A nip here, a tuck there, throw in a few more features and out comes a brawnier Mercedes Benz GLA that looks more SUV than car. This A-Class based crossover is cheaper than the outgoing model by a couple of lakhs. The 2017 Mercedes Benz GLA is priced between Rs 30.65 lakh and Rs 36.75 lakh ex-showroom (all-India) post the roll out of GST.
Prices of the Mercedes Benz GLA
GLA 200D Style (Diesel): Rs 30.65 lakh
GLA 200 Sport (Petrol): Rs 32.20 lakh
GLA 200D Sport (Diesel): Rs 33.85 lakh
GLA 220D 4Matic (Diesel): Rs 36.75 lakh
What's New?
The changes to the Mercedes Benz GLA are mainly cosmetic. It comes with a new front bumper design that looks more aggressive. The grille too gets a honeycomb pattern with two aluminium-finished slats flanking the three-pointed star emblem.
The headlamps are now all-LED units (earlier one had projectors and bi-xenons) with new fibre-optic daytime running lamps. At the rear too the tail-lamps are now all-LED units. There's a minor change to the bonnet, which now gets a couple of contours. The 18-inch alloy wheels feature a new 5-spoke design.
Inside the GLA, not much has changed except for the infotainment system. It now comes with an 8-inch display unit (earlier one had a 7-inch screen) which features Apple Car Play and Android Auto. The instrument cluster too has some minor differences, such as chrome rings around the dials. It features ambient lighting with 12 different colour settings and illuminated door plates.
The earlier standard features such as a dual panoramic sunroof, beige leather upholstery, dual zone climate control and Mercedes trademark 'Command' centre for the infotainment system.
Engine Choices
The Mercedes Benz GLA comes with three engine choices - a 2-litre (1,991 cc), four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine that puts out 183 bhp of power and 300 Nm of torque, a 2.1 litre (2,143 cc), four-cylinder diesel that puts out 136 bhp of power and 300 Nm of torque, and the same 2.1 litre engine in a more powerful state of tune that puts out 170 bhp of power and 350 Nm of torque. The last one comes with the 4-Matic all-wheel drive system. All variants get a 7-speed dual clutch automatic transmission.
Mercedes has give the GLA better off-road credentials now with a 30 mm increase in ground clearance to 220 mm. It's not really big, being just 4.424 metres in length, with a wheel base of 2,699 mm. Rear seat space is a bit cramped, and it comes with 421 litres of boot space, which is similar to that in the Jeep Compass, but smaller than the Volkswagen Tiguan.
The GLA is available in five colour choices - beige, grey , silver, red and white. It competes with the BMW X1, Audi Q3 and the Volkswagen Tiguan, in terms of positioning and utility.
Watch this space for a full review of the Mercedes Benz GLA.
Mercedes Benz GLA Specifications
Length: 4,424 mm
Width: 1,804 mm
Height: 1,494 mm
Wheelbase: 2,699 mm
Kerb weight: 1,525 Kg - 1,656 Kg
Boot space: 421 litres
Ground Clearance: 220 mm
Engine: 1991 cc petrol / 2143 cc diesel
Power: 183 bhp / 136 bhp / 170 bhp
Torque: 300 Nm / 300 Nm / 350 Nm
Transmission: 7-speed automatic
Drive type: Front wheel drive / all-wheel drive
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