Mercedes Benz has finally taken the wraps off the long awaited GLA compact crossover. The new GLA now has a longer wheelbase that has grown by 30 percent to 2729mm and the width has increased by 30 percent to 1834mm. The height meanwhile has gone up by 104 percent to 1611mm. Boot capacity too has seen an increase by 14 percent to 435 litres from earlier 421 litres.
Staying true to its crossover profile, the new GLA has grown in size and appears more contemporary than the car it replaces. Upfront it gets a large diamond studded grille flanked by a thick chrome bar holding the Mercedes Benz logo. The headlamps are now oval shaped and house new look daytime running lights as well, while lower down the bumper gets a black air dam with small fog lights on both sides and a silver skid plate.
The side profile doesn’t stray too far from the current GLA with glasshouse remaining almost identical in terms of styling; however the larger wheel wells and alloy wheels help differentiate it. The rear on the other hand sports a cleaner appearance with sleeker two piece taillamps and a bigger bumper with dual chrome exhausts on either side.
On the inside the new GLA comes finished in a mix of premium materials lending the cabin a luxurious feel. The centre console is dominated by the two piece central element that houses the 7-inch infortainment system which is a MBUX system and the fully digital instrument cluster.
The steering wheel is new too and it gets multiple controls integrated into it, while the chrome wrapped A/C vents continue with the turbine like design for a premium feel. Mercedes Benz says “The new GLA has grown in height by 10mm at 1,611mm and thus offers improved headroom in the front cabin and significantly greater legroom as well.”
Powering the new spec 2020 GLA is a 2.0 litre 4-cylinder petrol engine that produces 163hp at 5500rpm and 250Nm of torque at 1620-4000rpm. It comes mated to a 7-speed dual clutch transmission and can go from 0-100 kmph in 8.7 seconds with a top speed of 210kmph. The GLA for 2020 features 4MATIC all wheel drive package along with Macpherson strut at front and a sophisticated 4-link rear axle.
Mercedes Benz has also packed the new GLA with a variety of safety features. The list includes driver assistance package, Blind spot assist, Pre safe assist, and Traffic sign assist amongst others; however some of the features motioned above are optional and not standard equipment.
Mercedes Benz is expected to launch the GLA globally in the middle of next year, which means the 2020 all new GLA will hit Indian shores only towards the latter end of next year or end of 2020.
