Merc's new GLA crossover exposed

Published Apr 17, 2013

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The compact softroader class is where a lot of the action is happening these days, and Mercedes-Benz will be getting in on it with the GLA.

The one you see here is technically a concept car but tone down some of the details and you'll have a pretty good idea of how the showroom version will look when it hits global kerbsides in about a year from now.

Based on the A-Class platform, the GLA Concept is slightly shorter than a Toyota RAV4 but it is somewhat wider and its dimensions are clearly in tune with a sportier crossover. It will compete directly with the BMW X1 and Audi Q3

The GLA will make use of Merc's 4Matic permanent all-wheel drive system and while the show car is said to have the A250's 155kW 2-litre turbopetrol linked to the 7G-DCT transmission, the production model will have a wide range of engines.

Naturally, these will come from the A-Class, so in addition to the aforementioned 2.0T, expect a 115kW 1.6 turbopetrol at entry level and a 125kW/350Nm 2.1-litre on the diesel front.

Of course, AMG will also get its crazy hands on the little crossover, so expect the A 45 -based GLA 45 to blow the Subaru Forester XT into the weeds with its 268kW 2-litre twin-turbo motor.

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