Hot cross Merc: GLA 45 lands in SA

Published Aug 29, 2014

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Johannesburg - For those who prefer their 45 AMG badges a little on the rugged side, Mercedes-Benz this week launched one of the quickest hiking boots in SA - the GLA 45 AMG. This pocket-rocket SUV fires 265kW and 450Nm to all four wheels courtesy of the most powerful series-production four-cylinder engine on the planet, in the form of a two-litre turbo directly from AMG. The little tyke should get from standstill to 100km/h in 4.8 seconds, is governed to 250km/h, is paired to an AMG Speedshift DCT seven-speed sports auto (with launch control), and should you seriously feather the throttle Mercedes suggests consumption in the region of 7.5 litres per 100km.

SERIAAS SOUNDTRACK

The GLA 45 may follow in the path of the A 45 and CLA 45, but in SUV terms it’s more a sibling to the ML 63 AMG, GL 63 AMG, and G 63 AMG. Throttle response in the 45 should be strong and immediate thanks to the use of a twin-scroll turbo pushing 1.8 bar; while the AMG sports exhaust system, combined with the car’s double-declutching functionality, should ensure a seriaas soundtrack.

And yes, within the three-stage ESP is a Sport setting for those hair-on-fire moments - while Curve Dynamic Assist (which acts as an electronic limited-slip diff), speed-sensitive steering, Hamilton-spec AMG sports suspension, and a high-performance braking system should all keep this stormy SUV on tar.

Its picture should paint a thousand go-faster words here.

A set of twin-spoke 19” alloys, front splitters and air deflectors, twin-blade radiator grille, pigeon-swallowing air-intakes, AMG fender-lettering, side sills, rear diffuser and rectangular tailpipes all finish off a menacing package.

The GLA 45 cockpit follows suit with strokes of brushed aluminium, sports seats with red seat belts, and sports steering wheel and pedals - but enthusiasts will like the Racetimer for those track days, and the special AMG menus showing things such as oil temperature, gearbox and traction settings.

The GLA 45 AMG is yours for R740 100 - or add R75 000 and get the limited-production Edition 1, which ups the ante with exclusive finishes and colours inside and out, and throws in Edition 1 branding - but no, there’s no additional power here. - Star Motoring

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