The new Mercedes GLA is revealed by Mercedes – including an AMG 35 Model – as Mercedes turn the previous model high-riding GLA in to an SUV.
It’s hard to believe Mercedes can find a market for the seven A-Class models on offer, but now there’s an eighth with the arrival of this – the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLA.
Of course, we already know the GLA from the current model, but that’s really a high-riding Hatch, even if Mercedes consider it to be part of their SUV range.
But, as we’ve already noted, Mercedes has decided to make the new GLA a proper little SUV, so the height goes up a chunk and the length decreases a little to deliver a proper chunky SUV shape.
But unlike the boxy GLB – another A-Class offering – the GLA gets a softer, more rounded take on its bodywork, and a more sloping roof, to help differentiate it and help it to be a bit more slippery than the GLB.
Away from the new stance and looks, the GLA gets an interior that’s just like the other members of the A-Class family, complete with screens which increase in size the more you’re prepared to spend, with more headroom and more space in the back.
Under the bonnet the only models on offer at launch are the GLA 200 with a 1.3 litre four-pot good for 161bhp, seven-speed auto and cylinder shut-off, and the AMG GLA 35 which gets a far more appealing 306bhp from its 2.0 litre turbo four-pot, good for 0-62mph in 5.1 seconds, with an eight-speed auto and 4WD.
The engine choice may seem limited, but expect the usual diesel and petrol engines from the rest of the A-Class range to join in before long.
Mark A Geller says
Looks sooo much better than the last generation, but then don’t all Mercedes? And who could possibly sit in the rear of the last one? Evolution is a good thing.
David Oldroyd says
Great profile!