The GLA-Class compact SUV that Mercedes-Benz presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show this year and slated to hit dealerships in the spring, has gone into production at the Mercedes plant in Rastatt, Germany. The future crossover will be available in four versions, ranging in power from 136hp (GLA 200 CDI 4MATIC) to 211hp (GLA 250 4MATIC).
By 2020, Mercedes has a plan to be the number one luxury brand in the world. The new CLA-Class four-door coupe and GLA SUV are playing a major role in this. Dr. Dieter Zetsche Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars said, “The GLA is the next milestone in our Mercedes-Benz 2020 growth strategy.”
The most eco-friendly model in the line will be the Mercedes GLA 200 CDI, with its 136hp diesel engine and average CO2 emissions of 114g/km. The most powerful model, meanwhile, is the Mercedes GLA 250 4MATIC, which can accelerate from 0 to 100km/h in 6.5s and reach a top speed of 235km/h. The latter model’s fuel consumption averages out at 7.1L/100km, which translates into CO2 emissions of 151g/km.
The Mercedes GLA will have the latest version of Mercedes’s branded all-wheel drive system, 4MATIC, designed to distribute power effectively among the wheels. It also includes a collision-prevention system to avoid crashes at speeds of over 7km/h, a rear park assist feature, and the option to automatically cap the vehicle’s top speed at 200km/h.
The Mercedes GLA is the latest arrival in the increasingly competitive market for entry-level, compact SUVs or crossovers. The new Mercedes line will be competing with the BMW X1 and Audi Q3 lines, to name a few.
