Mercedes-Benz has released official images of the GLA compact crossover ahead of its 2013 Shanghai Motor Show debut. The compact crossover has been spied testing over the last few months and was previewed by the German automaker on April 17 via a computer rendering.
As per the official press release, the five door vehicle is 4.3 meters in length, 1.9 meters high and 1.5 meters wide, roughly the same proportions as a Renault Duster. The compact SUV is based on the German automaker’s MFA platform and will compete with the BMW X1 and the Audi Q3.
On the front, the compact SUV gets a slightly domed hood that is complemented by a large three-pointed star as well as a large front grille. On the sides, the GLA gets special OVRMs that have been fitted on twin struts as well as recessed door handles that appear at the touch of a button.
It sits on large 20-inch wheels that have been given a special five-spoke design and is also an indication of what future Mercedes-Benz alloy wheels will look like. The roof line slopes towards the rear and there aerodynamic creases on the sides to aid in airflow.
At the back, the GLA gets twin rectangular exhausts that have been integrated into the rear diffuser. The rear light assembly is completely LED and is integrated on the rear door. Mercedes-Benz has also fitted a rear-spoiler on the top of the boot door to add to the sporty look of the vehicle.
The GLA has adapted the same interiors as the A-Class, B-Class and the CLA sedan. The overall design is the same but the upholstery has been trimmed in a different shade and the back lighting in the air con vents change colours depending on the ambient internal temperature. In the boot the luggage can be secured using a four point harness and the rear seats can fold down for more cargo space.
The GLA will be powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo charged petrol engine producing 209PS and 349Nm of torque. We also expect a diesel mill of the same capacity producing 170bhp. Power will be transmitted to the wheels via a seven-speed dual clutch gearbox and the (optional) 4matic four-wheel drive system.
However, the GLA’s party piece is its new laser-based headlamps that are capable of projecting images and video onto a screen or any other surface. The car has also been fitted with a pair of HD cameras on the roof rack and this along with ‘projector’ headlights should make quite a good combination.
The GLA is a part of the German automakers sub Rs 25 lakh range of front-wheel drive cars that it plans to introduce in the Indian market over the next two years. The first car in this range was the B-Class tourer that was launched in October 2012 and this will be followed by the A-Class in July this year. The car will officially be unveiled at the Shanghai Motor Show that is slated to begin on April 21. Stay tuned to CarWale for all the details from the event.
