Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class launched in India at Rs 32.75 lakh

Mercedes-Benz has launched the GLA-Class in India at a price of Rs 32.75 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) at an event in New Delhi, today. The GLA-Class is the Stuttgart-based carmaker’s first attempt to make its presence felt in the compact luxury SUV/crossover space.  We saw the India-spec model at the 2014 Auto Expo.

We have already driven the GLA-Class. This car is modelled on Mercedes-Benz’s Modular Front Architecture (MFA) platform—the other cars made on this platform are the A-Class, the B-Class and the CLA-Class. The GLA is available in two variants. Style - only in diesel and Sport in both petrol and diesel. The GLA is not one of the larger SUVs in the segment, but it gets more than a few cosmetic elements that make it look bigger and its road presence can testify to that. The GLA gets the Avantgarde grille. The front is a combination of the A-Class and the B-Class with the addition of the big air intake on the bumper with brushed aluminium surrounds and the car sits on 18-inch, five-spoke  alloy wheels .

For the cabin, the car gets the same features that are common to the MFA platform, namely, rotary AC vents, tiny LCD display, the positions of the cup holders and the 12V socket. The colours used on the inside are either beige or black in line with the exterior and the main difference is the features list. The front seats get power seats with memory function while the car also boasts of navigation, engine start/stop function, seven airbags for safety, panoramic sunroof, ambient lights and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon music system.

The GLA will be available with both the petrol and diesel engines. Both use the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and send power to the front wheels only. Mercedes has decided not to offer the AWD option with the standard GLA but it will be a part of the AMG version that will go on sale in October. The petrol version is powered by the same 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder unit that is used in the E-Class 200 CGI. It delivers 181bhp and 300Nm of torque. The other option, an oil-burner  uses the 2.2-litre unit delivering 134bhp and 300Nm of torque. The diesel has an ARAI efficiency figure of 17.9kpl; the figures of the petrol variant are at 13.8kpl.

The GLA-Class competes against BMW X1, the Audi Q3 and the Volvo V40 Cross Country. Eberhard Kern, Managing Director & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India said that this car has received 600+ pre-launch bookings in mere 18 days.

Prices of the Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class (ex-showroom Delhi)

GLA 200 CDI Style : Rs 32.75 lakh

GLA 200 Sport : Rs 36 lakh

GLA 200 CDI Sport: Rs 36.9 lakh