Mercedes-Benz has previewed the GLA compact SUV ahead of its official debut at the Shanghai Motor Show on April 20. The compact SUV is based on the German automaker’s MFA platform and will compete with the BMW X1 and the Audi Q3.
The crossover has been spied testing multiple numbers of times over the last few months and is expected to be shown in a production ready version during the Motor Show. The GLA will mostly be powered by the same set of engines that sit in the other MFA based cars. This means a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine in various states tune ranging from 122bhp to 211bhp and 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. The compact crossover will in fact will share many other components with the A-Class hatchback, B-Class tourer and the CLA sedan to keep costs in check.
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 GLA will also give Mercedes-Benz an entry into the rapidly expanding compact SUV/crossover segment.
