The compact SUV Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class, officially shown in September 2013 at the Frankfurt Motor Show, became the first "brainchild" of the German automaker in this class. With its appearance, it not only allowed "Mercedes crossovers" to cover the entire spectrum of this segment of the automotive market (due to which the car market has been growing recently), but also to attract a young audience.
Since then, the SUV has undergone only minor adjustments in the palette of engines and equipment, but at the very beginning of 2017, it finally underwent a full-fledged update and celebrated the official premiere at the North American Motor Show in Detroit.
The main changes during the modernization affected the appearance and electronic equipment, but did not pass by the power line - the car was separated by a new gasoline modification.
The Germans have worked very meticulously on the design of the Mercedes-Benz GLA. The car turned out to be attractive, stylish and dynamic, just the way young people should like it. "Sly face" with beautiful headlights and a "family" radiator grille with two "bars", a swift silhouette with embossed "folds" on the sidewalls and a lowered roofline, fried stern with LED lights and two rectangular pipes embedded in the bumper - it looks "German “Excellent, but perceived more like a car than a crossover.
The length of the Mercedes-Benz GLA is 4424 mm, the width does not exceed (typical for the class) 1804 mm, but the height fits into a small 1494 mm (which creates an image of "special compactness"). The wheelbase of the car reaches 2699 mm, and its ground clearance is "not crossover" 154 mm.
Interior
The decoration of the SUV is designed in the same way as the rest of the brand's models - inside the five-door looks beautiful, fashionable and interesting. The center console primarily attracts attention with a free-standing 7-inch "tablet" of the multimedia system, but also houses well-arranged audio and climate control units. The instrument cluster, represented by a pair of analog "saucers" and an on-board computer screen between them, and a three-spoke multi-steering wheel, fit perfectly into the overall picture. As befits a Mercedes, the GLA's interior is made of high quality exclusively from premium finishing materials.
The SUV's interior does not indulge in an excess of free space either in the front or in the back, however, adult riders will be able to sit down without any problems in both cases. The front seats are endowed with a well-thought-out profile with distinct lateral support bolsters and a sufficient number of adjustments, and the rear sofa is molded for two people (although it can accept a third on short trips).
Fans of outdoor activities and frequent trips out of town will surely be pleased with the trunk of a car, which can accommodate 421 liters of payload (in normal condition) or 1235 liters (with the backs of the rear seats folded down). However, the basic volume of the trunk can be "increased" to 481 liters - if you order a special package "Load Compartment".
Specifications
On the Russian market, the Mercedes-Benz GLA is offered with two gasoline engines working in tandem exclusively with a 7-speed "robot":
- In the "base" crossover (GLA 200) is equipped with an aluminum 1.6-liter unit of the M270 family with four cylinders, a low-inertia turbocharger, a direct injection mechanism for adjusting the travel of the intake valves and phase shifters at the exhaust and intake, generating 150 "horses" at 5300 rpm and 250 Nm of ultimate thrust at 1250- 4000 rpm.
- A more powerful option (GLA 250 4Matic) - a four-cylinder 2.0-liter turbocharged engine with variable valve timing and direct "power", which has 211 horsepower at 5500 rpm and 350 Nm of torque at 1200-4000 rpm.
For the "junior" engine, only the front-wheel drive transmission is reserved, while the "senior" one has a plug-in all-wheel drive "4Matic", equipped with a multi-plate clutch with electrohydraulic control. Under normal conditions, all the torque is delivered to the front wheels, and if necessary, up to 50% of the thrust is transmitted to the rear axle.
In other markets, this SUV is also offered with a 1.6-liter "four", developing 122-150 "horses" and 200-250 Nm, and a wide range of diesel units with a volume of 1.5-2.1 liters, producing 109-177 horsepower and 260-350 Nm torque. They are combined not only with the "robot", but also with the 6-speed "mechanics".
Speed, dynamics, consumption
Before the first "hundred" Mercedes-Benz GLA starts after 7.1-8.8 seconds, and the maximum during acceleration rests at 215-230 km / h.
Depending on the modification, the "German" digests from 5.9 to 6.6 liters of fuel in a combined travel mode for 100 kilometers.
Design features
Crossover Mercedes-Benz GLA is built on the MFA platform and has a monocoque body with several zones of additional reinforcement in the area of the bottom, front shock absorber cups, B-pillars and side members.
The front independent suspension of the novelty is based on MacPherson struts, and the rear is a multi-link design with levers oriented in different planes, which makes it easier and clearer to control the lateral and longitudinal dynamics of the car. Some of the suspension components of the new crossover are made of aluminum alloys, and for all-wheel drive versions, additional elements are provided to strengthen the chassis structure.
The rack and pinion steering of the Mercedes-Benz GLA is complemented by a modern electromechanical power steering with variable transmission ratio. Already in the "base" this car "flaunts" the ESP and DSR (Downhill Speed Regulation) systems - which is paired with all-wheel drive. The latter allows you to regulate the speed of movement on steep descents, in a constant mode maintaining the set speed and activating emergency braking if necessary.
Options and prices
On the Russian market, Mercedes-Benz GLA of the first generation in March 2020 is offered in two versions to choose from GLA 200 and GLA 250 4Matic: for the "younger" they ask for at least 2,310,000 rubles, while the "senior" will cost from 2 730,000 rubles.
The list of basic equipment of the crossover includes: seven airbags, air conditioning, ABS, ESP, cruise control, automatic parking system, front and rear parking sensors, electric drive and heated mirrors, full LED optics, light and rain sensors, 17-inch alloy wheels, audio system with six speakers, heated front seats, power windows for all doors and other modern "gadgets".
