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Benz’s small crossover hides under an A-class body.
What It Is: Mercedes-Benz’s new GLA compact crossover undergoing testing in an undisguised A-class hatchback body. However, the prototype in the photos is sitting quite a bit higher than any A-class we’ve seen, so unless this is the L.L. Bean Edition A250 anticipated by absolutely no one, it in fact is a GLA crossover in disguise.
We’ve known for some time now that Mercedes has been prepping a small, A-class–based soft-roader to slot below the GLK in the Benz lineup. As for the small ute’s name, the money now is on GLA-class—the high-rider has previously been referred to as the GLC, but GLA nicely parallels the forthcoming and equally A-class–based CLA sedan. The GLA should arrive in the U.S. sometime next year as a 2014 model.
Why It Matters: The compact-luxury-crossover segment is heating up worldwide, and several of Benz’s competitors either are offering or soon will offer entries in the United States. For example, BMW will sell the X1 here, and Audi announced at this year’s Detroit auto show that it will bring its Q3 to America, too.
Platform: Mercedes will utilize the latest A-class’s platform in a number of new models, including the GLA. Given the A-class bones, the GLA will be front-drive-based, but it will offer all-wheel drive as an option if not as standard. We have not yet gotten a peek at what the GLA will look like, but based both on logic and an artist’s rendering we previously published, it likely will resemble the A-class, only taller and with more macho detailing. The GLA should deliver decent dynamics if the new A-class is anything to go by—we recently drove the small hatch in Europe and came away very impressed.
Powertrain: Like the A-class, the GLA will offer a range of turbocharged four-cylinder gas and diesel powerplants. Look for the GLA’s gas offerings to displace up to 2.0 liters, with Benz’s 1.8 and 2.1-liter diesels rounding out the powertrain lineup, at least in Europe. Expect the largest gas and possibly diesel engines to make it here; Americans soon will be able to spec the 2.1-liter diesel in the GLK250, so there is precedent. A six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic will be offered, although don’t hold your breath for the stick to make it to the U.S. order sheet.
Competition: Audi Q3, BMW X1, Mini Countryman, Range Rover Evoque.
Estimated Arrival Time: The GLA is expected to go on sale next year in regular-grade form, but a hotter version may not be far behind: That model appeared to be among the vehicles presented under sheets in a photo released by AMG. If a GLA AMG is indeed on the way, expect it to borrow its 350-hp turbo four and all-wheel drive from the upcoming CLA45 AMG sedan and be called the—you guessed it—GLA45.
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