Mercedes-Benz has been putting up quite a show in the Indian market with a spree of new model launches this year. And the show continued with the launch of the GLA crossover earlier this week, priced between INR 32.75 Lakhs for the base diesel variant 'Style' and INR 36.9 Lakhs for the top-end diesel variant 'Sport'. In between, there is a sole petrol variant in 'Sport' trim that retails for INR 36 Lakhs. All prices are ex-showroom Delhi.
Competing with Audi and BMW for supremacy in the premium segment, Mercedes-Benz was kind of handicapped without the presence of a compact crossover or Sport Utility Vehicle in its lineup, given that Audi's Q3 and BMW's X1 were adding significant numbers to the monthly sales tally of the respective brands. The launch of the GLA puts the brand with the three pointed star on an equal footing with its fellow German compatriots.
Following the A-Class, B-Class and the CLA45 AMG, the GLA is the fourth Mercedes-Benz model to be based on the Modular Front Architecture (MFA) platform that's been making waves globally for increasing the affordability quotient of the brand. The GLA is quite a looker, with the raised stance and beefy wheel arches all around giving it that all-important SUV look. At the front, the big twin-slat grille with the huge three-pointed star logo in the center and the xenon headlamps their the characteristic 'kinks' are sure to attract curious stares. The raised stance and the beefy wheel arches show their mettle in profile while the nicely-detailed taillamps and the twin exhausts are the highlights at the rear. The bumpers have metallic inserts with a matte finish, adding a touch of class.
The interiors too are shared with its siblings from the same platform. On first glance, the beige upholstery and the metallic finish in the dashboard appears to be key differentiators. As we have said before, the SLS-inspired circular air-conditioning vents and the tablet-like Multimedia screen on top of the dashboard look good. The GLA comes fully loaded with a lot of kit that include a panoramic sunroof, Harman-Kardon sound system, satellite navigation, rear-view camera, electrically-adjustable front seats and an infotainment system with a 14.7 cm screen, CD and MP3 compatibility and USB and Bluetooth connectivity. As usual, a full array of safety features that include seven airbags, Antilock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Brake Assist System (BAS), Anti-Skid Regulation (ASR) and Hill Start Assist are standard on the GLA.
Two 4-cylinder engines, a 2.0-liter petrol that generates 181 bhp at 5500 rpm and 300 Nm of torque between 1200 to 1400 rpm and a 2.2-liter diesel that develops 134 bhp between 3600 to 4400 rpm and 300 Nm of torque between 1600 to 3000 rpm, power the GLA. Both are mated to a 7-speed, dual-clutch automatic transmission. In what is a total contrast to the strategy adopted for the CLA compact four-door coupe, the performance-oriented GLA45 AMG is expected to arrive in India a few months down the line.
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