The second-generation GLA is built on the front-wheel-drive MFA platform, which is already used in the new A-Class, the CLA sedan and estate, the B-Class compact MPV, and the recently unveiled GLB crossover.
The new Mercedes-Benz GLA stretches 4410 mm in length, 2020 mm in width, and 1611 mm in height. Compared to its predecessor, the car has become 14 mm shorter and 2 mm narrower, but has grown in height by as much as 104 mm. The wheelbase has increased by 30 mm, reaching 2729 mm.
The base engine is a 1.33-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, developed by Daimler together with Renault. This unit, paired with a seven-speed robotic gearbox, produces 163 horsepower and 250 Nm of torque. For the Russian market, the engine's power will be reduced to 150 horsepower to lower the vehicle tax.
The AMG version with the index 35 is equipped with a two-liter turbo engine producing 306 horsepower and 400 newton-meters. The engine works in conjunction with an eight-speed robotic gearbox and an all-wheel-drive system. Acceleration to 100 km/h for such a crossover takes 5.1 seconds, and the top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h.
The new model will receive the MBUX multimedia system with a fully digital instrument cluster, which is visually combined with a touchscreen that supports natural speech recognition. In addition, the junior crossover has adopted a number of functions from the flagship GLS. Among them is a special button for the car wash: when activated, the car seals the windows and sunroof, folds the exterior mirrors, and switches the climate control to recirculation mode.
The public debut of the car is scheduled for March 2020 at the Geneva Motor Show. It is expected that the crossover will go on sale at dealers in the spring of next year, with prices and trim levels announced closer to the start of sales.
