Mercedes-Benz GLA launched at Rs 32.75 lakh

Looking to fill a gap in its India line-up, Mercedes-Benz has launched its entry-level compact SUV, the GLA priced at Rs 36 lakh for the petrol powered GLA 200, and Rs 32.75 lakh for the GLA 200 CDI (ex-showroom, Delhi) The current top-spec model will be the GLA 200 CDI Sport priced at Rs 36.9 lakh. Till date Mercedes hasn’t had a single offering in the crucial compact luxury SUV segment, unlike its rivals Audi and BMW, who have been selling the Q3 and X1, respectively.

Like the A-Class, B-Class, and CLA, the GLA is also based on Mercedes’ MFA (Modular Front Architecture) platform, as such shares plenty, including its styling, with the A-Class. The headlights in particular resemble those on the hatchback, though the GLA adds more muscle to that face with a beefier grille sporting two thick slats, a hood that adds to the SUV stance, and the flaired wheel arches. It looks squat from the front and the rear thanks to the extra width and fatter tyres, which grabs attention on the road. Skid plates at the front and rear, and twin exhausts at the back add to the muscular stance. 18-inch alloys are standard with both variants.

Even on the inside, the GLA looks and feels a lot like its hatchback sibling, especially with the display screen sitting at the top of the centre console. However the design of the dash looks slightly different. Even with its ‘entry level’ status, the GLA offer plently of equipment including, a reversing camera, a Harman Kardonn sound system,

India will only get the 1.6-litre turbo-petrol motor developing 154bhp and 250Nm of torque, and an up-rated version of the same 2,143cc turbo-diesel used in the A 180 CDI and B 180 CDI, which in this car makes 134bhp and 300Nm of peak torque. Both engines come mated to a seven-speed DCT dual clutch automatic that sends power to the front wheels. While there is speculation that the GLA 220 CDI, with the same 2.1-litre turbo-diesel now producing 168bhp and 350Nm of torque, will come to India, the German manufacturer has confirmed that we will get the range-topping GLA 45 AMG. Possessing the most powerful four-cylinder engine in production, the same 355bhp 2.0-litre turbo-petyrol mill as in the CLA 45 AMG, the GLA 45 AMG will launch sometime in October.

Based on the pricing, it seems like the GLA is on par with its rivals in the entry-level luxury compact SUV segment, as the Audi Q3 starts at Rs 25.3 lakh, and goes to Rs 39 lakh, while the BMW X1 is priced between Rs 30.7 and 36 lakh (all prices ex-showroom, Delhi)

Specifications

VariantGLA 200GLA 200 CDIEngineIn-line 4-cyl, 1595cc, turbo petrolIn-line 4-cyl, 2143cc, turbo dieselTransmission7-speed DCT (dual-clutch automatic)7-speed DCT (dual-clutch automatic)Power154bhp @ 5300 rpm134bhp @ 3400–4000rpmTorque250Nm @ 1250–4000rpm300Nm @ 1400–3000rpmWeight1395kg1505kg0–100kmph8.9 seconds (claimed)10 seconds (claimed)Top speed215kmph (claimed)205kmph (claimedFuel efficiency16.94kmpl (claimed)23.26kmpl (claimed)Price (ex-showroom, Delhi)Rs 36 lakhRs 36.9 lakh