Frankfurt Auto Show 2013: Mercedes-Benz GLA

Team OD Published: September 12, 2013, 05:01 PM IST

Mercedes-Benz's compact SUV has finally been unveiled in production form at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show

Mercedes-Benz's compact SUV has finally been unveiled in production form at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show and it's coming to India very soon. The GLA is based on the A-Class platform and shares a lot with the hatchback. The GLA is the German manufacturer's first compact SUV and is expected to be an agile and sporty vehicle. As with the new Mercedes-Benz models, the GLA looks stunning and carries forward the new design language. The overall dimensions make it slightly larger than a super mini. It still is an SUV and hence features the 4MATIC permanent all-wheel drive system with a fully variable torque distribution system. It is the fifth SUV in the Mercedes portfolio and is currently available only in petrol form.

One can see a typical Merc layout lined with a new found sportiness as is evident from the red needles in the meter cluster

The GLA features the familiar 2.0-litre, four cylinder engine capable of producing 208PS. The turbocharged, direct-injection motor is claimed to propel the GLA from standstill to 100kmph in just 6.5 seconds and will be mated to the 7-speed dual-clutch auto transmission. A front wheel drive variant will also be available when it's launched by early 2015 in the U.S. India will also get the GLA, expect the SUV to come out by mid 2014. India will mostly get a diesel version even; expect it to feature the same 2.2-litre diesel engine as seen in the A and B-Class. The SUV will be sold as a CBU initially so expect it to be priced between Rs 30 and Rs 35 lakh depending on the variants. Inside, one can see a typical Merc layout lined with a new found sportiness as is evident from the red needles in the meter cluster. The GLA will however be not the most spacious in its class due to the sloping roofline which eats into valuable headroom.

The GLA may not be the most spacious in its class due to the sloping roofline.