Facelifted Mercedes-Benz GLA now in South Africa
With design, personal flair, and variety being important to Mercedes-Benz customers, the manufacturer sure has its work cut out for it! Thankfully, it’s getting it right so there is no need for drastic changes to the new GLA.
We first saw it the GLA back in 2013, it was the first compact SUV from the German marque and quickly became a popular option for customers. The facelifted GLA was seen at the Detroit Motor show earlier this year and now it has hit South African shores.
The changes to the look of this car are not extensive, in fact you will need to look closely to see them. The bumpers have been modified and you have a choice of a new alloy wheel and new colours including “canyon beige”. Off-road comfort suspension is standard and the body is now 30 millimetres higher. Customers can choose between three chassis variants and lowered suspension is available on request.
Step inside and you will be met by a segment exclusive, a 360-degree camera. You will sit on new seat covers and trim parts and look at new dials and needles. The luxury Exclusive package supplements the previous Exclusive package with luxury seats featuring SUV-specific black leather in a buffalo look. The trim parts used here are a choice of trapezium-grain aluminium, light brown satin-finish poplar wood, plus high-gloss brown walnut. Especially exclusive: matt black ash wood or AMG trim parts in carbon fibre.
If sportiness is what you are after never fear, because the previous Exclusive package with standard sports seats remains optionally available.
On the engine front, you can choose a 1,6-litre turbopetrol (GLA200) or the 2,0-litre turbocharged petrol engine (GLA250 4MATIC). If diesel is what you are after then you can opt for the 2,1-litre turbodiesel which comes in two states of tune; 100kW/300 N.m (GLA200d) or 130kW/350 N.m (GLA220d 4MATIC).
What you really want to know about is the Mercedes-AMG GLA45 4MATIC don’t you? Well this turbocharged 2,0-litre offering gives you 280 KW of power and a whopping 475 N.m of torque. It is mated to a 7-speed dual clutch sport transmission and can get you to 100km/h in just 4,4 seconds.
If you want to go all out, you can opt for the Yellow Night Edition which means it sports night black or cosmos black with matt graphite grey and yellow details.
Yellow highlights characterise the front apron, the exterior mirror housings, the inserts in the side skirts, the rear diffuser and the rear wing (on the A 45 4MATIC and GLA 45 4MATIC). The special character is additionally emphasised by the AMG sports stripes in matt graphite grey (foiled) on the bonnet, roof, boot lid and sides of the car.
MERCEDES-BENZ GLA PRICING
GLA200: R485 400
GLA250 4MATIC: R654 700
GLA200d: R513 000
GLA220d 4MATIC: R592 500
Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 4MATIC: R856 700
GLA45 4MATIC Yellow Night Edition: R961 700