Mercedes-Benz GLA India details revealed

The Mercedes-Benz GLA is one of the most awaited cars of 2014. Its biggest rivals, the BMW X1 and the Audi Q3 have both been in the market for a few years now and have seen remarkable success. Mercedes-Benz’s entry into the compact-SUV segment has been late but with the GLA’s coupe looks fused into a compact SUV dimension, a choice of both petrol or diesel engine and a Mercedes-Benz badge up front is most likely to ensure success. ZigWheels has managed to procure some details including the crucial engine specs for the upcoming SUV.

The Mercedes-Benz GLA, based on the same platform as the A-Class and the B-Class will get two engine options, a petrol and a diesel, both more powerful than the ones found on the A-Class and B-Class. The petrol, badged GLA200 Sport will come with a 1.6-litre, 4-cylinder, turbocharged, direct injection engine making 156PS of peak power at 3500rpm and 250Nm of peak torque between 1250–4000rpm. This Euro 6 compliant engine will be capable of propelling the GLA200 from 0-100kmph in 8.9-seconds on to a claimed top speed of 205kmph.

India though predominantly is a diesel driven market, and the GLA will come with a new 2.1-litre, 4-cylinder, turbocharged diesel engine. Badged the GLA200 CDi, the engine produces 136PS of peak power between 3400–4000rpm and 300Nm of peak torque between 1400–3000rpm. With a top speed of 205kmph and a claimed 0-100 time of 10-seconds, the diesel is only marginally slower than the sportier petrol. Both the petrol and diesel engines will be mated to Mercedes-Benz’s tried and tested 7G-DCT automatic transmission with a dual clutch setup. We expect the petrol GLA to also get paddle shifters on the steering wheel just like in the A-Class and B-Class.

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The Mercedes-Benz GLA is expected to be packed with goodies like 18-inch wheels, bi-xenon headlamps with integrated LED daytime running lights, park assist with parking camera as standard. The Mercedes compact SUV will also get nine airbags, Mercedes Command infotainment system with Bluetooth, USB, AUX and iPod controls, dual zone climate control and a panoramic glass roof with electronic sunroof. The GLA will come with five seats just like the A-Class and the B-Class.

Both the GLA200 Sport and GLA200 CDi are currently in India undergoing homologation and product testing. We can expect the Mercedes-Benz GLA to be launched in India in the next few months and priced between Rs 25-35 lakh (ex-showroom). There will also be an all-wheel-drive or 4Matic model of the GLA and a AMG powered GLA45 version that follows.