Mercedes-Benz GLA crossover facelift has been unveiled at the ongoing 2017 Detroit Motor Show. The facelift comes after two years since the GLA was launched and gets cosmetic updates and a fresh interior to the crossover from Ingolstadt.
The new GLA now has a reworked fascia with redesigned front bumper, fresh avant-garde grille, and reworked LED headlamps. The headlamp units incorporate new DRLs and replaces the bi-xenon setup. The tail lamps get a smoky finish and new illumination design. The aerodynamics have been worked upon with an improved drag coefficient of 0.28. The facelift GLA is offered with a new body colour called canyon beige and has an increase ride-height owing to the optional off-road suspension.
On the inside, the GLA’s cabin has a new eight-inch infotainment screen and a revised instrument cluster. There is a 360-degree camera as seen on larger SUVs from Mercedes-Benz and dash of new chrome inserts all around the cabin. There are new upholsteries to choose from which also includes handmade leather. Safety features include assisted braking and attention assist.
In addition to the current engine options, the new GLA gets a new AWD variant in a form of GLA220 4MATIC which produces 184bhp and 300Nm. This variant slots in between GLA200 and GLA250. The diesel variants, however, remains unchanged.
The bonkers GLA45 AMG has been updates as well and gets new air intake grilles, a front splitter inserts in silver chrome plus flics in high-gloss black. The high-performance LED headlamps come as standard, with AMG grille and the 20-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels which can be had in two finishes. At the rear are new diffusers and roof spoiler. On the inside, the cabin is finished in bespoke AMG treatment. The turbocharged 2.0-litre engine with 376bhp and 475Nm is coupled with a short-shifting 7-speed SPEEDSHIFT transmission. The car propels from 0-100kmph in 4.4second and top speed is limited to 250kmph. The new GLA45 AMG is also available with a limited Yellow Night Edition, which gets gloss black paint with yellow highlights and the wheels sporting the same colour scheme.
The updated GLA will go on sale immediately and is expected to be launched in India sometime this year. The GLA will be assembled in India at the manufacturer’s Pune facility and will continue to compete with the likes of Volvo XC60, Audi Q3, Mini Countryman and BMW X1 in its segment.
