Short on the heels of the update on its GLB range, Mercedes-Benz also took a closer look at its GLA and made a couple of changes.
Exterior:
From the outside, there is a new radiator grille with vertical louvres and horizontal fins. In addition, the bonnet, with discreetly suggested power domes, underscores the self-confident appearance, says the manufacturer. The redesigned front bumper with visual underride protection points to the GLA's off‑road heritage.
Added to this is the modernised light signature in the standard LED High Performance front headlights and the LED rear lights. Mercedes-Benz is expanding the range of options with the new Spectral Blue paint colour and four additional wheel designs.
Interior:
Inside is a new free-standing double screen with 7-inch and a 10.25-inch display as standard for the instrument cluster and multimedia screen, respectively. Two 10.25-inch wide-screen displays are optionally available.
Mercedes-Benz has significantly upgraded the standard equipment of the GLA and tailored the offer logic even more precisely to specific customer wishes. For example, in addition to the leather steering wheel and LED front headlights, the basic equipment already includes Highbeam Assist, a backup camera and the USB package.
Equipment:
The GLA now also features the latest generation of MBUX – with newly designed display styles: while "Classic" provides all relevant driver information, "Sporty" impresses with the dynamic rev counter. "Discreet" reduces the displays to the essential content.
In combination with the three Navigation, Assistance and Services modes plus the 10 colour worlds of Ambient Light, there are numerous individualisation options. All previous functions such as Media, Phone, Vehicle etc are still available. They can be conveniently operated via the touchscreen or the finger pads on the steering wheel.
Range and prices:
The range includes four-cylinder units (diesel & petrol) with eight-speed DCT dual-clutch transmissions as standard equipment. The mild hybrids are equipped with an additional 48-volt on-board power supply for the belt-driven starter-generator.
The GLA 200 (1.3-litre turbo petrol with 120 kW and 270 Nm) is R914 950 and the GLA 200d (2-litre turbo-diesel with 110 kW and 320 Nm) costs R950 850.
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Foton has started building vehicles in South Africa, and the first overseas vehicle manufacturing base of BAIC Group is now in Gqeberha.
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