Another month, another Mercedes car launch! Mercedes-Benz Malaysia pulled a hat trick of launches with their third model in three months, the GLA-Class, at Zouk Club Kuala Lumpur.
The premium compact SUV GLA is available in 3 variants. The GLA 200 retails for RM 238,888, GLA 250 4MATIC for RM 268,888 and the top of the line GLA 45 AMG for RM 378,888. All prices offered without insurance.
QUICK FACTS
| Name | Mercedes-Benz GLA 200 “Urban Line” | Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 4MATIC “AMG Line” with “Night” package | Mercedes-Benz GLA 45 AMG “Edition 1” |
| Segment | D-Segment SUV | ||
| Engine | 1,595cc 4 in-line, turbocharged | 1,991cc 4 in-line, turbocharged | 1,991cc 4 in-line, turbocharged |
| Transmission | 7G-DCT Dual Clutch Automatic | 7G-DCT Dual Clutch Automatic | AMG Speedshift DCT 7-speed sports |
| Max Power | 156hp @ 5,300 rpm | 211hp @ 5,500 rpm | 360hp @ 6,000 rpm |
| Max Torque | 250Nm @ 1,250 – 4,000 rpm | 350Nm @ 1,200 – 4,000 rpm | 450Nm @ 2,250 – 5,000 rpm |
| Price | RM 238,888 | RM 268,888 | RM 378,888 |
EXTERIOR
For our local market, the GLA 200 comes with something that is called the Urban line, whilst the GLA 250 4Matic comes with the AMG Line with Night package. Confused?
What it does mean (without getting too technical) is that, cosmetically, the GLA 200 gets 18” alloy wheels. The lower grille is chromed and aluminium roof rails. Off-road comfort suspension is fitted as standard on the GLA 200, which raises the car higher by 30mm.
The GLA 250 4Matic on the other hand, comes with 19” alloy wheels. A whole lot more aggressive front and rear bumpers, side panels, high-gloss black roof rails and a firmer sports suspension that lowers the body by 15mm at the front axle and 10mm lower at the rear.
“Edition 1” package will be available as standard for the GLA 45 AMG model. We get a 10-spoke 20” light-alloy wheels. A large front splitter with vanes at the sides, a roof spoiler, rear diffuser with titanium grey trim and rectangular, chrome-plated twin tailpipes. New for all future AMG models is the distinctive AMG badge at the side of the radiator grille.
INTERIOR
The GLA shares much of its interior design with the A Class and the CLA-Class. Available are a wide choice of seat upholsteries in material (e.g. leather, fabric, fabric/leather) and colour combinations allows plenty of scope for individualisation. Unique to GLA are chromed bezels around the circular air-vents. GLA 200 has silver chrome trim bits and a steering wheel wrapped in leather with shift paddles, while the GLA 250 receives red outline stitching.
With the Load Compartment package, the backrest of the rear seats unit can be moved to a steeper position and free up more space for bulky items while still allowing the rear seats to be used.
Red contrasting topstitching adorns the AMG Performance seats in ARTICO man-made leather/DINAMICA microfibre, as well as the armrests, the upper section of the instrument panel And the nappa leather/DINAMICA microfibre AMG Performance steering wheel. Other visual highlights are the E-SELECT lever with embossed AMG emblem and the “Edition 1” badge.
PERFORMANCE
So, the numbers.The GLA 200 produces 156 hp @ 5300rpm and 250 Nm of torque @ 1250-4000rpm and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.9 seconds, with a top speed of 215 km/h. Combined fuel consumption is 5.9 litres per 100km.
The GLA 250 produces 211 hp @ 5500rpm and 350 Nm of torque @ 1200-4000rpm. Power is laid down from its 4Matic all-wheel drive system and does 0 to 100 km/h in 7.1 seconds. It tops out at 230 km/h and does a combined 6.5 litres/100 km for fuel efficiency.
The GLA 45 AMG outputs a whopping 360 hp @ 6000rpm and 450 Nm of torque @ 2250-5000rpm. Does an insane 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.8 seconds and will go all the way to an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h. All that, with a respectable combined fuel consumption of just 7.5 litres/100 km.
SAFETY
Standard on all variants are 6 airbags, ABS, ESP. There is also the Collision Prevention Assist Plus with adaptive Brake Assist, which kicks in from speeds as low as 7km/h. Also carried over from the new C-Class is the Active Parking Assist and Attention Assist.
4 MATIC models are equipped with DSR (Downhill Speed Regulation) and an off-road transmission mode. DSR assists the driver on demanding downhill stretches by maintaining a slow, manually selected vehicle speed within the physical limits
Off-road transmission mode on the other hand, modifies the shift points and accelerator characteristics for light off-road terrain and loose surfaces.
WHAT ELSE?
Also available from launch, Mercedes-Benz Agility Financing. A 3-year loan tenure for the GLA 200 & GLA 250. It offers risk-free financing with flexible end-of-term options. Installments of RM 92 and RM 103 per day respectively.
What this means: upon expiry of the contract, customers have the option of either:
A.) return the vehicle and opt for a new model, or
B.) pay off or refinance the remaining sum and keep the vehicle.
Tempting eh?
IMAGE GALLERY
