Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) kicked started the AMG fever here in Malaysia when they introduced the W176 Mercedes-AMG A 45 back in 2013. To own an AMG at this price point (below RM400k) was unheard of and naturally, the hot hatch became a bread and butter model for the AMG brand.
Then come the CLA 45 and GLA 45 in 2014 which opened more doors for the public to enter the AMG household. A sleek sedan, practical crossover or the sexy hot hatch, your choice. Our most recent experience with the GLA 45 4MATIC facelift proved how hilariously fun a 375 hp all-wheel-drive crossover can be.
QUICK FACTS
| Name | Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 4MATIC |
| Engine | 1,991cc; in-line four turbocharged |
| Transmission | 7-speed AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT |
| Max Power | 375 hp @ 6,000 rpm |
| Max Torque | 475 Nm @ 2,250 – 5,000 rpm |
| 0 – 100 km/h; Top Speed | 4.4 seconds, 250 km/h |
| Price (OTR without insurance, GST & SST) | RM389,190.15 |
Among the 45-series (A 45, CLA 45 & GLA 45) my pick of the lot will have to be the GLA 45 simply because you can annihilate a 718 Porsche Cayman to the 100 km/h mark in a crossover. And thanks to the AMG Performance Exhaust, the GLA 45 makes noises that put many sports cars to shame.
This Jupiter Red paint job paired with the black bits from AMG Night package (standard on all GLA 45 in Malaysia) gives the GLA 45 unmistakable road presence. The whole package is made even sweeter with the facelift exercise.
The interior is starting to show its age especially since the three-pointed star has introduced the new-generation W177 A-Class (the CLA and GLA are based off the A-Class) which spots a cabin that is decidedly more modern and attractive. But the GLA still have some (old) tricks up its sleeve like the red contrast stitching, Recaro bucket seats, panoramic sunroof and Alcantara inserts on the steering wheel.
Do watch our review video of this Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 4MATIC Facelift if you haven’t already and enjoy the full gallery of this high-performance crossover.
IMAGE GALLERY
Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 4MATIC Facelift
