Mercedes-Benz is showing a compact premium-class SUV at the 2013 Auto Shanghai motor show in the form of its Concept GLA. The Concept GLA combines dynamic styling with clear benefits for recreational use.
Under the bonnet of this new concept vehicle (length/width/height: 4383/1978/1579 millimetres) sits a four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine rated at 155 kW (211 hp) with a displacement of 1991 cc. Its power is transmitted to the road via the 7G-DCT dual clutch automatic transmission and 4MATIC all-wheel drive. A new approach is taken here in the form of headlamps featuring laser technology - these not only shine more light on the road, but also function as projectors.
"The Concept GLA marks a new approach for us in the compact SUV segment - this is a sporty and more coupe-like evolution of this category of vehicle," said Joachim Schmidt, EVP-sales and marketing, Mercedes-Benz Cars. "The Concept GLA is a compact SUV that combines its sporting spirit with the all-round qualities of a tough, leisure-time companion.
'Escape the everyday' is the message that this car conveys to its driver. It also makes clear the further potential of our compact vehicle architecture, which provides the basis for the A-Class and B-Class models that led the German market in their respective segments in the first quarter of 2013," he added.
Clear evidence of the innovative thinking on the part of the designers that has gone into this concept vehicle is provided by a number of distinctive features.
These include the powerful bonnet with its powerdomes and a sporty radiator grille with centrally positioned star. The new-style surround to the star merges elegantly into two horizontal bars. Likewise new are the so-called softcubes. These are soft, raised pads that help to give definition to the radiator grille and are also to be found on the side sill panels and alongside the exhaust tailpipes.
