Mercedes-Benz has revealed the facelifted GLA at this week’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit, and you’d be forgiven for failing to spot what they’ve changed on the updated model, compared to the original crossover SUV from 2013.
Visually, the refreshed GLA now features new alloy wheels, modified bumpers and a new exterior colour, ‘Canyon Beige’, as seen in these pictures.
There are also new LED headlights, which may not sound very exciting, but as they use 60 per cent less energy than xenon headlights, Merc reckons they will last forever, or for the lifetime of the car, at the very least. Translation: no more changing bulbs.
Again, you’d need to know where to look but the body work is more aerodynamic, with subtle design tweaks to the front splitter, rear spoiler and rear diffuser.
The interior now comes with new seat covers and trim parts as well as chromed control panels. The dashboard is covered in artico man-made leather with red contrasting top stitching as standard.
Engines
Engine range has been expanded but the new GLA 220 4Matic won’t be coming to the UK market so there’s no point telling you about this 181bhp unit.
Instead, buyers in Britain will be able to choose from the 200, 250 4Matic and 45 4Matic petrols, while diesel drivers can pick the GLA 200d with or without 4Matic all-wheel drive, or GLA 330d 4Matic.
The GLA 45 4Matic is the high performance option, powered by a 375bhp two-litre, four-pot petrol engine and mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission to hit 62mph in 4.4 seconds.
The exhaust system features an automatically controlled exhaust flap as standard, while the intensity of the engine note changes according to the selected AMG dynamic select driving mode.
Mercedes will offer this flagship GLA as a Yellow Night Edition, which splices yellow detailing into the black exterior. Light-alloy wheels are available in matt black with yellow rims and a black painted AMG twin louvre in the radiator grille.
Prices for the refreshed GLA haven’t been confirmed yet, but it is available to order now with initial customer deliveries commencing from April.
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