The Mercedes-Benz GLA has been spotted in a less disguised form ahead of its 2014 reveal.
Previously, a heavily camouflaged version of the car had been seen undergoing testing at the Nurburgring. Later, the car was spotted with less camouflage and clearly featured more subtle styling than the outlandish Concept GLA.
The Concept GLA was well received on its debut at the Shanghai motor show in April. But, at the time, insiders said the styling was “exaggerated” and it would be given a more conventional look inspired by the Mercedes-Benz A-Class. These latest shots further confirm that the styling has been altered.
Although the flared surfaces of the concept have been toned down, the production GLA does still sport a sleeker, more rounded body than other SUVs in the Mercedes line-up. The model is designed to be Mercedes’ answer to the Audi Q3, BMW X1 and Range Rover Evoque.
The GLA is underpinned by the same front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive MFA architecture used by the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, Mercedes-Benz B-Class and Mercedes-Benz CLA. The concept’s dimensions of 4383mm long, 1978mm wide and 1579mm high, with a wheelbase of 2699mm, are representative of the production car.
Four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines are likely to be cherry-picked from the A-class range, just as Mercedes UK has done with the Mercedes-Benz CLA. A GLA45 AMG model will crown the range, this all-wheel-drive version being powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine with 335bhp.
Find out more about the Concept GLA in our video here.
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This might just be the first
This might just be the first of the A-class models who's proportions actually suit the big A-class snout.
Hmmm ...
Mercedes-Benz GLA = A-class designed for Britain's "3D" roads ...
Looks much nicer than the
Looks much nicer than the hideous and rubbish Evoque.