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Mercedes GLA looks stunning in flesh, it is a well rounded package with loads of appeal SUV craze is at its peak and the fixation to this body type is seen across all segments. While most manufacturers already have a SUV in their portfolio, others are scurrying to develop one at the earliest. Blame it on our roads or the fact that sitting higher up gives…
Mercedes GLA looks stunning in flesh, it is a well rounded package with loads of appeal SUV craze is at its peak and the fixation to this body type is seen across all segments. While most manufacturers already have a SUV in their portfolio, others are scurrying to develop one at the earliest. Blame it on our roads or the fact that sitting higher up gives you the kick, whatever the case, this body type is seeing far more success than anyone had imagined. Coming to the luxury segment, SUV sales have seen a sharp rise during the recent past.
The Mercedes-Benz’ SUV lineup comprising of the GL and ML contributes to nearly 25% of the company’s total sales in India. With this backdrop Mercedes-Benz is all set to launch the all new Mercedes GLA 220d, which will not only be the starting point in the Stuttgart based manufacturer’s SUV ranks but will also give much needed competition to Audi’s Q3 and BMW’s X1.
It was Mercedes-Benz who introduced the concept of ‘Compact Luxury’ to India with the A-Class at a time when many pundits believed India was not ready for this segment. The success of the A-Class encouraged others to follow suit and BMW came up with the 1-Series while folks from Ingolstadt recently launched the A3. The Mercedes GLA 220d is based on the same platform as the A-Class (MFA Platform) and is a front-wheel drive vehicle. We drive the GLA around the picturesque roads of Himachal and find out if it cuts the mustard.
Motor Quest: Mercedes-Benz unveiled the production version of the GLA at the 2013 Frankfurt Auto Show after showcasing the concept car at the 2013 Shanghai Auto Show. This compact SUV sits below the GLK globally and is based on the MFA (Modular Front Architecture) platform. The Mercedes GLA 220d was also showcased at the 2014 Indian Auto Expo at Greater Noida.
Before we actually saw the car, we had seen some images of the vehicle on the internet. Truth being told, the car looks absolutely stunning in flesh and pictures don’t really do justice to its design. A brainchild of Gordon Wagner, the head of design at Mercedes-Benz, the GLA is based on the company’s new design language which was first seen on the A-Class.
Young and sporty, this design is enough for anyone to fall for this car at first glance. The front profile is highlighted by the dual slat grille which gets touches of chrome on which the ‘Three Pointed Star’ sits with supremacy. The sweptback headlamps show great detail and the Mercedes GLA 220d gets Bi-Xenon headlamps with LED daytime running lights. You also have LED fibre optics tracing a curve through the headlamp making it look really classy. Front aluminium skid plates accentuate the SUV characteristics of the GLA.
One glance at the Mercedes GLA 220d’s cabin and you are sure to feel as if you have seen it before. That’s because the Mercedes GLA 220d shares most of it interior bits with the A-Class. However, to keep things slightly different, Mercedes has added a few things inside to differentiate it from the baby Benz. The dashboard theme is the same but now you have a matte grey insert on the dashboard to break the continuity.
Additionally you also get ambient lighting to pamper yourself. Unlike the A-Class which only has an all black dashboard layout, the Mercedes GLA 220d gets an all black dashboard and upholstery as well as a black and beige combination. To make things simple, especially with logistics, you cannot really customise the interior colour scheme for a mass market model. A light body colour like silver will get an all black layout while a brown would get a black and beige colour scheme with beige seats.
We reckon the beige upholstery will be a big hit with Indian customers, though we would pick the all black theme any day. The interiors of the Mercedes GLA 220d feel very rich and have all the luxury elements.