One of the more lustworthy attractions of the Shanghai Motor Show, the Mercedes Benz GLA Concept is said to be 90% representative of the GLA production vehicle to go on sale next year. Mercedes aims to heat up the compact SUV segment with a competitive price tag of about $40,000.
Mercedes seems to have hit the right chord with its new design fundas, as the GLA takes more than a few cues from the new and equally attention-hungry CLA saloon. The striking GLA concept offers an aggressive yet modern front end with only two horizontal bars for a front grille, with the three-pointed star at the centre acting as the cherry on the cake. The sloping roofline flows into the tailgate giving it a very sporty and sleek silhouette. Strong character lines down the sides, alongwith the frameless doors further enhance this image.
The front headlights are one of the usual outlandish concept car features, with in-built laser beam projectors, capable of projecting videos and images on a screen. This along with the very intricate, yet impractical interior will surely not be on the options list when the GLA hits the market. What is expected to make the final cut, is the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine sitting under the bulging hood, which sends 208 bhp and 258 pound-feet of torque through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission to all four wheels via Mercedes’ proprietary 4Matic all-wheel-drive system. The GLA class is expected to give tough competition to the BMW X3, the Audi Q3 as well as the Range Rover Evoque, when it launches early next year.
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