2017 Mercedes GLA Facelift will strength itself in the entry-level compact SUV category where the competition just became stiffer
About three years after its arrival, Mercedes is all set to bring the updated GLA SUV face lift to the Indian market. The model was officially revealed to the international audience at the Detroit motor show back in January this year. Internationally the new model is already on sale and today the India Launch takes place.
The facelifted version of the Mercedes GLA is priced in line with the previous prices and is be locally assembled at the company’s plant in Chakan, Maharashtra.
Not only the facelift, but Mercedes-Benz has also introduced a new engine model to the Mercedes GLA – the GLA 220 4MATIC, which is powered by a 2.0-litre petrol engine which good for 184 hp and 300 Nm of torque and fitted with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and an all-wheel drive system.
The GLA 45 AMG 4MATIC’s 2.0-litre petrol engine now produces 381 hp (+21 hp) and 475 Nm (+25 Nm). The standard variant in India will go on with the same 183 hp 2.0-litre petrol and 136 BHP 2.1-litre diesel engines.
The mid-cycle update has brought slight changes to the Mercedes GLA’s exterior. The Mercedes GLA facelift features LED headlights, redesigned radiator grille and air dam grille, renewed bumpers, new alloy wheels and remodelled tail lights with new graphics and LED lighting. There is also a new exterior colour called ‘Canyon Beige’ which is included in the colour palette and an optional off-road comfort suspension that increases the height of the car by 30 mm.
While there are a few distinct changes on the exterior, the cabin of the 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLA facelift carries the same design theme as the previous model. However, it gets a bigger 11.7 cm infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity options. 12 Ambient light are on offer when it comes to the interior feature list.
The instrument cluster sports new dials with red needles which look amazing. The electric seat adjustment switches along with the storage compartment in the centre console are now finished in chrome. Keyless entry and 360-degree camera are also available in the new GLA, the eye grabbing thing about the infotainment system is that it’s now free standing.
Coming to the safety of the car, the international model comes equipped with Active Brake Assist as standard. This system alerts the driver when the distance between the vehicles ahead is lesser than safety limits and also intervenes by automatically braking.
Additionally, if the system detects that the driver is reacting too late, it initiates autonomous braking in order to prevent the collision or minimize the consequences.
This system is actually great and if it comes to India it would do a world of good, as most of the people in India don’t know how to ride/drive. The new Mercedes GLA will rival against the likes of BMW X1 and the Audi Q3.
Prices are Ex-Showroom
GLA 200d Rs. 30.65 Lakhs
GLA 200 Sport Rs. 32.20 Lakhs
GLA 220d Sport Rs. 33.85 Lakhs
GLA 220d 4Matic Rs. 36.75 Lakhs
