Mercedes-Benz imported GLA class officially launched

Mercedes-Benz's luxury compact SUV model GLA class offers 2 model options. As for the GLA 45 AMG version, the official introduction says that the price will be announced during the Guangzhou Auto Show.

New car features.

The shape looks more like a crossover: at first glance, I didn't think of the GLA as an SUV; its taut overall lines and low stance make it look more like a crossover.

In terms of detailing, the GLA has a full front design and uses a headlight style similar to the A-Class, while the double-bar grille design with a large logo embedded in it brings enough visual impact. From my point of view, the rear of the GLA is thicker than the front, especially in the three-dimensional sense of the tail lights and the silver guard at the bottom of the rear bumper, which can slightly find some SUV characteristics. In addition, the GLA 260 4MATIC is also equipped with an AMG sports package, with more sporty styling.

In the interior, the Mercedes-Benz GLA design and A-class the same, cross-shaped air conditioning vents and three-spoke steering wheel design is very young, and we previously photographed the GLA 200 version using a 5.8-inch independent LCD screen, while the seat is a one-piece design, where the headrest is not adjustable angle, which is identical to the Mercedes-Benz A-class on sale. In addition, according to previous news, the GLA will have five different seat fabrics and two materials of the center console trim for consumers to choose from after the launch.

The same platform as the Mercedes-Benz A-class: From the introduction of the appearance and interior, it is easy to find that the Mercedes-Benz GLA-class and the A-class have a lot in common, and in terms of the entire vehicle platform, the two models also identical, both based on the MFA front-wheel-drive modular platform, which is currently used by the Mercedes-Benz A-class, CLA and the GLA announced for the market this time.

The GLA has the lowest height compared to its class: In terms of body dimensions, the Mercedes-Benz GLA has a length, width, and height of 4417/1804/1494 mm and a wheelbase of 2699 mm. compared to the BMW X1 and Audi Q3 in the same class, the Mercedes-Benz GLA has the lowest height. In addition, according to Mercedes-Benz officials, the ground clearance of the imported GLA for sale reaches 204 mm, while the GLA 200 and GLA 260 both feature 18-inch wheels and a panoramic sunroof.

The GLA 200 is equipped with a 1.6 T high-power engine with a maximum output of 156 hp and a peak torque of 250 N-m; the GLA 260 is equipped with a 2.0T engine with a maximum output of 211 hp and a peak torque of 350 N-m. Transmission In terms of transmission, the two engines are matched with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, while both are equipped with an engine start-stop system.

In addition, only the GLA 260 4MATIC is temporarily equipped with the GLA 260 4MATIC for sale and comes standard with downhill speed control and off-road mode selection, of which the off-road mode is turned on, the gear shift logic and power output characteristics of the transmission will change, and the main screen of the center console LCD screen can also be switched to off-road display mode, showing the steering angle of the vehicle, compass, as well as the body roll angle, slope and The main screen of the center console LCD screen can also be switched to off-road display mode, showing the steering angle, compass, and indications of whether the body roll, slope and downhill speed regulation (DSR) are on.

In terms of performance, the GLA 260 4MATIC takes 7.1 seconds to accelerate from a standstill to 100km/h and can reach a top speed of 230 km/h, while the official fuel consumption is 7.2 L/100km; the GLA 200 takes 8.8 seconds to accelerate from standstill to 100km/h and can reach a top speed of 215 km/h, with combined fuel consumption of 6.4 L/100km. The GLA 200 can accelerate from zero to 100km/h in 8.8 seconds, with a top speed of 215 km/h and combined fuel consumption of 6.4 L/100km.

New car background.

The first product to enter the compact SUV market: At the Shanghai Auto Show in April 2013, Mercedes-Benz made a public appearance with the GLA concept car, whose release signaled that Mercedes-Benz would blow the trumpet to enter the luxury compact SUV market.

Competitors.

In the luxury compact SUV market, BMW X1 and Audi Q3 will be the biggest rival of the Mercedes-Benz GLA, and the imported GLA encountered the biggest problems as follows: firstly, because of the late entry of GLA into China, the product reputation and popularity are far from the rival; secondly, because of the impact of tariffs and transportation, the price range of imported GLA is slightly higher than the rival, plus X1 and Q3 in the market terminal there are, Therefore, the cost performance of X1 and Q3 will be higher.

In addition to X1 and Q3, Mercedes-Benz GLA will also face niche luxury compact SUV s like Lincoln MKC and Acura RDX, but because of the obvious difference in brand value, MKC and RDX will not pose too big a threat to GLA, and the main rivals are X1 and Q3.

Full summary.

The Mercedes-Benz GLA has been launched in China to add "vitality" to the luxury brand compact SUV segment. The crossover style shape and sporty interior may attract the attention of young consumers, while its power combination is also in the upper-middle-class level, making it a compact SUV that can show its personality. Only the GLA ride space is a little bit short, which may affect its overall competitiveness.

In addition, the GLA's imported "status" makes it less advantageous in terms of cost performance and supply system after its launch, and these factors may affect the performance of the imported GLA in the market. However, in my opinion, the reason why Mercedes-Benz chose to take the lead in importing the GLA is not to sell how good, but to enhance product awareness through it, in the background the imported version is slightly higher than the pricing of competitors, to promote and emphasize the quality and other features, and then in 2015 to launch the domestic model, when the product price will be lowered, which will bring consumers the feeling of improved cost performance, that is, the imported GLA In other words, the introduction of the imported GLA is more for the future domestic GLA class pavement, which is also the usual marketing strategy of many car companies.

However, I believe we all have a pole in our hearts, the imported GLA class is not without any advantages, because in most consumers' car buying philosophy, the quality of imported cars is often higher than domestic cars, if you value its imported car "identity", you may want to get it early.