New Mercedes GLA revealed as Audi Q4 rival with 408-mile range

The caller Mercedes-Benz GLA has joined the firm's revamped line-up of compact models - with institution brag Ola Källenius insisting that it is "better successful each dimensions" than its big-selling predecessor.

Launching successful electrical signifier successful November and with a hybrid to travel aboriginal adjacent year, the 3rd procreation of the Audi Q4 and Volvo EX40 rival sits connected the Stuttgart firm's compact MMA architecture, which it shares with the CLA saloon and seven-seat GLB SUV. As with those models, the caller GLA merges EV and combustion exemplary lines, with the caller electrical mentation replacing the EQA.

It features Mercedes' latest plan cues, including a retro-inspired grille, and Källenius said a cardinal absorption of the plan was to marque it look much dramatic. "If you look from the broadside it's similar a sports car SUV," helium said, "but inactive connected a compact footprint. It's the eventual sporty metropolis SUV."

At 4565mm, the caller GLA is 143mm longer than its predecessor and the wheelbase has been stretched to 2790mm to supply much compartment space. The car besides has a wider rear track, but its extortion sits 20mm little than the erstwhile version's. Wheel sizes alteration from 18in to 20in.

Inside, the stretched wheelbase means determination is much country for some beforehand and rear occupants than successful its predecessor. Despite the car being lower, Mercedes claims determination is besides much caput room. There is simply a 410-litre boot, portion the electrical mentation adds a 107-litre frunk.

The cockpit follows Mercedes trends with a dashboard dominated by touchscreens - including an optional MBUX Superscreen that spans the width of the car and has 3 screens built in. As with each of Mercedes' latest cars, it features the latest mentation of the firm's MB.OS bundle - powered by an precocious Nvidia spot - and offers AI-enabled dependable power and precocious operator assistance systems, among different features.

The GLA Electric volition beryllium offered with 3 antithetic powerfulness outputs that lucifer the related CLA. The entry-level 200 exemplary offers 221bhp from a azygous rear-mounted motor, with powerfulness drawn from a 58kWh lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery. The 250+ increases output to 268bhp, portion the archetypal range-topper volition beryllium the all-wheel-drive 350, which offers 349bhp from a brace of electrical motors. The 250+ and 350 some usage an 85kWh nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) battery.

The longest-range mentation of the GLA volition connection 408 miles, compared with 484 miles for the sleeker CLA and 379 miles for the boxier GLB. As with the CLA, the MMA level is honed for efficiency, with the astir businesslike mentation susceptible of an authoritative 4.2mpkWh. With its 800V architecture, the GLA tin complaint astatine speeds of up to 320kW.

The hybrid mentation volition get aboriginal adjacent twelvemonth and employment the aforesaid Horse-produced 1.5-litre turbo motor featured successful the CLA. That portion is boosted by a 30bhp electrical centrifugal integrated into the eight-speed automatic gearbox and powered by a 1.3kWh battery. Mercedes has yet to springiness afloat show details but determination are minimal styling differences betwixt the EV and hybrid.

The GLA is expected to beryllium priced from astir £45,000 erstwhile it goes connected merchantability successful the UK. It volition beryllium offered successful 4 trim levels, including AMG Line and AMG Plus that diagnostic bespoke styling elements.