The new Mercedes GLA, expected to debut this autumn in Frankfurt, becomes more spacious and more mature. The model though retains an expressive design. First look inside. Spy pics.
The current Mercedes GLA is so flat and cramped that it can actually be called GLA Coupé. Its successor becomes taller, more spacious, more SUV and more adult, spy pics reveal. Yet the new GLA is more than an A-Class with greater ground clearance. Although the GLA shows design similarities with the A-Class, the new compact crossover is individually designed.
When it will debut this autumn, the new GLA will fill the gap between the regular A-Class and the larger seven seater GLB. While the latter is more of an SUV, the GLA will adopt a more dynamic styling. It also remains a conventional car with gasoline or diesel engine and front or all-wheel drive with an electric variant only expected as a separate model, sold under the Mercedes-EQ badge and is based on the modular platform for electric cars. In other words, it gets a unique design with the typical recognition features of a zero-emission Mercedes.
Spy pics of the Mercedes GLA show a total makeover
The first generation of the GLA is still for sale, but you won’t be able to order that car for long. The successor, which you can see again today, will be available with the known gasoline and diesel engines from the A-Class. Also bet on the arrival of three sporty Mercedes-AMG variants: the 306 hp Mercedes-AMG GLA 35, the 387 hp Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 and the 421 hp GLA 45 S.
The latest batch of spy pictures also reveal the interior design for the first time. The layout of the dashboard is virtually identical to that already used by the smaller A-Class and the recently unveiled GLB with the customary two 10.25-inch digital displays and the latest MBUX infotainment system taking center stage. The raised driving position is shared with the GLB, too.
