The GLA is maybe one of the most important compact cars Mercedes ever made because it allowed it to attract so many new customers in Asia and North America. However, the formula is being changed to something more petite for the second-generation model, seen here undergoing testing.
You see, Mercedes will now have two crossovers, after the launch of the Mexico-made GLB-Class. That thing is big and practical, which allows the GLA to go after the young, urban type of customer.
Now, we're not saying this is a tiny little Nissan Juke rival. In fact, this should be roughly the size of the A-Class hatch, copying the wheelbase and width but adding some height through the suspension. The best way to think of it is as a rival for the Audi Q2, which itself is derived from the A3 platform.
The GLA II has spied as a mule two years ago, but only recently got a production body to match all the other new Mercedes-Benz models. The look is once again similar to the A-Class, though not identical in any way. It will be a little more practical in the trunk department too, thanks to a wider opening and more space.
The interior has also never been photographed before, though it's not holding any secrets either. The dashboard is identical to every other sister car and features the new twin 10-inch screens that make up the MBUX system. It's nice, but we're not blown away by the quality in some places.
Engine-wise a few things will change as well. You're going to have the new 2-liter diesels with 150 or 190 HP matched to 8-speed gearboxes, the Renault 1.3-liter and a plug-in hybrid version that's rumored to have a rear-mounted electric motor. Even an EV is possible, but so far, we've only seen one compact EQ prototype.
Now, we're not saying this is a tiny little Nissan Juke rival. In fact, this should be roughly the size of the A-Class hatch, copying the wheelbase and width but adding some height through the suspension. The best way to think of it is as a rival for the Audi Q2, which itself is derived from the A3 platform.
The GLA II has spied as a mule two years ago, but only recently got a production body to match all the other new Mercedes-Benz models. The look is once again similar to the A-Class, though not identical in any way. It will be a little more practical in the trunk department too, thanks to a wider opening and more space.
The interior has also never been photographed before, though it's not holding any secrets either. The dashboard is identical to every other sister car and features the new twin 10-inch screens that make up the MBUX system. It's nice, but we're not blown away by the quality in some places.
Engine-wise a few things will change as well. You're going to have the new 2-liter diesels with 150 or 190 HP matched to 8-speed gearboxes, the Renault 1.3-liter and a plug-in hybrid version that's rumored to have a rear-mounted electric motor. Even an EV is possible, but so far, we've only seen one compact EQ prototype.