AMG may have started out with legendary V8 or even V12 engines, but back in 2012, the company had a brilliant idea: let's make a lot of money with hot hatchbacks. And since America wouldn't buy one, they also produced the GLA 45 AMG.
Nearing its second generation, the mightiest performance crossover is preparing to have not one but two versions... actually three if you count the GLA 45 and GLA 45 S as being separate. The hardware has made its debut in the A-Class series; you have a base "35" system, which is a 2-liter turbo making 306 Horsepower. This will rival things like the Cupra Ateca and Audi SQ2.
Above that, the 2-liter gets a serious infusion of power, making 387 HP and 480 Nm of torque in the normal GLA 45 or 421 HP and 500 Nm for the S model. Do we need to tell you that the numbers are insane for a four-cylinder of this size?
The rest of the hardware will be better too, starting with the AWD system, which will be electrically actuated, so it will make for quicker launches. Also, the limited-slip diff at the back can be used for a drift mode, a lot like the one in the Focus RS.
Here we have the latest spyshots from the land of AMG, and while the two GLA prototypes look similar, a few key differences can be observed. For example, the grille on the 45 sticks out, and the exhaust sits in a different place compared to the normal A-Class.
Mercedes has barely even launched the bigger GLB-Class, so we don't know when the base GLA will be out. However, it probably won't be much longer, considering it doesn't make sense to keep the crappy old interior parts in stock.
Probably the only area where we don't expect a huge improvement is the exhaust department. Just have a listen to this:
Above that, the 2-liter gets a serious infusion of power, making 387 HP and 480 Nm of torque in the normal GLA 45 or 421 HP and 500 Nm for the S model. Do we need to tell you that the numbers are insane for a four-cylinder of this size?
The rest of the hardware will be better too, starting with the AWD system, which will be electrically actuated, so it will make for quicker launches. Also, the limited-slip diff at the back can be used for a drift mode, a lot like the one in the Focus RS.
Here we have the latest spyshots from the land of AMG, and while the two GLA prototypes look similar, a few key differences can be observed. For example, the grille on the 45 sticks out, and the exhaust sits in a different place compared to the normal A-Class.
Mercedes has barely even launched the bigger GLB-Class, so we don't know when the base GLA will be out. However, it probably won't be much longer, considering it doesn't make sense to keep the crappy old interior parts in stock.
Probably the only area where we don't expect a huge improvement is the exhaust department. Just have a listen to this: