Daimler's plans for the future have become a tangible piece of automotive art, a compact crossover of impressive beauty. The German carmaker rarely disappoints when it comes to its designs, but this GLA compact crossover is truly a masterpiece.
The car is based on the same platform as the A-Class and will be built on the same assembly lines. However, its styling is clearly that of future Mercs. For instance, the front end is completely rounded off, like we expect the next C-Class to be, while the side profile has two converging character lines, exactly like the next S-Class.
No surprises when you get the tape measure out. The GLA is about the same as the A-Class. It's 4.38 meters long, 1.97 meters wide and 1.57 meters tall. This makes it only slightly bigger than a regular hatch.
The fist video of the concept car is very important because it reveals the graphics of the headlights as they are. The interior is also a simple yet amazing blend of brushed materials and tough brown leather, like a Swiss army knife for very reach outdoorsmen. Somehow, Mercedes has managed to get the rear bucket seats to fold completely flat, which will prove useful on the real GLA.
Speaking of the real crossover, it's almost ready for the road. Prototype have been testing for about a year now and production will start later this year, after the Frankfurt Motor Show. For now, this glitzy, futuristic car will enjoy its due date in Shanghai.
Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida. Full profile
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