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Mercedes-Benz GLA to Arrive in the US in Autumn 2014

Even though the yesterday-unveiled GLA crossover/SUV will get an official launch in September - at the Frankfurt Auto Show - and it will go on sale on European turf in March 2014, the car will only arrive on American soil in Autumn, next year.
Mercedes-Benz GLA 26 photos
Photo: Daimler AG
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We're not sure of the reason(s) for the rather long delay between the two market introductions, but we do know that the US-spec GLA will only feature the 2.0-liter, turbocharged four-pot with direct injection.

With 208 American hp (211 metric hp) on tap and a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission in standard, the 4Matic version of the US-spec GLA will reach 60 mph from a standing start in just 6.4 seconds, making it the feistiest little crossover/SUVs available on American ground.

"With the compact GLA we add a fifth attractive SUV variant to the Mercedes-Benz model portfolio in this constantly growing segment. The GLA impresses mainly with its progressive character and agile handling," Joachim Schmidt, Mercedes' head of sales and marketing, said in a statement quoted by Automotive News.

In the beginning only the 4Matic all-wheel drive version will be offered, with a slightly cheaper, base fwd version, to arrive in early 2015.

Set to compete with the BMW X1 and the Audi Q3, the GLA 250 4Matic will start at around $32,000 with shipping in the US, making it cheaper than the much larger but still compact GLK by about six whole grand.
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About the author: Alex Oagana
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Alex handled his first real steering wheel at the age of five (on a field) and started practicing "Scandinavian Flicks" at 14 (on non-public gravel roads). Following his time at the University of Journalism, he landed his first real job at the local franchise of Top Gear magazine a few years before Mircea (Panait). Not long after, Alex entered the New Media realm with the autoevolution.com project.
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