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Watch the 2021 Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 Hit 170 MPH on the Autobahn

Europe is getting its four-cylinder AMGs ahead of everybody else. So that's where we have to go to check out the all-new 2021 Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 S, more powerful and high-tech than its predecessor.
Watch the 2021 Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 Hit 170 MPH on the Autobahn 1 photo
Photo: AutoTopNL/YouTube screenshot
Say what you want about the GLA 45, that it's overpriced or a glorified hatchback. However, there's no denying it offers something new, both in the AMG universe and for performance cars in general. It's priced like a real sports car, is the size of a compact, and sounds like a rally car. What's not to like?

The sports car segment has changed a lot since the GLA 45 first came out. Back then, the segment was going through a dry spell. But we now have things like the Toyota Supra and the upcoming M4 with AWD. So are four cylinders still enough?

Mercedes wanted to ensure the answer is "yes" and developed this new turbocharged unit, the most potent of its kind. In America, it's rated at 382 horsepower, the same as an M340i/440i or a 2021 Supra. However, the Europeans can also have the GLA 45 S with 415 hp (421 PS), and that's what's being put to the test in this video.

Dutch magazine AutoTopNL subjected the new GLA 45 S to its usual performance tests at the German autobahn. It's a legendary road network where you can max out a car and still be driving legally. The 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) time is not ideal, as it takes the test vehicle 4.63 seconds. This is slower than the claimed time for the less powerful American model. Less-than-ideal conditions are likely to blame.

As far as top speed is concerned, the hot crossover can be seen going as fast as 170 mph (273 km/h). In the second video from the same source, the GLA 45 goes for a short night drive, allowing us to see the wonderful ambiance of the interior lighting package.

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About the author: Mihnea Radu
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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.
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