New Mercedes-Benz GLA 45 AMG Brings High-Performance to Compact SUVs

What Mercedes-Benz called a concept at last November's LA Auto Show is being fashioned as the new limited production GLA 45 AMG Edition 1 at this week's Detroit motor show where the series is making its world premiere.

The white colored Edition 1 with the flashy red and silver livery maintains the regular GLA 45 AMG's 2.0-liter turbocharged four with 355hp (360PS) and 450Nm (332 lb-ft), connected to an AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7-speed sports dual clutch transmission and the AMG Performance 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system, adding styling and aero mods.

Among other things you get with this package is a high-gloss black Aerodynamics kit with larger front splitter, additional flics in the front fascia, and rear airfoil, silver gray/red AMG racing stripes complemented by red highlights on radiator grille, exterior mirrors, diffuser insert and rear wing. The Edition 1 rides on special 20-inch alloy wheels mounted on 235/40 R 20 tires all-round.

Exterior color options for this model are restricted to four options, the cirrus white seen on the display car, cosmos black, polar silver and mountain gray, while the interior is finished in red and black, with exclusive trims.

Both the base GLA 45 AMG and the Edition 1 will go on sale in the USA in the fall of 2014 with prices to be announced.

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New Mercedes GLA45 AMG is a Taller-Riding Hot A-Class with 355HP

Mercedes-Benz has just revealed complete details on its production GLA45 AMG crossover, the car you buy if the regular A45 hatchback is not tall or distinctive enough for you. However, you won’t be losing much in the way of performance or efficiency, though, as the manufacturer’s recently released figures reveal.

Previewed as a pre-production concept in LA last year, it only takes 0.2 seconds more than the A45 AMG to reach 62 mph (100 km/h) at 4.8 seconds, its top speed is the same (electronically limited at 155 mph or 250 km/h), and it’s only mildly less efficient, using up 37.6 mpg UK (7.5 l/100km) on average, while the hatch nudges 40.9 mpg UK (6.9 l/100km).

The engine is left untouched and still produces 355 hp (360PS) and 450 Nm (331 lb-ft), driving all four wheels through the same AMG Speedshift DCT seven-speed twin-clutch gearbox.

Naturally, being a car designed for young people, it gets many funky design touches both inside and out, though saying it “combines the hallmark sensual clarity of Mercedes-Benz as an expression of modern luxury with muscular elements exclusive to AMG” is pushing it a bit.

The new GLA 45 AMG will receive its world premiere at the 2014 Detroit auto show next week with the European market launch beginning in July 2014, and the North American later in the fall.

By Andrei Nedelea

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