Mercedes GLA hits market with high hope

Mercedes-Benz executives and special guests celebrate the launch of the GLA on stage. [Photos Provided to China Daily]

As autumn rolls in, Mercedes-Benz officially launched its GLA-class SUV on Oct 27, in Beijing.

The GLA 200 and GLA 260 4MATIC are expected to set new trends with a host of fully enhanced specifications, proven craftsmanship and strong performance.

"With the all-new GLA SUV, Mercedes-Benz is proud to unveil yet another fashionable masterpiece," said Nicholas Speeks, president and CEO of Beijing Mercedes-Benz Sales Service Co Ltd.

Although the GLA remains a cornerstone of the automaker's localization efforts, Mercedes-Benz will first launch two imported variants.

"Led by our 'customer-oriented' strategy, we offer a small volume of these two imported variants to ramp up the market before locally produced models hit the market in the second quarter of 2015, to meet immediate customer demand for the much-anticipated GLA," Speeks said.

"Then, once we have completed the final preparations at our local Compact Cars production line at Beijing Benz Automotive Co Ltd, we shall launch the made-in-China GLA in the second quarter of 2015."

As the fourth member of the Mercedes-Benz's compact car family, which already includes the A-, B-, and CLA, the GLA adheres to Mercedes-Benz's design philosophy of sensual purity, and integrates SUV sensibilities.

According to Speeks, in the first nine months of 2014, the Mercedes-Benz compact car family has seen a 41 percent increase from the same period a year earlier.

"Also, with localization of the GLA range to begin next year and the GLA 45 AMG to launch next month in Guangzhou, we will come into more volume and give customers a greater range of options," he noted.

The GLA comes with impressive of-road capabilities that, when combined with its unique design, hint at the future of the compact SUV.

"The GLA combines both avant-garde and classical design cues with a host of details, and together these make it a truly forward-looking SUV," said Duan Jianjun, executive vice-president of Sales and Marketing at BMBS.

"It also features eye-catching interior and exterior designs that exude a strong feel of quality, while its exhilarating power output and superior off-road performance offer Chinese consumers - particularly young urban trendsetters - a fully enhanced driving experience."

At first glance, the GLA's chiseled appearance, distinctive front end and clear body lines create an image of sculpted beauty. The highest ground clearance in the segment, an elevated driver position and extended sidelines add a feeling of strength, while trademark surface contours underscore the vehicle's heritage and identity.

Inside, standard-equipped front sport seats, an optional sport steering wheel, and unique, cross-shaped aluminum air-conditioning vents harmonize with the vehicle's muscular exterior. There is also generous rear space and a large trunk, which make the GLA both practical and flexible.

On the road, the GLA is aided by two turbocharged engine options - a 1.6-liter variant available on the GLA 200 and a 2.0-liter heart equipped on the GLA 260 4MATIC. Further boosting performance is a seven-speed dual clutch transmission, which helps the vehicle race comfortably from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.1 seconds and reach a top speed of 230 km/h.

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