Mercedes officially revealed today the new GLA Concept, which is going to have its public debut this weekend at the 2013 Shanghai auto show. Mercedes classifies the GLA as a compact premium-class SUV, which means it's packed with Daimler's latest technology. The Mercedes GLA measures 4,383 mm in length, 1,978 mm in width and 1,579 mm in height. To power the new GLA concept, Mercedes chose the 2.0-liter 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine that has a power output of 155 kW (211 hp). The engine is mated to the 7G-DCT dual clutch automatic transmission and the 4MATIC all-wheel drive system. The production version of the Mercedes GLA is going to be available with several other powertrain options. We might even get a Mercedes GLA AMG, which is probably going to be the GLA45 AMG. However, this has not been confirmed yet.
One of the major new technologies brought by the Mercedes GLA is laser light. Each of its headlights is fitted with a laser beam that can serve two purposes: to light the road ahead and to project pictures or films on a screen or other surface. The GLA can project photos or movies from any source, including your smartphone. The Mercedes GLA is also fitted with two video cameras mounted in front of the roof rail. These cameras can shoot 3D footage and they can be removed to fit them on a bike helmet for example. Each of the two cameras comes with its own light source. Mercedes says that their new laser technology might be used in the head-up display system, to project the directional instructions from the navigation system directly onto the road.
Apart from the laser lights, the Mercedes GLA is also fitted with special LEDs in the daytime running lights and the turn signals.
The Mercedes GLA comes equipped with 20-inch wheels in a distinctive five-spoke turbine design and 255/45 R20 tires.
For the interior of the GLA, Mercedes chose four individual seats, which are upholstered in natural leather. Mercedes says that the GLA has over 20 meters of hand-stitched seams to hold the raw edges of the leather. The instrument panel has several layers made of leather, matt and polished aluminum, and plexiglas. The control buttons of the COMAND Online system are also made of plexiglas. The air vents are illuminated from behind and they change color from blue to white to red according to the interior temperature.
The production version of the Mercedes GLA has not been announced yet, but we believe we're going to see it this fall, maybe at this year's Frankfurt Auto Show.
