Friday, March 7, 2014
Richmond Review · Page 13
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Welcome to the driver’s seat
The new GLA is a practical small SUV perfect for young families or couples that want the same underlying goodness that is in the CLA but with standard all wheel drive and ease of use. Zack Spencer
Luxury wheels at just the light price MALAGA, SPAIN - It might be winter here but it’s always nice to look forward to warmer days, filled with sun and clear roads. To get a sneak peek at what better weather looks and feels like, plus get a chance to drive the all new Mercedes GLA250 and GLA 45 AMG, the advanced drive program was held in Malaga, Spain. The GLA is built of the same platform as the hot, new CLA sedan that arrived last fall. Developing it into a taller, more practical small SUV is perfect for young families or couples that want the same underlying goodness that is in the CLA but with standard all wheel drive (AWD) and ease of use. Pricing has not been confirmed but when it arrives this fall, expect the same aggressive pricing that the CLA delivers. That car starts at $33,900 but with AWD comes up to $36,800. Looks This new GLA is not as tall as the B-Class, which also shares the same platform, and not nearly as low-slung as the CLA. The GLA has a less aggressive front grille
do a great job of and stance, plus directing air flow smaller wheel sizes to just the right compared to the location. The centre high performance cluster below the GLA 45 AMG version screen is very that sports 19-inch straightforward and wheels compared easy to master. The to the base 18-inch difference wheels, but even the Mercedes Benz is biggest between the base base model can get larger wheels as part enabling more people model and the 45 AMG are the seats. of the Sport Package. to access its brand The base comes The small, more with smaller less with faux leather aggressive touches expensive vehicles. 12-way power seats and the lowered susthat look and feel pension do make the Zack Spencer very good. Leather AMG look sportier is optional plus the seats are more and more purposeful but the standard GLA with the optional 19-inch bolstered. The AMG gets upgraded seats as standard equipment but wheels is a head turner too. race inspired Recaro seats are Inside part of the Exclusive Package and The dash of the GLA is almost look superb, thanks to aluminum identical to both the CLA sedan accents and chunky side boland B-Class hatchback. There is a sters. Other differences include a prominent screen mounted high in centre-mounted shifter in the AMG, the centre of the dash, like an iPad where the base 250 gets the more application. practical column mounted gear seThe rest of the dash is sporty lector, which frees up much needed and functional thanks to stylish storage in the centre of the car. jet engine inspired air vents that Speaking of space, the back seats are much more practical compared to the CLA sedan thanks to a higher roof, bigger back windows and much better outward visibility. The cargo area isn’t huge at 1235L but the rear seats do split and fold for additional cargo capabilities.
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Drive The base GLA 250 comes with a 2.0L turbocharged direct injection 4-cylinder with a healthy 208hp and 258 lb.-ft. of torque, the same as the B-Class and base CLA. There is plenty of acceleration and cruising on the highway is effortless.
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Driving through the mountain canyons back from Granada to Malaga was a real treat. The countryside is rustic and beautiful and the twisty roads sublime. The base GLA never set a wheel wrong and the 7-speed duel-clutch automatic can be left in economy, sport or manual for each driving situation. All GLA models come with standard AWD and this system can detach the rear wheels and drive in FWD for better economy but switches seamlessly back when more traction or cornering capability is required, plus Dynamic Cornering Assist applies just a small amount of brake force to the inside wheel when cornering to aid in the process. The 45 AMG takes things to a completely new level. The 2.0L 4-cylinder is hand assembled and pumps out a whopping 355hp and 332 lb.-ft. of torque. The 7-speed transmission and AWD system have been adapted by AMG to deliver a go-cart like drive that is so reassuring and potent that it makes the driver look and feel fantastic. Cornering is effortless and the bigger wheels and lowered suspension give great feedback but it is not jarring. Verdict Mercedes Benz is enabling more people to access its brand with smaller less expensive vehicles. The new GLA 250 and GLA 45 AMG are certainly very attractive, powerful and fun vehicles to drive. The Lowdown Power: 2.0L turbo 4-cylinder with 208hp or 355hp Fill-up: N/A Sticker price: N/A zack.spencer@drivewaybc.ca
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