5 June 2014 gazette 25
New Merc crossover ticks all the right boxes
cormac curtis
There’s no doubt about it… a new car – a really new car – is the one event I get excited about. Well, to be more accurate, driving a really new car is what definitely gets me out of bed a little earlier in the morning. Not just a facelift model of something that is already losing appeal and interest, but a brand-new, head-turning, straight-off-the-assemblyline car. And this year Mercedes were good enough to trust me with their brandspanking new GLA 200 CDI Urban. These days you just never know what to expect from Mercedes, such has been the level of all-new models as well as new designs on some of their old favourites. The new GLA-Class fits neatly into the crossover or compact SUV segment that most manufacturers have been tripping over themselves to get into – with varying degrees of success. But Mercedes have struck a really nice balance here. The appeal of a good crossover is extra space, versatility in terms of moving seats around, and stowing stuff, and a ride that can handle a little more than a gravel driveway. All that with a pretty exterior and you have the whole package – not surprisingly Mercedes have managed to tick all of these boxes. What really stood out for me with the GLA was
Mercedes-Benz GLA series offers versatility and an impressive list of standard equipment
the performance. Quite often, manufacturers supply the press with the most powerful variants of certain models to make certain the writers get good bang for their buck – but that wasn’t necessary here. In fact, the 2143cc diesel model I drove is the lowest-rated model in terms of power output, but the power it has is so well balanced against the weight of the car it felt ideally matched. The car itself certainly has presence. I must admit, it took me a few glances to get my head around such a modern, youthful, and energetic looking car with the Mercedes badge on the front – but that says more about my preconceived ideas than the car or the manufacturer. The car is definitely tall and wide, and the body styling emphasises all the
right features; the flared wheel arches, the broadshouldered stance, the flat roof – all of these elements come together in a successfully designed and styled new model. The inside is pretty much pure Mercedes – the familiarity of it gave me an incredible sense of comfort and reassurance that we were inside something special. My only quibble would be my somewhat middle-aged legs and derriere took a few days to get used to the snug-fitting sports seats. Naturally, there is a truly vast array of interior options to suit all manner of tastes – from machined aluminium to naturally grained wood. For the adventurous, there is the ON&OFFROAD screen that shows gradient, tilt and compass reading in off-road terrain. While at
the same time, full messaging and music functionality via iPhone is also an option. In terms of spec, the model tested had an impressive list of standard equipment, the highlights of which include AC, roof rails, audio streaming, Bluetooth telephone, collision prevention, eco stop/start and the comfort seat package. But, as always, the metallic paint, reversing camera and somewhat pricey yet gorgeous panoramic sunroof are a few additions that really helped make this all-
new model something to remember. In short, from my point of view, the GLA would genuinely suit me. I tend to drive around the coast, rivers and lakes – I always need room inside for gear and outside for kayaks or windsurfers. A car that can handle some gradient with ease and offers this level of comfort and equipment would be ideal. At €41,357 for the model I tested, we are talking about a premium price, but after all, everything about the car is premium.
Gazette
mercedes-benz GLA 200: the right balance of space and power
MOTORING road
NOISE
New versatile addition to the Volkswagen Golf range is sure to please There’s no doubt about it, Irish drivers have an insatiable appetite for the Volkswagen Golf. Now, for those who need something with some more practical space, and a big choice of engines, there is the much-anticipated Golf SV. Volkswagen Ireland has finally opened order books for this exciting new model. The new model will sit between the Golf and Touran models, offering all of the advanced technology of the Golf hatchback range, but in a larger, more practical body. Despite compact dimensions, it offers ample space for five people plus luggage. At 4,338mm long, the new SV is 134mm longer than the Golf Plus that it replaces, and is 83mm longer than the Golf. With a longer wheelbase than the Golf, this provides generous interior space, and the SV is also 81mm wider and 26mm higher. Luggage capacity at 500 litres is generous, up 76 litres from the previous Golf Plus and this increases to 590 litres by sliding the rear seat bench forwards. Fold these rear seats and you can get up to 1,520 litres. The engine line-up for Ireland is composed of a 1.2-litre TSI petrol with 85hp and 110hp and 1.6-litre diesel with 90hp and 110hp. At the top of the range is a 2.0-litre diesel with 150hp. All engines comply with the latest EU6 emissions regulations. There is a choice of five- and six-speed manual gearboxes and a seven-speed DSG gearbox. The top-selling engine is expected to be the 110hp 1.6-litre TDI which has emissions of just 101g/km placing it in motor tax band A3 with annual motor tax of just €190. In Ireland there will be three trim grades on the Golf SV - Trendline, Comfortline and Highline. All Golf SV models feature air conditioning, 5” touchscreen radio with Aux-In, SD card slot, electronic parking brake with hill hold and a host of safety features including Electronic Stability Programme and two ISOFIX points in the rear bench seat. Expected to be the most popular grade, the Comfortline specification adds a leather multifunction steering wheel, 15” Lyon alloy wheels, drawers under the front seats, a larger 5.8” touch-screen radio with Bluetooth connectivity, cruise control, front comfort seats with manual height adjustment and lumbar support, a rear centre armrest with load-through provision and a black radiator grille with chrome strips on the fins.
The Volkswagen Golf SV