The Mercedes-Benz GLA45 AMG concept has been unveiled at the Los Angeles auto show, previewing the production crossover expected next year.
A high-performance concept version of the GLA revealed in August, the Mercedes-Benz GLA45 AMG concept is powered by the same 265kW/450Nm turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine used in the CLA45 AMG sedan and A45 AMG hatch – with which it shares its underpinnings.
Identically sending power to all four wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, Mercedes-Benz claims the GLA45 AMG concept reaches 100km/h from standstill “in under five seconds”. The CLA45 AMG and A45 AMG claim 4.6 seconds to achieve the same feat.
The LA concept has a low and aggressive front splitter, side skirts and red-stripped rear diffuser all finished in gloss black. An AMG front bumper with small air deflectors and large air intakes sits below a red-highlighted silver chrome ‘twin-blade’ radiator grille.
Red highlights also feature on the GLA45 AMG concept’s black wing mirrors, AMG rear wing, 21-inch matt black AMG forged alloy wheels and AMG high-performance brakes.
A “Turbo AMG” badge on the front fenders, gloss black roof rails, a quad-exit AMG sports exhaust system and a motor racing-inspired number “45″ on the doors complete the performance theme.
Mercedes-AMG GmbH chairman of the board of management Tobias Moers made the German car maker’s intentions for the car clear saying, “We are setting a stake firmly in the ground of the strongly growing market segment of compact SUVs.”
“Our customers – a young target group who set great store by styling, dynamism and independence – can now start looking forward to a dynamic high-performance car,” Moers said.
Spied testing at the Nurburgring in August, a production version of the Mercedes-Benz GLA45 AMG will look somewhat tamer when it goes on sale in Australia in late 2014, following the second quarter local launch of the standard GLA200, GLA250 and GLA200 CDI models. A price not far north of $80,000 is anticipated.
