Photos of Mercedes-Benz’s hotted up ‘baby-SUV’ have just surfaced, showing the car undergoing performance testing at the Nürburgring racetrack in Germany.
The Mercedes-Benz GLA 45 AMG, will make use of the same engine found in the A45 AMG and CLA45 AMG. The most powerful series-production four-cylinder engine in the world – a turbocharged 265kW/450Nm 2.0-litre – with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic and all-wheel drive, will power what promises the be the ultimate compact SUV.
In the A45 and CLA45 AMG version, the engine and transmission combo catapults the AMGs from 0-100km/h in 4.6 seconds and on to an electronically limited top speed of 250km/h. We suspect the slightly higher weight of the GLA45 AMG will bring the acceleration figure up slightly but certainly not above 5 seconds.
Based on the same platform as the A, B and CLA Class, the upcoming GLA SUV, which is expected to be officially unveiled at the Frankfurt motorshow in September, will go head to head with the upcoming BMW X1/2 and Audi Q3.
Whether or not Mercedes will bring the GLA45 AMG to Australia remains to be seen, but given our market remains in the top 10 for AMG vehicle sales worldwide, despite our small population, it’s more likely than not.
