Design sketches of the upcoming Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class have been released ahead of the new model’s unveiling at next month’s Frankfurt motor show.
Published as a teaser on Mercedes-Benz’s Facebook page, the two sketches show the sub-compact SUV, and soon-to-be rival to the Audi Q3 and BMW X1, in the early stages of its development.
Previewed in four-seat concept form at the 2013 Shanghai auto show (pictured bottom), the new Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class will be built on the same MFA platform used to underpin the A-Class, B-Class and CLA-Class.
The concept car measured 4383mm long and 1978mm wide – longer than a Q3, shorter than an X1, and wider than both – and featured a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine and all-wheel drive. The production model is expected to be available in both front- and all-wheel layouts powered by a range of turbocharged four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines.
To launch in Europe at the start of 2014, the GLA-Class is due to arrive locally in the third quarter of 2014.
The 2013 Frankfurt motor show kicks off on September 10.
