A new car, lots of information in short paragraphs.
What you need to know: Mercedes-Benz is not just the oldest car maker in the world, it’s also one of the most dynamic brands. A few decades ago they built boring beige tanks for your grandma, now they cater to our ever-accelerating desire for individuality, instant gratification and ego-boosting experiences.
We don’t want to own an ivory-coloured sedan for ten years anymore; we demand a pearl black lifestyle SUV with Bluetooth streaming, bizarre dashboard lighting and sporty accoutrements. Its leasing contract will probably be done before we tire of its bizarre carpet patterns or seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Some more facts: Enter stage left, the recently updated GLA. Mercedes even took the initiative to pack this particular model with said gearbox and AMG goodies straight from the factory. Its turbo-diesel engine produces a slightly noisy 177 horsepower and claims to use an average of just 5L/100km from the 56L tank. We averaged around seven.
What we liked: Our dark blue test car with its fat AMG takkies looked quite cool and offered a reasonably comfortable ride. Its hatchback boot takes up to 481L. The new grill and headlights freshen up the mini-SUV’s face and we urge potential buyers to get the full LED pack. And seat heaters.
Watch out for: That twin-clutch auto’box is terribly uncultured. Confused and jerky, if I have to be nice. A few occupants bemoaned the low seating position, high waistline and tiny windows. The GLA is a ‘mare to park unless you have the (optional) parking sensors and reverse camera. We didn’t find a spare wheel.
Why you’ll want one: Modern style, reasonable versatility and Diesel efficiency with a sprinkling of off-road ability. Mind you, just a tiny sprinkle though as there are no AWD/4×4 controls whatsoever. It should manage a bit of dirt, some farm roads or the odd pavement just fine though.
FULL SPECLIST
Engine: 2.1L in-line four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Transmission: 7-speed Auto, AWD
Max. Power: 130kW
Max. Torque: 350Nm @ 1,400-3,400rpm
Avg cons.: 5.0L/100km (claimed)
0-100km/h: (claimed = 7.7)
Top Speed: 218km/h (claimed)
List Price: Starting at N$ 630,000
Performance:
0-10km/h: 0,62 seconds
0-20km/h: 1,08 seconds
0-30km/h: 1,64 seconds
0-40km/h: 2,21 seconds
0-50km/h: 2,90 seconds
0-60km/h: 3,63 seconds
0-70km/h: 4,47 seconds
0-80km/h: 5,48 seconds
0-90km/h: 6,62 seconds
0-100km/h: 7,87 seconds
0-110km/h: 9,30 seconds
0-120km/h: 10,98 seconds
0-130km/h: 12,80 seconds
0-140km/h: 14,90 seconds
0-150km/h: 17,63 seconds
0-160km/h: 20,99 seconds
0-100m: 6,82 seconds @ 91,47km/h
0-200m: 10,26 seconds @ 115,87km/h
0-300m: 13,16 seconds @ 131,85km/h
0-400m: 15,78 seconds @ 143,37km/h
100-0km/h: 2,54 seconds @ 36,80 metres (once-off)
0-10mph: 0,91 seconds
0-20mph: 1,79 seconds
0-30mph: 2,75 seconds
0-40mph: 3,98 seconds
0-50mph: 5,53 seconds
0-60mph: 7,44 seconds
0-70mph: 9,76 seconds
0-80mph: 12,57 seconds
0-90mph: 16,12 seconds
0-100mph: 21,34 seconds
1/4 mile: 15,83 seconds @ 89,26 mph
Maximum acceleration G-force: 0,67G
Altitude: 60m
All data captured by Racelogic® Performance Box