The German luxury car marque has stopped offering the 2.2 diesel engine choices for their entry compact SUV. The new Mercedes GLA is expected to be revealed soon.
With climate change making its presence felt and automakers scurrying to update their models, electrify them, or both, there is little doubt that the new breed of passenger cars will be cleaner. They have to be. After all, the new Euro 6d-Temp emission norms and more stringent WLTP (Worldwide-harmonized Light-vehicle Test Procedure) standards for real-world testing as opposed to bench testing mean that carmakers have nowhere to hide.
That said, Mercedes-Benz have been busy electrifying their portfolio, with the stunningly efficient GLE 350 de plug-in hybrid turbo-diesel and the C- and E-Class line of 300 de models taking efficiency to new highs. Another popular model for them is the GLA-Class. Post a facelift, it’s now time for a change of heart. The GLA 200 d and GLA 220 d 4MATIC, sold in India, have been soldiering on with the old 2,143-cc four-pot turbo-diesel engine, adapted for transverse application, with 136 hp and 170 hp, respectively. Now, though, as with the new GLB-Class shown recently, the GLA-Class is expected to receive a similar round of updates.
In Germany, the GLA-Class is no longer being offered with diesel engine. The three variants available are all petrols: the GLA 180, the GLA 200 and the GLA 250. The new Mercedes GLA is expected to be revealed to the world soon, ahead of a likely 2020 launch. While the styling will be similar to the new A-Class – that’s also set to arrive here – the underpinnings will be the same as the GLB-Class; based on the company’s MFA (Modular Front Architecture) with transverse mounted engines that are primarily front-wheel driven. We may also expect an EQ Boost mild-hybrid set-up to improve efficiency, with the downsized engines taking care of the rest.
Of particular interest in the powertrain department of the new Mercedes GLA are what could well be the new GLA 200 d, packing a smaller OM654q 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine, making 150 hp and 320 Nm. The more powerful GLA 220 d will have 190 hp and 400 Nm. Both will sport the new 8G-DCT eight-speed dual-clutch automatic driving the front wheels, with the GLA 220 d being offered with 4MATIC all-wheel drive, if the present variant structure is preserved. Also expect a GLA 200 petrol, this time with 1,332-cc turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine making 163 hp and 250 Nm. The petrol could get the 8G-DCT, but, so far with the other siblings, it is offered with the 7G-DCT transmission. These engines meet the new proposed emission norms Euro 6d-Temp and RDE (Real Driving Emissions) level 2.
The new GLA is expected to be revealed soon, with the wraps expected to come off just as 2019 bids adieu. Further models, including the AMG high-performance version of the new Mercedes GLA will follow. This time, there could well be three: the 306-hp GLA 35, the more powerful 387-hp GLA 45 and the even more extreme 422-hp GLA 45 S. Watch this space.
Image Credit: CAR Magazine UK
