Mercedes spices up its GLA compact SUV with AMG sauce. 

Expectedly, the GLA compact SUV receives AMG treatment. Things start of course under the hood where the powertrain of the rather unruly A 45 AMG is fitted. The 1991 cm3 four cylinder turbocharged engine puts out the same 450 Nm of torque from 2250 to 5000 rpm, with power peaking at  360hp à 6000 rpm. This output remains a record for a mass produced 4 pot engine. The turbocharger benefits from twinscroll technology to reduce lag at low revs while still blowing up to 1.8 bar to achieve the very respectable 181hp per liter of displacement. Transmission is entrusted to a 7 gear twin clutch AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT, sending torque to all four wheels through the 4Matic system. In normal driving conditions, it is biased towards fuel efficiency, sending all torque to the front wheels, but when traction is challenged, torque distribution to the rear wheels can go up to 50%. Performance is a claimed 0-100 km/h in 4.8s and a top speed governed at 250 km/h. NEDC normalized gas consumption is 7.5 L/100km. The sport exhaust system includes an active valve to provide comfort on long trips while rewarding the driver with a distinctive note when things get naughtier.

The chassis has been revised to cope with the performance envelope of the engine. The front McPherson struts benefit from stiffer connections, and the multilink rear suspension is a new development. Spring and damping rates of the standard AMG sport suspension are revised, and beefier anti-roll bars are fitted. The GLA 45 AMG can also be specified with an optional AMG Performance suspension. Standard equipment includes AMG 5 spoke alloy rims shod with 235/45 R 19 tires. As an option, 10 spoke alloys with 235/40 R 20 tires are available as well.

Cosmetic treatment is atuned to the sportier definition of the GLA AMG, with specific front facia design, radiator grille and AMG marking. Bi-xenon headlights are standard equipment. Several cosmetic packages are offered as options.

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