Among the top three German marques, Mercedes-Benz has been on the prowl with back to back launches in 2014. Till date, the brand has launched the S-Class, the GL 63 AMG, the ML 63 AMG and limited editions of the A & B Class called as Edition 1. Apart from these, the CLA & the GLA are also expected to be launched in 2014. Going by an image shared by Zigwheels, it is evident that Mercedes-Benz have commenced road testing of the GLA in India.
The testing process is clearly denoted by the camouflage all over the car and the correvit sensor attached to the rear left door.
The GLA was first revealed to the Indian customers at the 2014 Auto Expo held in Noida earlier this year. The car seen in this image is rumoured to be the petol version called the GLA 200 CGI powered by a 1.6L 4-cylinder turbocharged engine pumping 154 PS @ 5300 RPM and 250 Nm @ 1250-4000 RPM. The car will also be available with a diesel engine option called as the GLA 200 CDI, which will be powered by a 2.2L 4-cylinder turbocharged engine pumping 134 BHP @ 3400-4000 RPM and 300 Nm @ 1400-3000 RPM. Both these engines will be Euro-6 complaint. Other variants which could be on offer include the GLA 220 CDI and the GLA 45 AMG.
Mercedes-Benz claims 0-100 times at 8.9 seconds for the petrol and 10.0 seconds for the diesel powered GLA. The GLA shares its underpinnings with the A-Class, but is taller and longer than the latter. Although based on a hatchback, the GLA will be pitched as a SUV and will go head-on with the BMW X1 & the Audi Q3.
Mercedes-Benz GLA spied testing in India