Escape The Everyday
Mercedes-Benz announced today that it will debut the Concept GLA premium compact SÚV at the Shanghai auto show (April 21- 29). The Concept GLA blends dramatic styling with clear functionality for recreational use. Únder the hood of this new concept vehicle (length/width/height: 172.5/77.8/62.1 inches) sits a four-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine rated at 208 hp with a displacement of 2.0 liters. Its power is transmitted to the road via the 7-speed dual clutch automatic transmission and 4MATIC all-wheel drive. A unique highlight is the new headlamps featuring laser technology, which not only shine more light on the road, but also function as projectors.'The Concept GLA marks a new approach for us in the compact SÚV segment – this is a sporty and more coupé-like evolution of this category of vehicle', commented Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Executive Vice President Mercedes-Benz Cars, Sales and Marketing. 'The Concept GLA is a compact SÚV that combines its sporting spirit with the all-round qualities of a tough, leisure-time companion. 'Escape the everyday' is the message that this car conveys to its driver. It also makes clear the further potential of our compact vehicle architecture, which provides the basis for the A- and B-Class models that led the German market in their respective segments in the first quarter of 2013.'Clever use of SÚV design cues: the exterior designClear evidence of the innovative thinking on the part of the designers that has gone into this concept vehicle is provided by a number of distinctive features. These include the powerful hood with its powerdomes and a bold radiator grille with centrally positioned star. The new trim surrounding the star merges elegantly into two horizontal bars. Also new are the 'softcubes': these are soft, raised pads that help to give definition to the radiator grille and are also found on the side sill panels and surrounding the exhaust tailpipes.The distinctive door mirrors, with their twin supporting struts, are fitted with a protective grille. This, like the skid plate at the front, is very typical of an SÚV. The striking appearance of the Concept GLA is also due in no small part to its silver Alubeam paint finish.Even when viewed from the side, the Concept GLA conveys a sense of power and confidence. This reinforces the overall design philosophy behind the vehicle with a 'dropping line' that extends from the headlamp to the rear wheel arch. The beltline trim rises slightly from the rear door towards the C- pillar. Together with the light-catching contour formed by the curvature of the vehicle flank and the line that rises from the level of the door sill towards the dropping line, this creates a unique interplay of lines that adds to the sense of powerful elegance. The slim door handles of the five-door vehicle are fully recessed, emerging at the touch of a button. The frameless side windows also emphasize the coupé characteristics of this concept vehicle.The 20-inch wheels, with their distinctive five-spoke turbine design, are shod in size 255/45 R 20 tires. These have been specifically created for the Concept GLA: their tread pattern continues the lines of the spokes in an optical illusion that makes the wheel spokes appear longer.The muscular haunches above the rear axle, accentuated by the way the C-pillar is pulled in slightly, extend to the rear over the light clusters, also emphasizing the broad stance of the tail end. The result is a powerfully taut arc that nevertheless avoids aggression. This impression is reinforced by the curvature of the rear window and the elegant chrome strip between the rear light clusters. The large roof spoiler is another eye-catching feature. This follows through very neatly on the structure of the rear roof paneling and provides the housing for the additional brake light.Further SÚV references, such as a load sill guard and a concealing skid plate fascia panel, highlight the rear bumper. The twin-pipe exhaust system complete the SVÚ's aggressive appearance.The tailgate features a power closing system that allows it to be opened or closed at the touch of a button. Opening the tailgate with its integrated rear light cluster reveals supplementary lights to warn approaching vehicles of the open tailgate. Further light clusters are housed in the rear cross member between the roof rails.Perfect craftsmanship: the interior
In terms of its design, the interior reflects a clear alignment with the interiors of the other new compact Mercedes-Benz models, reinterpreted here for a sophisticated and exceptionally high-quality SÚV. It is dominated by an exciting contrast of leather and dark galvanized aluminum. The four individual seats and the door center panels are upholstered in natural leather in a rich brown tone. Both color and workmanship bring the image of a saddle to mind: all in all, the Concept GLA incorporates more than 65 feet of hand-stitched seams to hold the raw edges of the leather together. The seat cushions, which feature central inlay panels in a high-quality canvas material, display an embossed pattern that continues the saddle theme. An illuminated insert is set into the integrated head restraint of each of the four sports seats.
Show time! The front headlamps of the Concept GLA are each fitted with a laser-beam projector. These not only provide the light to drive by, but are also capable of projecting pictures or videos onto a screen or other surface. Any media format that can be operated through the COMAND system can serve as a source: pictures or video from a smartphone, the internet, or from a hard drive.Alternatively, the action can be produced live. The Concept GLA is fitted with two cameras, housed in the front roof rail. And these can be used for far more than just 3D images taken as the Concept GLA drives along: the HD cameras can be removed and, for example, fitted to a mountain bike helmet. An additional lamp unit in each camera ensures that the lighting is right, whatever the situation. As an alternative to the projection option, movies may also be viewed inside the car on the COMAND screen.The laser-beam projectors represent far more than simply an academic exercise on the part of the engineers and designers at Mercedes-Benz. As a further enhancement of the head-up display, they could also help to improve road safety: the technology could be used, for example, to project the directional instructions from the navigation system onto the road in the form of arrows – in this way other drivers and pedestrians would be able to see where a driver is heading.Laser and LED technology: the headlamps
It is not only the laser-beam projectors and their visible cooling system with rotating vents that make the shimmering blue headlamps of the Concept GLA such an interesting feature. With the 'Coming home' function, the blue light begins to pulsate to indicate that the vehicle is ready and waiting for its driver.While the driving lights are the first use of a laser beam reflected off a mirror, the daytime running lamps, with their characteristic 'torch' effect, and the indicator lights use LEDs. The indicators feature digital chase lighting strips which blink in a progressive 'wave' pattern familiar from the Concept Style Coupé.Source - Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz
Similar Vehicles
Recent Vehicle Additions
Related Automotive News
The New Mercedes-Benz GLA
More character, more space, more safety
Stuttgart. The new GLA, the eighth model to join the line-up globally, rounds off the current compact-car generation from Mercedes-Benz. At the same time it is the entry-level model in the brands successful...
48 V Technology For The E-Class Coupé And Cabriolet: New Engine, Additional Models And Even More Equipment
Fuel consumption combined 7.3– 4.8 l100 km Combined CO2 emissions 164 - 126 gkm*
A newly developed four-cylinder petrol engine boasting the performance of a high-capacity six-cylinder engine yet with significantly reduced fuel consumption...
PRICING AND SPECIFICATION FOR NEW MERCEDES-BENZ C-CLASS CABRIOLET REVEALED
Prices start at £36,200 OTR for petrol-powered C 200
Aircap, Airscarf and Memory Package come as standard
Choice of two trim lines and diesel and petrol engines – plus high-performance Mercedes-AMG models
Electrically-operated fabric roof offered...
MULTI-TALENTED MERCEDES-BENZ GLA250 ADDS UPGRADED TECH FOR 2016
December 16, 2015 - ATLANTA
With its progressive design, comfortable everyday driving, off-road capability and versatility, the Mercedes-Benz GLA is a decidedly progressive interpretation of the compact SUV. All-new for model year 2015, the GLA...
BMW ANNOUNCES PRICING FOR ALL-NEW X5 SPORTS ACTIVITY VEHICLE
Woodcliff Lake, NJ – June 24th, 2013 … It isnt often that an automobile manufacturer gets to launch an entirely new vehicle segment, but thats exactly what BMW did in 1999 when it introduced the worlds first Sports Activity Vehicle – the BMW X5. Two...