SPIED: Mercedes’ Direct Assault on Q3, Compact Crossover GLA Snapped in India

If you think the Duster and the EcoSport is a bit infra dig for you, here is something that you would like. The Merc compact crossover the GLA is here and you can advance book yours for a paltry INR 1 lac at your nearest Mercedes Benz showroom. The deliveries will commence during the festival season in October/November this year.

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In a series of photographs shared by a reader of Indianautosblog, the upcoming crossover is seen riding a trailer at some place in Pune and is spied for the first time in India. The photographs are of the rear and rear-third-quart of the car and it looks like the base model of this compact crossover.

The GLA concept showcased earlier at various venues was one bling of a kit, but apparently Merc has decided to tone it down to suit the taste of its clientele as well as the economics of competing with the likes of the Volvo V40, the Audi Q3, and the BMW X1.

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The concept showcased in April (at Shanghai) had a 2.0-L turbo petrol capable of around 211 PS (208 bhp). The drivetrain consisted of a four wheel drive system powered through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. One of the production models has the similar set up as well as other variants with option of a 6-speed manual with front-wheel-drive and/or all wheel drive (4MATIC).

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The Merc‘s 4MATIC works as a front-wheel system during the normal driving conditions, but a clutch on the rear axle can send up to 50% of power to the back wheels depending on the traction on difficult or slippery surface.

The other engine and power options are:

  • The 1.6-litre petrol with 154 bhp
  • The 2.1 diesel engines 134 bhp
  • The 2.1-litre diesel with 168 bhp

The expected price for the Mercedes GLA is in the region of INR 27 lacs to INR 30 lacs. The Audi Q3 goes for INR 25-30 lacs, the Volvo V40 for around INR 32 lacs, and the BMW X1 depending on the model goes from INR 31 lacs to 36 lacs (All ex-showroom New Delhi).

Related: First Ever Spyshots of Mercedes CLA 45 AMG From Mumbai; Launch Soon

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