Mercedes unveils GLA Class concept before Shanghai motor show
Just two days before the 2013 Shanghai Motor Show, Mercedes has took the wraps of the concept avatar of GLA Class. As you must already know by now, this concept will transform into a BMW X1/Audi Q3 rival when it hits the production line.
While the BMW X1 took the market by storm in 2009, Audi responded with the Q3 in 2011. Mercedes, on the other hand, took its own sweet time to work on the GLA. After looking at this GLA design study, we think Mercedes has done a fabulous job. The wait was indeed worth it.
On a passing glance, the GLA looks like a A-Class on steroids. In some sense that observation is true because underneath the GLA is Mercedes’ MFA platform which also supports the A Class. The production model will share the wheelbase of the A Class but will be slightly larger in size.
The GLA Concept is 4.38 meters long, 1.97 meters wide and.57 meters tall with a 2.69 meters wheelbase. The front features a butch styling with a bulging hood, sweptback headlights, raked windscreen, chrome skid plate and huge air dams.
On the side, you can see muscular wheel arches with plastic moldings, 20-inch alloys covered by 255/45 R20 tires and very interesting roof rails with LED lightings.
At the rear, one is greeted with dual chrome exhaust, stylish LED tail lamps, a roof mounted rear spoiler and yet another chrome protection plate.
On the inside, you find some really futuristic looking seats wrapped in beige interiors. The dashboard is very similar to the current A Class with two air vents popping out from the front-central arm rest.
Of course, a lot of these very flashy design details may not make it to the production model. We will have to wait until the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show in September to see the production model of the GLA.
[Source: Worldcarfans.com]