2021 Mercedes-AMG GLA45 Moves Small SUV Up the Scoville Scale
Mercedes-Benz unveiled in December its redesigned GLA subcompact SUV in the regular GLA250 and mildly spiced-up 302-horsepower AMG 35 versions. Now comes the burn-your-tongue Mercedes-AMG GLA45 with an upgraded chassis and a turbocharged four-cylinder squeezing out 382 hp.
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The new top-of-the-line — GLA pricing is not yet announced, but expect this one to be a lot for a small SUV — builds on those versions with more go-power and also additional AMG performance options not available on the lesser models. At this point, there are not really direct rivals; its main competition at launch likely will be from its tamer sibling, the AMG GLA35. In addition to 80 less hp, the 35 has less-sophisticated all-wheel-drive and suspension bits, and a 5.0-second 0-60-mph time versus 4.3 seconds for the 45. And less snob appeal: The lesser engine is AMG “enhanced” rather than AMG “handcrafted.”
The GLA45 engine, which Mercedes brags is the most powerful production four-cylinder ever, puts out 382 hp and 354 pounds-feet of torque. Its electronics include two-stage fuel injection and separate cooling management for the cylinder heads and crankcase. It’s paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic and a torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system that includes a twin-clutch rear differential. Launch control is standard.
The GLA45 also has an AMG suspension that is “thoroughly revised” for performance and to limit torque steer. It’s noteworthy that Mercedes also says that ride “comfort has been improved compared with the previous GLA45” (I found the previous 45 just short of punishing in regular driving). Adaptive suspension is available. The brakes include four-piston front calipers with 13.8-inch discs; the rear gets single-piston calipers and 13-inch discs. The AMG Dynamics Plus Package adds six-piston front brakes with bigger discs and red-painted AMG calipers all around.
There are five drive modes that alter shift patterns, accelerator and steering characteristics, suspension settings and AWD system response — with a sixth Race mode added with an optional AMG Dynamics Plus Package.
The AMG GLA45 builds on the new GLA design and the GLA35 version with more aggressive front and rear details, a domed hood and a mini-wing for the rear spoiler. The wheels are 19-inch units with up to 21-inchers optional. Inside it gets some upgraded trim and vinyl upholstery in black or optional gray-black color schemes. AMG Performance seats are available. It has the new Mercedes-Benz User Experience multimedia system, and the 45 includes a configurable instrument cluster with AMG-specific configurations. Optional is an AMG Track Pace data logger that tracks multiple vehicle functions and times on the multimedia display.
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