Mercedes-Benz just revealed their updated GLA range of compact luxury crossovers in Detroit at the North American International Auto Show.
For 2018, this family is receiving a broad array of enhancements, though there are no truly groundbreaking changes.
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The mainstream GLA250 is dressed up with restyled bumpers front and rear that should help improve overall aerodynamics, there are also fresh wheel designs and a standard rear-view camera. For extra cash, there’s an available hands-free liftgate and LED headlamps that use 60 percent less energy than the old bi-xenon units they replace. Canyon Beige is a fresh exterior color for the new model year.
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Moving inside, an eight-inch display is now standard and drivers are treated to a fresh instrument-cluster design. Further gussying things up, there’s new trim, plus Android Auto is now supported by the optional smartphone integration package. For the first time in the GLA, you can also get a new parking assist package, which features a surround-view camera.
Yep, there’s not a whole lot going on here; even the 2018 GLA250’s powertrain carries over. You get a familiar 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that delivers the same 208 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque that it did before. All-wheel drive is, once again, optional.
But getting your blood pumping is the AMG-tuned GLA45, which has also been slathered in fanciness for 2018, gaining a reworked front apron and roof spoiler lip, both of which improve stability while reducing wind resistance. There are also new intake grilles and standard LED headlights.
As before, power is provided by a handcrafted 2.0-liter turbocharged engine that’s good for the same 375-horse stampede as last year. The seven-ratio Speedshift automatic transmission’s ratios have been revised for even quicker acceleration. 4Matic all-wheel drive is standard, helping the GLA45 rocket to 60 miles an hour in as little as 4.3 seconds.
Further upping the ante, an exclusive AMG Performance Studio Package is available on the CLA45 an GLA45 models. These extra-exclusive vehicles are painted black and feature various matte gray and yellow accents. Their interiors get a similarly bright color scheme.
That’s a quick look at the updated 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class. These vehicles should go on sale in the U.S. this summer. Pricing has yet to be determined.
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