Mercedes-Benz GLA45 AMG

The Mercedes-AMG 2.0L 4-cylinder turbo engine, first applied on the A45 AMG last year, brewed a new age for the high-performance brand of Mercedes-Benz and while this new engine pushed the A45 AMG as the most powerful hot hatch ever made, this engine scored two victories for Mercedes-AMG. It won two categories of the "Engine of the Year Awards 2014" in "New engine 2014" and "1.8L to 2.0L", showing the world how great AMG is. With the engine now in A45 and its CLA45 compact sedan, looks like the GLA-Class compact crossover will join the fray as the GLA45 AMG.

2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA45 AMG

Well, here it is and by its first appearance, it doesn't look that different from the A45 AMG, which is based on and when you park it alongside the CLA45 and the A45 AMG, you will notice that these triplets truly shared the same blood. When it's in the blood, it's in the blood.

2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA45 AMG interior

Before the sortie, let's observe what's what about the GLA45 AMG. Well, yes. It's a jacked-up A45 AMG so you do get the similar looks from the A45 AMG. On the inside, it's a similar issue as well. The interior can be fitted with numerous extras such as a steering wheel wrapped in black nappa leather or Alcantara, seats upholstered in ARTICO man-made leather or DINAMICA microfiber, carbon-fiber trim, and different upholstery colors. That's sound unique and then we take a look at the engine that powers it.

The AMG 2.0L 4-cylinder turbo engine, found int he A45 and CLA45. develops 360PS of power and 450Nm of torque. It's mated with an AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7-speed gearbox. How does it perform? I'll tell you that when it's sortie time.

Speaking of sortie time, it's time now for the GLA45's sortie and this is the perfect time to explain how does the GLA45 perform in the world around it and why this high-performance crossover should aware the various regions in the world that surrounds it. This can do 0-100kph in 4.8 seconds, slower than the A45 AMG, and the top speed electronically limited to 250kph. For a crossover, that's quicker than memorizing the whole "real Chinese soup" jingle from your head, but as a car, this is a different topic that needs further explanation.

Reason why it's slower than the A45 is because the GLA45 is somewhat 30kg heavier than the A45 AMG and when it comes to fuel consumption, not as good as the A45 because while the A45's fuel consumption is a combined 14.5km/L, the GLA45 would do it in 13.3km/L. That's a double whammy for the AMG crossover but don't be silly because we're not going to compare it to the A45, we'll be using the RS Q3 as its chief rival.

When compared to the RS Q3, the GLA45 really top trumps it. It's 0.7 seconds quicker in the 0-100kph time, 145kg lighter than the RS Q3, and it's 1.9km/L more fuel efficient than the RS Q3. Yeah. Simple as that.

2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA45 AMG

In the mobility stakes, the GLA45 really made me unaware because why would some people think that it's more fun to have one than the car that looks quite the same? The A45 AMG is a good hot hatch but its mobility, thanks to its power steering, really needs some tough love from the driver especially when it comes with the 4MATIC 4-wheel drive system. On the GLA45 though, that's a similar issue but because it's heavier than the A45 AMG, it's kinda nowhere near as good in the corners. Yes, you do get some understeering issues, but with patience and mastery, you would really know how to mobilize it like an ace.

Since this is a crossover, what if you were in the case of tarmac, gravel, and snow? Thanks to the 4MATIC system and its high ground clearance, taking it to the dirt is all's well that performs well, although Mercedes-AMG still need some improvement though. Being a high-performance model, the GLA45 may not be quite suitable for your adventures as summer draws near to the climax and for day-to-day use, it's a so-so. It has a slightly bigger boot fit enough for your stuff you spent from shopping or groceries. It's a decent all-rounder because this crossover is made for the job but as a theory, it needs reworking to get the job done.

2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA45 AMG

So, should you buy one? Uh...not quite yet because the GLA45's intro price starts at 55,871 Euros, which is almost six grand more than the A45 and it's almost 1,300 Euros more than the Audi RS Q3 but as part of the AMG suvs, this is affordable to buy unless you are a mogul breaking things badly for science. Well, that's the end of it. While it's not quite as good as an A45, I certainly don't want the GLA45 to be in the pile of shame, although it could need some work done before its next sortie on the next day.

Photo: Mercedes-Benz