Detroit 2017: Mercedes-Benz Unveils Facelifted GLA

The new GLA is finally here, unveiled at this year's Detroit motorshow. Mercedes-Benz has seen solid performance from their trio of A-Class based models (the A-Class itself, the CLA, and the GLA), and the GLA is about due for a facelift as well. With the facelift come updates to the exterior and the interior, as well as more variety in options and more efficient engines.

There are three chassis options for customers overseas- a standard comfort suspension, a more dynamic lowered suspension, and one specific for off-road comfort that raises the ride height by 30 mm. Coefficient of drag has dropped by 0.01 through redesigned bumpers, mirrors, a roof spoiler, and a different A-pillar shape.

On the inside, the largest changes are in new seat covers and trim parts, as well as chrome covered control panels. There's an 8-inch media display was per the older models, but there are new dials for the instrument cluster with sporty red needles. Mercedes is offering two lines, Style and Urban, and each line has a distinct feel and colour palette.

For those who don't fancy the sport seats, there is also the Exclusive package that trades the standard seats out for more traditional SUV style seats. Features and specifications will vary from country to country, but the facelift also brings hands-free boot access- something not previously available for the GLA. 

Available as options are new daylight-coloured LED headlamps. The high performance units replace the current bi-Xenon headlamps, and use 60% less energy than xenon lights or 70% less energy than halogen lights. They are projectors and have daytime running light functionality as well. The sytem continues to the back as well, where the LED tail lamps operate in three stages: bright during the day, medium during night driving, and low when stopped at night. 

The GLA 45 also receives updates with this facelift, not least among which is the newer 381 hp engine that came with the A 45 facelift. There's also the newer revised 7-speed DCT transmission and, of course, the all-wheel drive 4MATIC system as standard. As for the rest of the car, it remains largely the same as before- but that's a good thing as the GLA 45 was a fairly impressive all-rounder.