Deliciously Fast: The 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA45 AMG
Its hand-built, direct-injected and turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine serves up 355 horsepower and 332 lb.-ft. of torque. Those figures make it “the most powerful series-production four-cylinder engine in the world.” AMG’s 4MATIC all-wheel-drive and SPEEDSHIFT DCT dual-clutch seven-speed transmission digest that potent stock. All of those ingredients combine to allow the GLA45 to charge from 0-60 in 4.8 seconds, on its way to an electronically limited 155 mph.
AMG threw some high-quality ingredients into the pot, including a forged steel crankshaft and forged pistons. A twin-scroll turbocharger quickly brews up torque, even at low revs. Customers will be able to order the GLA45 with a sports exhaust or an AMG Performance system, both of which feature an automatic variable vane in the rear muffler that’s adjusted according to performance needs, load and rpms.
There are three transmission maps available for different appetites. “C” stands for Controlled Efficiency and activates the ECO start/stop function; the combination ends up tasting like sweet, sweet fuel savings. “M” calls up a faster-shifting manual mode. There’s even a high-performance “Momentary M mode,” a la the SLS AMG Black Series. “S” translates to – you guessed it – sport shifting. RACE START slings out peak acceleration. Depending on which letter is selected, the DCT can even double-declutch.
The Electronic Stability Program has been flavored with caffeinated driving in mind. It can be turned on, to “SPORT Handling Mode” or off.
Tuned springs and dampers, bigger anti-roll bars, a McPherson axle in the front and a four-link unit in the rear are baked into AMG’s sport suspension. Buyers can pick from three styles of wheel-shaped silverware, ranging from 19 to 20 inches.
As with food, presentation is everything when it comes to automobiles. The GLA45’s exterior can be garnished with things such as carbon fiber side mirror housings, an aerodynamics package which includes a splitter and flics up front and a spoiler in the rear, and red brake calipers. Drivers can treat themselves to interior finery such as carbon fiber trim, a black nappa leather/Alcantara performance steering wheel, front sports seats and red designo seat belts.
Those with pickier palettes can request the dressed-up Edition 1, which is carted out on red-flanged matte black alloy wheels that simulate the look of central-lock rollers.
The Affalterbach-spiced GLA comes on the menu at the right time. Tobias Moers, Chairman of the Management Board at Mercedes-AMG GmbH, says, “Currently no segment is growing faster than that of compact SUVs.” We’ll have to wait to see which dish youthful target customers that “take a great interest in styling, dynamics and independence” order more: the GLA45 AMG or the 400-horsepower Porsche Macan Turbo.
Mercedes-Benz will take the lid of off the AMG-spec GLA at Detroit’s North American International Auto Show on Monday, Jan. 13. You can taste it for yourself at a dealer near you this fall.
