GLA 45 Sports Brawnier Exterior, Packs More Power for 2021

Adaptive Damping System AMG RIDE CONTROL

The adaptive damping system AMG RIDE CONTROL enables the driver to choose between three different suspension control modes. The spectrum ranges from comfort-focused to very sporty. The system operates automatically, adapting the damping forces for each wheel according to the driving situation and road conditions. This happens within milliseconds and is infinitely variable, with a wide spread of damping characteristics. The result is that ride comfort and agility are enhanced in equal measure.

Robust High-performance Brake System

The high-performance braking system ensures fade-resistant deceleration and short braking distances. On the GLA 45, the 4-piston fixed front calipers act on 13.8 x 1.3 in brake discs, while at the rear axle, 1-piston floating calipers act on 13.0 x 0.9 in brake discs. The discs are internally ventilated and perforated to better dissipate heat and prevent brake fading, even with extreme use. The grey-painted brake calipers feature white AMG lettering.

When equipped with the optional AMG DYNAMIC PLUS package, the GLA 45 utilizes an even larger brake system equipped with 6-piston fixed calipers and 14.2 x 1.4-inch brake discs at the front. In this application, the brake calipers are painted red and display a black AMG logo.

Steering with Special Rack & Variable Ratio

The electromechanical AMG speed-sensitive power steering supports a sporty driving style with direct cornering properties. It has a special rack with a variable transmission ratio and two characteristic curves: depending on which drive program the driver has selected, it provides taut and sporty or more comfort-biased steering feedback. The rigid mounting in the integral carrier connects the steering even better with the body and thus increases steering precision.

Wide Spread of Drive Programs

The six AMG DYNAMIC SELECT drive programs “Slippery”, “Comfort”, “Sport”, “Sport+”, “Individual” and “RACE” (included in the optional AMG DYNAMIC PLUS package) allow a wide spread of vehicle characteristics, from comfortable to highly dynamic. Numerous relevant parameters are modified:

• Powertrain: Accelerator pedal characteristics, shift times and shift timing in the variants Reduced, Moderate, Sport or Dynamic
• AMG DYNAMICS: Agility functions such as all-wheel control, steering characteristics and ESP®  functions in Basic, Advanced, Pro or Master variants (included in the optional AMG DYNAMIC PLUS)
• Suspension: in Comfort, Sport, Sport+
• Exhaust system: sound and nature of the sound functions, Balanced or Powerful

AMG DYNAMICS for Enhanced Agility & High Stability

As a new feature in the AMG DYNAMIC SELECT drive programs, the new GLA 45 comes with AMG DYNAMICS. This integrated agility control facility extends the stabilizing functions of ESP® with agility-enhancing intervention in the all- wheel-drive control, steering characteristics and additional ESP® functions. When cornering at speed, for example, brief braking intervention at the inner rear wheel generates a defined yawing motion around the vertical axis for responsive and precise control into the bend.

The spectrum ranges from extremely stable to highly dynamic. On the multimedia display, when a drive program is selected, the new AMG DYNAMICS symbol is displayed together with the corresponding additional information.

• “Basic” is assigned to the “Slippery” and “Comfort” drive programs. In this case, the characteristics include very stable handling with a high level of yaw damping.
• “Advanced” is activated in “Sport” mode. The GLA 45 remains neutrally balanced. The lower yaw damping, lower steering angle requirement and enhanced agility support dynamic maneuvers such as driving on winding country roads.
• “Pro” (short for “Professional”) belongs to the “Sport+” program. In “Pro” the driver receives even more assistance for dynamic driving while agility and feedback from the road when cornering are further enhanced.
• “Master” is linked to the “RACE” driving mode (included in the optional AMG DYNAMIC PLUS package). “Master” mode is aimed at drivers who want to experience dynamism and the driving enjoyment on closed-off circuits. “Master” offers a vehicle balance with slight oversteer, a low steering angle requirement and more agile steering. In this way, “Master” ensures maximum agility and fully exploits the dynamic potential. To activate “Master” mode, the driver must use the separate button in the center console to switch the ESP® to ESP® SPORT Handling Mode or ESP® OFF.

In the “Individual” drive program, the driver can set the AMG DYNAMICS levels “Basic”, “Advanced”, “Pro” and “Master” themselves. The setting can also be directly selected using the AMG steering-wheel buttons.

Reinforced Body Shell

The AMG developers extensively reinforced the body shell, as this provides the basis for the precise self-steering characteristics, as well as track and camber stability, even when driving at high speed. A lightweight aluminum plate bolted underneath the engine, known as the “shearing plate”, increases the torsional rigidity at the vehicle’s front end. In addition, diagonal struts at the front and rear of the underbody further improve rigidity. The result: significantly reduced longitudinal and lateral torsional movement of the body shell and less rolling and pitching motion during cornering, braking and load changes.

Athletic & Muscular Exterior

The exterior of the new GLA 45 also packs plenty of dynamic appeal: the long hood with its powerdomes, the compact greenhouse and the muscular shoulders over the wheel arches clearly reveal the vehicle’s sports car genes. The AMG- specific radiator grille with the vertical slats identifies the newcomer as a member of the AMG Performance family.
Standard LED High Performance headlamps illuminate the road ahead. The car’s strong presence is also enhanced by the flared wheel arches of its front fenders and by the large air intakes with silver chrome inserts. The front splitter in silver chrome serves to optimize the airflow and aerodynamic performance.

In side view, the aerodynamically optimized 19-inch light-alloy wheels in a 10-spoke design and the door panels with inserts in silver chrome or optional high-gloss black are particularly striking. As an option, this compact Performance SUV can also be fitted with 21-inch light-alloy wheels.

The rear view is highlighted by two round twin tailpipes (3.2 in diameter) and a wide rear bumper. The impression of width at the rear is emphasized further by the slim two-piece rear light clusters. The diffuser with four vertical fins contributes to the enhanced aerodynamic performance. The airflow break-away edge in body color on the roof spoiler rounds off the distinctive rear profile.

Close Connection Between Driver & Machine

With its sporty appointments and MBUX infotainment system, the high-quality interior creates a close, personal alliance between driver and machine. The driver and front passenger are seated in a commanding position on contoured sport seats with firm lateral support. AMG Performance seats are optionally available. The standard upholstery features a combination of black MB-Tex with DINAMICA, with distinctive AMG highlights such as the double topstitching in red. The red seat belts are coordinated to match, as is the AMG carbon fiber-look trim in the dashboard. As an option, a striking upholstery in MB-Tex in Neva Grey/Black with mid-grey double topstitching and light-longitudinal-grain aluminum trim is also available. There is also an optional choice of four different leather upholsteries.

The center console in piano black lacquer-look includes a touchpad control as standard. The console also features a further control array with additional switches for controlling the 3-stage ESP, the manual transmission mode and the optional adaptive damping system AMG RIDE CONTROL.

MBUX Infotainment System with AMG-specific Displays

The combination of sporty design with sophisticated details is also featured in the MBUX infotainment system with its innovative operating and display concept. MBUX creates an even closer connection between the vehicle, driver and passengers. Appealing presentations enhance the clear control structure and feature brilliant maximum-resolution 3D graphics. Visually, the two displays under one shared glass cover blend into a Widescreen Cockpit and emphasize the horizontal orientation of the interior design.

The customer can choose between the three AMG display styles “Classic”, “Sport” and “Supersport” for the instrument cluster. The “Supersport” mode is particularly striking with a central, round rev counter and additional information presented in the form of bars to the left and right of the rev counter: with a three-dimensional perspective, they reach far into the background to an artificial horizon. Via the AMG menu, the driver can call up various special displays such as gear speed indicator, Warm-up, Set-up, G-Meter, RACETIMER and Engine Data. With individual AMG displays such as visualization of the driving modes or telemetry data, the touchscreen multimedia display also reinforces the dynamic configuration.

And needless to say, the trailblazing voice control activated with the words “Hey Mercedes” is also on board. Thanks to artificial intelligence, MBUX recognizes and understands nearly all sentences from the fields of infotainment and vehicle operation, even if they are expressed indirectly.

Available AMG Performance Steering Wheel with Steering-wheel Buttons

A perfect symbiosis between the driver and vehicle is ensured by the multifunction sport steering wheel in Nappa leather with a flattened steering wheel rim and perforated grip area, and depending on the upholstery, red or black topstitching and a facing in silver chrome. The galvanized steering wheel shift paddles allow for an even sportier driving style with manual shift operations.

The AMG Performance steering wheel is available in Nappa leather, DINAMICA as well as Nappa leather/DINAMICA. The available AMG steering-wheel buttons allow the AMG drive programs to be accessed directly, and other AMG functions to be conveniently operated directly from the steering wheel.

AMG TRACK PACE

AMG TRACK PACE, the virtual race engineer, is optionally available on the new GLA 45. This software is part of the MBUX infotainment system, and when negotiating a race circuit it continuously monitors more than 80 vehicle-specific data (e.g. speed, acceleration). On top of this, lap and sector times are displayed, as well as the respective difference from a reference time. Because specific display elements are shown in green or red, the driver is able to see at a glance without reading numbers whether they are currently faster or slower than their best time.

After putting in some fast laps, the driver can use the data to analyze and, as necessary, improve their driving skills. In addition, acceleration and deceleration values (e.g. 0-60 mph, ¼ mile, 60-0 mph) can be measured and saved. Thanks to a newly developed algorithm which determines the vehicle position as precisely as possible, AMG TRACK PACE even detects when the circuit has been left or it has been shortened. This is done using GPS data as well as the sensors available in the vehicle (acceleration, gyroscope, steering angle, wheel speeds).

The data are displayed on the multimedia display, in the instrument cluster and on the optional head-up display. Well- known race tracks like, for example, the Nürburgring or Spa Francorchamps, are already stored. Furthermore, it is also possible to record your own circuits. The map display can be switched from 2D to 3D and updated online.

The MBUX Augmented Reality function also allows the ideal line of a stored race track to be displayed on the multimedia display or optional head-up display, allowing the driver to improve lap times with a virtual instructor on board.

Sound & Audio Experience

The AMG exhaust system asserts the sporty yet versatile character of the new GLA 45. Depending on the chosen drive program, the sound signature ranges from harmonious and discreet (in the programs Slippery, Comfort and Sport) to dynamic and sporty (in Sport+ and RACE). The sound characteristics are controlled by an exhaust gas flap, depending on engine speed and load.

Technical Data at a Glance

* Electronically limited

Photos: Mercedes-AMG

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