Mercedes-Benz GLA turns heads in Metro Cebu

THERE are many things that motoring enthusiasts are excited about this year. Among them is the entry of the Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class in the competitive compact crossover segment.

Late last year, Cebu Daily News/Inquirer was lucky enough to be able to test the nifty premium crossover via Global Star Motors, the official dealer of the German carmaker in Cebu.
DRIVING AROUND

Making the date with the GLA-Class more exciting was the fact that the crossover has yet to be officially introduced in the local market as of this writing. So we expected to turn heads while we drove it around Cebu for days.

And boy did we turn heads.

The GLA 220 we had was not only attractive because of the huge three-pointed star logo at the front grille but also for its unique exterior styling.

The GLA Class  is the fifth SUV variant to the Mercedes-Benz model portfolio and is part of the line-up of Merc’s new generation compact cars (NGCC) that is expected to cater a much younger and mobile market, which explains why it has a sporty compact look.

The GLA Class shares a lot in common with the A-Class, but it has a pinch of off-road cues, which is good considering that road conditions nowadays seem more like off-road than well-paved.

The suspension is 50 millimeters higher than the A-Class’, with the well-penned front and rear layouts, big grille and body cladding around the vehicle, making it look elegantly muscular and imposing.

PERFORMANCE

The higher stance gives the driver a better driving position and a little breathing room when maneuvering the city’s pothole-infested roads.

On smoother surfaces though, the GLA Class drove superbly with confidence. The GLA 220 CDI is powered by a 2.2-liter turbo diesel engine that produces 170 horsepower and 350 newton meter of torque. Add to that mix a 7G-DCT dual clutch automatic transmission and you’ve got a very responsive powerplant to satisfy any sporty type.

Even at high speeds, the GLA maintained its composure, thanks to its sporty suspension system that promised agile handling.

Another highlight of the GLA is the new 4matic all-wheel drive system with fully variable torque distribution. This allowed the GLA to take on light “off-road” functions.

Also  interesting  was its Park Assist feature, which allowed the GLA to park on its own (parallel and perpendicular) with very little driver intervention.

Inside, the GLA boasts a mix of aluminum and soft-touch plastics. Five round air vents highlight the dashboard capped off by a large display in the middle.

The front bucket and rear seats are very sporty and comfortable. The rear can split-fold for cargo loading.

The new GLA-Class premiered at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show. When it is officially launched here, it will compete with the likes of the BMW X1 and the Audi Q3.

The Global Star Motors dealership is expected to open early this year at the Cebu Veterans Drive in Nivel Hills, Lahug, Cebu City. It will also be the new home for Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and RAM.

Photos by Lito Tecson, Cebu Daily News