Advertisement

Practical family carrier

The Mercedes- Benz GLA is likely the most important compact car released by Mercedes-Benz.

_A QUICK _glance through the owner's manual told the story about Mercedes-Benz' small SUV, the new GLA.

It's 400 pages, and the biggest section is Navigation. The smallest section is on how to operate the conventional driving part of the car. Even the maintenance section is a mere 13 pages. But it doesn't end there. There is an additional 300-page supplement on the Mercedes-Benz "COMAND" system, which highlights the opportunities for using your GLA as a mobile home office or entertainment suite.

The GLA is an important car for Merc worldwide.

The landslide of customers falling into the arena of SUVs has unveiled a market that the brand had to be in. MB has released no fewer than four compact cars recently and this is quite likely the most important. The concept appeared at the Shanghai Motor Show a year ago, and the production version is remarkably similar.

In reality, the GLA is taller than an A Class but lower than a B Class. It boasts a Cd of 0.31, bigger wheels than the sedans, higher ground clearance, bonnet bulges that Merc ostentatiously calls "Powerdomes" and a suite of safety gizmos that would do an S Class proud. Active park assist, reversing camera, blind-spot assist and collision prevention combine to keep you out of harm's way. And, if you insist on crashing, there are nine airbags to lessen the personal damage.

The park assist deserves special mention, as the ability of the car to park itself, either parallel or end-on parking spots compensates for the difficulties caused by small rear windows and a high body sill. Shorter owners, plus those with a back seat chock-full of child's car seats will love that.

Three versions of the GLA will be on sale by the end of the year. The 200CDI is $47,900 and is in showrooms now, and is a great way to introduce the GLA concept to buyers who are looking for more practical family transport, albeit with the three-pointed star. The four-cylinder variable- geometry turbo-diesel produces 100kW of power and 300Nm of torque and it's this combination of low-down pulling power that will be most appreciated in the suburbs. The dual-clutch transmission means changes are fast and razor sharp, so the engine can stay at peak torque longer. Generally, moving around in the 200CDI is fuss-free and very economical with a combined cycle of just 4.6L/100km.

The driver and front-seat passenger are very well catered for in the GLA. It has the classic Mercedes-Benz blend of solidity and comfort. The general theme of the interior is luxury, and the suspension, steering and responsiveness do nothing to disturb that. The steering wheel is a chunky 3-spoke design with 12 function keys incorporated, and the key driving functions are included on an additional column wand on the left-hand side.

Very little engine noise intrudes, although the wind becomes noticeable around the B pillars above 90-100km/h.

In July the 250 4Matic will be released, adding $10,000 and a 155kW petrol engine with 350Nm of torque and all-wheel-drive. It's nearly three seconds faster to 100km than the diesel.

Of course, it wouldn't be a Benz without an AMG version, and the GLA 45 will be here in October, with a stonking 265kW and 450Nm of torque.

The dual-clutch transmission means

changesare fast and razor sharp, so the

engine can stay at peak torque longer.