Launching Tomorrow: 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLA Facelift

The GLA facelift might be priced lower than the pre-facelift version owing to the GST rollout

Mercedes-Benz will launch the facelift of its entry-level SUV, the GLA, tomorrow. The luxury carmaker revealed the updated GLA earlier this year at the 2017 Detroit Motor Show. The update primarily includes cosmetic changes.

The 2017 GLA facelift will get a new set of headlamps and tail lights. Mercedes-Benz is expected to equip the GLA with LED headlamps against the bi-xenon setup used previously. The front bumper gets a new design with round fog lamp assembly. The two-slat front grille now gets chrome ornaments and is all-black, unlike the previous one with a brushed aluminium finish. Mercedes-Benz has also managed to improve the aerodynamics of the SUV with the coefficient of drag now lower by 0.01 at 0.28.

Changes on the inside are more of feature updates than design enhancements. So, while you get to see a similar dashboard as before, Mercedes-Benz will have the 8.0-inch infotainment setup with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A 360-degree camera also makes its way into the feature list of the updated GLA. There will be new upholstery options for buyers as well.

The GLA is expected to retain its 2.0-litre petrol and 2.1-litre diesel engines for India. The petrol engine under the GLA’s hood makes 184PS of maximum power and 300Nm of peak torque. The diesel engine, on the other hand, is available in two states of tune. The diesel-powered GLA 200 d (two-wheel drive version) delivers 136PS of peak power and makes 300Nm of peak torque. The GLA 220 d 4MATIC (all-wheel drive) makes 170PS and 350Nm.

The Mercedes-Benz GLA competes in the entry-level compact luxury SUV segment against the BMW X1 and the Audi Q3. The GLA is assembled in India, and is expected to cost lower than before thanks to the new taxation system. Pre-GST, the GLA range started from around Rs 33 lakh in Delhi. Check out how GST has impacted car prices in India.

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