First, Mercedes-AMG introduced the A45, one of the hottest pocket rockets ever. Soon after, they launched the CLA45, the “four-door coupe” variant of the A45. Now, they’ve come up with the GLA45, the crossover member of the “45” family, which will be joined by a Shooting Brake estate in due course.
What we have here is the GLA45 AMG, basically an upsized A45 hatchback, with which it shares virtually all its mechanical (and maniacal) parts. The GLA45 is quite a unique proposition if you ignore upmarket turbo hot hatches such as the Audi S3 Sportback, MINI Cooper S John Cooper Works (new one in the works) and Volkswagen Golf R. The GLA45’s closest competitor is probably Audi’s RS Q3.
But the Audi isn’t coming to Singapore anytime soon, whereas the Merc will arrive sometime in the fourth quarter of this year, soon after the local debut of the regular GLA. 
The “GL” in the model name implies a familial link to Mercedes’ GL and GLK, which are SUVs with genuine off-roading capabilities. But the GLA45 is actually a suburban “soft-roader”, designed to combine the everyday practicality of a five-door hatchback with the rugged style and generous ride height of an SUV. The muscular newcomer looks good, especially on the optional 20-inch “boots” that fill up the wheel arches nicely and make the car’s road presence even more, um, present.
In terms of dimensions, the GLA45 is a little wider (by 24mm), and a lot longer and taller (by 86mm and 62mm respectively) than the A45, while having the same wheelbase. Its ride height has been increased by more than 40mm vis-à-vis the A45, but the car still sits 15mm lower than the non-AMG GLA. As a whole, the GLA45 looks more like a large hatchback than a true SUV, and you might need more than one glance to distinguish it immediately from the A45.
Like the ultra-supermini, the GLA45 will be available in its first year with the Edition 1 package, which emphasises the car’s go-faster character with aerodynamic addenda, strategically placed red highlights (brake callipers included) and a set of 20-inch multi-spoke AMG light-alloy wheels. These additions boost the exterior aggressiveness that’s already in-your-face, such as the big-and-deep air intakes, quadruple exhaust tailpipes and carbon fibre trim.
Inside the cockpit, it’s essentially the A45 but with an elevated driving position. So you also get the same “German need for speed” elements – supportive front bucket seats, a sporty steering wheel, brushed-aluminium instrument panel with AMG-customised instruments, rubber-studded stainless steel pedals, and red seatbelts. Alcantara and carbon fibre are available to make the cockpit (look) even more ready to run on a racing circuit.
The GLA45 can do the school run, too. Being on the A-Class wheelbase means rear legroom is nothing special, but headroom is better and the 421-litre boot is a useful 80 litres bigger than the A45’s.
There’s enough space in the GLA45, and more than enough pace. Its turbocharged 2-litre 4-cylinder powerplant produces a punchy 360bhp and 450Nm, the latter pulling with gusto from just above 2000rpm. The century sprint is accomplished – no, demolished – in 4.8 seconds, which is bat-out-of-hell fast.
Helping the car (or bat) to speed ahead is the 7-speed AMG Speedshift dual-clutch transmission. Its actions are precise and sweet, with lightning-quick gearchanges that correspond to every throttle-pedal input, accompanied by crackles-and-pops from the AMG Performance exhaust system. The aural assault becomes an onslaught when the tacho needle blasts past 5000rpm, which is ideally enjoyed in a tunnel or on an underpass. That free-revving engine is dominant yet compliant, and it operates as smoothly at the redline as it does at 3000rpm, without ever feeling breathless.
The communicative steering has an agreeable amount of heft and feel, which enables the driver to harness the car’s eagerness, agility and utter accuracy when tackling curvy mountain roads. Even when accelerating aggressively over slippery surfaces, the 4Matic all-wheel-drive provides the necessary traction. The ride is firm like the A45, but more forgiving of cracks and creases in the tarmac. Only the sharpest edges send vibrations into the cabin from the suspension, which is fairly pliant considering its racy setup and sporty 19-inch shoes.
In conclusion, the GLA45 looks, feels and goes like a grown-up A45. Both are junior AMGs for overgrown boyracers (with “big toy” finances), but the bigger model is more practical and more comfortable to boot.
SPECIFICATIONS
DRIVETRAIN
TYPE Inline-4, 16-valves, turbocharged
CAPACITY 1991cc
BORE X STROKE 83mm x 92mm
COMPRESSION RATIO 8.6:1
MAX POWER 360bhp at 6000rpm
MAX TORQUE 450Nm at 2250-5000rpm
POWER TO WEIGHT 238.4bhp per tonne
GEARBOX 7-speed dual-clutch with manual select
DRIVEN WHEELS All
PERFORMANCE
0-100KM/H 4.8 seconds
TOP SPEED 250km/h (governed)
CONSUMPTION 13.3km/L (combined)
CO2 EMISSION 175g/km
SUSPENSION
FRONT MacPherson struts, coil springs,
anti-roll bar
REAR Multi-link, coil springs, anti-roll bar
BRAKES
FRONT / REAR Ventilated discs
TYRES
TYPE Dunlop SP Sport Maxx
SIZE 235/45 R19
SAFETY
AIRBAGS 6
TRACTION CONTROL ABS with ESC
MEASUREMENTS
LENGTH 4445mm
WIDTH 1804mm
HEIGHT 1479mm
WHEELBASE 2699mm
KERB WEIGHT 1510kg
TURNING CIRCLE 11.8m
BUYING IT
PRICE INCL. COE To be announced
WARRANTY 3 years/100,000km
WE SAY
+ Epic grip combined with strong power and vocal exhaust, excellent ride quality, greater versatility than its A45 sibling
– Slightly slower and thirstier than closely related A45, likely to cost significantly more than the A45 in Singapore
