2014 Mercedes Benz GLA45AMG
The Crossover With Extra Extra Beef
By Imthishan Giado
AMG used to stand for one thing: big meaty saloons with bonkers amount of horsepower trying to destroy the rear wheels as quickly and efficiently as possible. Now it’s 2014 and that sort of unrestrained chauvinism simply won’t do. Thus, we come to the GLA45 AMG, the boys from Affalterbach’s first attempt at a dainty crossover. If you don’t count the R63 AMG that is, but no one wants to remember that one.
As the name suggests, this is a spin-off of the highly flexible A-Class platform that’s also bequeathed us the new A-Class and B-Class and their resultingly bonkers AMG variants. What of the GLA45? This is the smallest crossover Mercedes makes, no impediment to AMG who have shoehorned in a 2.0-litre four cylinder turbo engine pumping out an unbelievable 355bhp and 332lb ft of torque, enough to propel this pint-sized SUV in a mere 4.8 seconds. To give you an idea how fast that is, it’s quicker to 100kph than an E46 BMW M3.
Standard transmission is a seven-speed dual clutch ‘box which makes wonderfully blatty noises on upshifts like an angry pitbull barking – worth the price of admission alone, I say. To corral this power to an unsuspecting Earth, Mercedes’s patented 4MATIC four wheel drive system is standard. Interestingly, the GLA45 is front wheel drive for the majority of its operation. When extra traction is required, a Power Take-Off Unit integrated into the transmission sends up to 50 percent of the torque rearwards. Also new: ESP Curve Dynamic Assist which applies brakes to the rear inside wheel under braking to fight pesky understeer. Think of it as a kind of poor man’s Porsche Torque Vectoring and you’ll get the idea.
All the big money went into the drivetrain and stiffening up the chassis so the interior is pure A-Class. Nevertheless it’s a very nice place to be with all the usual accoutrements, nappa leather and alcantara available as options. Here’s hoping that this time, humans can sit in the back. And bring their stuff with them, as well.
