Monday 9th January 2017

Mercedes-AMG GLA45 facelift - Detroit 2017

High-riding A45 gets an AMG refresh for Detroit, including a 'Yellow Night Edition'

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What with the Christmas break having robbed Mercedes of a valuable fortnight or so for launching yet more new cars, expect a fair few releases over the coming weeks. First of these is the updated GLA, the smallest of Mercedes' seven-model SUV range.

While much is being made of the entire range's new equipment - the 360-degree camera, the autonomous braking and the hands-free boot opening - the range-topping GLA45 is naturally of a little more interest.

Like the A45, it was updated in 2015 to receive more power (381hp) plus the option of a front limited-slip differential and adaptive damping. That's unchanged, leaving the 0-62mph time at 4.4 seconds and the specific output as 191hp per litre... This refresh is more of a styling exercise then, with changes to the front bumper and intakes, plus the radiator grille now in silver chrome. Note as well the new rear diffuser.

It arguably wouldn't be a new AMG without a dubious special edition - Edition 1 C63, for example - and now we have the Yellow Night Edition, available on the entire 45 AMG range. The colour choice is between night black and cosmos black, with "matt graphite grey and yellow detailing." The matt black wheels have a yellow band to them, of course.

Inside the sill plates are grey with a yellow logo, the floor mats have a yellow edging, the air vents are yellow, the seats have yellow trim... you get the picture. But true to the name all cars will have the Night package fitted as well, which brings roof rails, door mirrors and beltline straps in black.

The updated GLA45, plus the rest of the new 45 range, goes on sale on January 9. UK prices are to follow but, for reference, a standard GLA45 will cost 56,852.25 euros in Germany and the Yellow Night Edition 64,468.25 euros.

[Remagel2507]

I wasn't too keen on the looks of these when they first came out although now I actually prefer it over the A class, IMO the GLA220 that I drove, seemed a much nicer thing to be in and drive than the A220 despite them being pretty much the same car