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

[Chr1sch]

I just dont 'get' these one bit - too high to enjoy the benefits of a hot hatch but not big enough to be a min suv type rival.

[Dave Hedgehog]

mother *******

i would have waited for the yellow night edition ...


grr

[Dave Hedgehog]

Chr1sch said:

I just dont 'get' these one bit - too high to enjoy the benefits of a hot hatch but not big enough to be a min suv type rival.

what nots to get, AMG take off the GLA suspension so its only about 15mm higher than A45, they sit as high as a focus

drives to 99% of the A45, zero body roll (mag suspension) bigger inside, bigger boot, much better ride than the a45, and goes over sleeping policeman better

in reality its more A45 estate than SUV and a better real world performance car IMO, RACE mode is hysterically fun

[Jordan210]

We have a GLA 220d in the family.

Iv driven it a couple of times. Im surprised how much fun it is to drive.

living in the middle of the countryside its pretty suited to the horrendous roads we have. Its smooth and gets power down well.

Only issue can be a bit of lag in the gearbox when wanting to overtake but if you flick it in to "manual" your fine.

Can only imagine how good a GLA45 is.

[Mogul]

Looks nice but they could have thought about offering the yellow trim on the white one and called it the Yellow Snow edition.

[Alex_225]

Chr1sch said:

I just dont 'get' these one bit - too high to enjoy the benefits of a hot hatch but not big enough to be a min suv type rival.

I do see what you mean mate. There's a lot of SUV type cars that offer little over a non-tall hatchback. Bit like a Clio vs a Juke etc. Apart from being a bight higher up they don't offer much more.

The only thing I would say for the GLA45 is that as mentioned already, they are meant to handle almost identically to the A45. There was a Head 2 Head test with this against the Porsche Macan and the GLA came out on top as it was described as not feeling like it was tall in terms of handling.

That said, unless you love the looks of the GLA, I'm not sure what it offers above the A Class.

[Bencolem]

What is AMG's preoccupation with the colour yellow? Am I missing something? It's not like the F1 team's colour is yellow? Where's it come from?

[untakenname]

Are those factory fit kerb protectors? They need to change the display on the dash imo as it detracts from the rest of the interior.

[em177]

There's a lot of hate for these mini corssover hot hatch things. But the more you think about it the more they really are very well suited to our roads.