Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 S, this is the 421 HP compact sports SUV

El Geneva Motor Show is just around the corner and some brands are already releasing all the information and images of the products that will be officially presented there. One of them is Mercedes-Benz. The star brand has already unveiled its new Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 S 4Matic+, the most extreme version of the sporty compact SUV.

At the end of last 2019, the second generation of the Mercedes GLA was presented and the company did not want to wait any longer to give the starting signal to this emotional version. The Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 S is a authentic sports car dressed in compact SUV bodywork for the C-segment, with a power of no less than 421 hp and a very dynamic set-up.

Of the AMG 45 versions, only the S, the most performant, will reach the Spanish market. The Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 with 387 hp will not be marketed in Spanish lands; at least for now.

Aggressive aesthetics for the sporty compact SUV

If we look at the images, we will quickly know how to differentiate a normal GLA from this Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 S. The design is much more aggressive thanks to specific bumpers with large air intakes, 20-inch wheels as standard (of 21 optional), multiple black details, red brake calipers, a prominent rear spoiler on the top and a marked diffuser with four exhaust outlets. 90mm diameter exhaust. There are many aerodynamic details that we find on all four sides.

Following the usual trend of current AMGs, the cabin It presents an imposing aesthetic where it exudes a high level of sportsmanship. Although there are many options to choose from, this unit that Mercedes-AMG shows has a sports steering wheel lined in Alcantara with the yellow line marking "12 o'clock". The details in yellow tone they are also present in the upholstery of the seats, in the seams of the dashboard and in various details such as some inserts in the doors.

The second generation Mercedes GLA becomes official. All the details!

Technique: 421 CV, 500 Nm and variable traction 4Matic +

But the most spectacular part of any sports car is always the technique and its dynamics. Starting with him engine, this Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 S mounts the most powerful 2.0-liter gasoline on the market. It is a turbocharged four-cylinder engine that develops 421 CV at 6.750 rpm and 500 Nm and 5.000.

Thanks to multiple adjustments, especially in the injection and in the blowing of the turbo, similar data has been achieved. In terms of performance, we are talking about a compact all-road capable of doing the 0 to 100 km / h in 4,3 seconds and reach a top speed of 270 km/h; and that is electronically limited.

To bring all the power of the engine to the asphalt, they have resorted to an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission called AMG SpeedShift DCT 8G. From there, power goes to all four wheels via variable all-wheel drive. AMG Performance 4Matic+, who also benefits from the system AMG Torque Control to improve the distribution of torque between the wheels and guarantee greater traction at all times.

If you wonder about the suspension, an adaptive AMG Ride Control system with three operating modes is not missing. In a matter of milliseconds, it adapts the stiffness of the suspension depending on the selected driving modes, the way the driver drives and the road conditions.

For both power and performance capabilities, you have to have a good team of brakes. In the Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 S, some 360mm discs bitten by 6-piston fixed calipers in the front train. As a detail, the calipers are painted red and bear the AMG logo in black.

The driving modes available are “Slippery”, “Comfort”, “Sport”, “Sport+”, “Individual” and “Race”. These affect the engine's power delivery, gear shift management, suspension operation, traction, steering and the loudness of the exhaust sound. The engine sound varies by means of a throttle on the exhaust, although you can also amplify it inside through the sound system thanks to the optional AMG Real Performance Sound.

AMG track pace

As in many other AMG models of the German firm, the Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 S does not lack the AMG Track Pace. This system is responsible for collecting all driving data, times and performance when we ride on a closed circuit. The driver can then view and analyze them carefully.

Some of the information is the acceleration from 0 to 100, the time in the quarter mile, the braking speed from 100 km/h to 0. It also has some of the most famous circuits in the world recorded, so you can analyze your lap times and sectioned by sectors. Practically as if it were the telemetry of a racing car!

Por el momento the price is unknown of departure for which it will be available in our country, although we can already imagine that it will not be a exactly cheap car. Bearing in mind that the Mercedes-AMG A 45 S, its brother with a compact body, starts at 73.000 euros, we can get used to the idea that the AMG GLA 45 S will exceed 75.000. Its date of arrival on the market has not been communicated either, although we hope it will be available during the next summer.