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Image credits: © Mercedes - Benz.
Press Release
The Concept GLA combines dynamic styling with clear benefits for
recreational use. Under the bonnet of this new concept vehicle
(length/width/height: 4383/1978/1579 millimetres) sits a four-cylinder
turbocharged petrol engine rated at 155 kW (211 hp) with a displacement
of 1991 cc. Its power is transmitted to the road via the 7G-DCT dual
clutch automatic transmission and 4MATIC all-wheel drive. A new approach
is taken here in the form of headlamps featuring laser technology:
these not only shine more light on the road, but also function as
projectors.
"The Concept GLA marks a new approach for us in the compact SUV
segment – this is a sporty and more coupé-like evolution of this
category of vehicle", commented Dr Joachim Schmidt, Executive Vice
President Mercedes-Benz Cars, Sales and Marketing. "The Concept GLA is a
compact SUV that combines its sporting spirit with the all-round
qualities of a tough, leisure-time companion. 'Escape the everyday' is
the message that this car conveys to its driver. It also makes clear the
further potential of our compact vehicle architecture, which provides
the basis for the A- and B-Class models that led the German market in
their respective segments in the first quarter of 2013."
Clever use of SUV design cues: the exterior design
Clear evidence of the innovative thinking on the part of the
designers that has gone into this concept vehicle is provided by a
number of distinctive features. These include the powerful bonnet with
its powerdomes and a sporty radiator grille with centrally positioned
star. The new-style surround to the star merges elegantly into two
horizontal bars. Likewise new are the so-called "softcubes": these are
soft, raised pads that help to give definition to the radiator grille
and are also to be found on the side sill panels and alongside the
exhaust tailpipes.
The distinctive door mirrors, with their twin supporting struts, are
fitted with a protective grille. This, like the underride guard at the
front, is very much a typical SUV feature. The striking appearance of
the Concept GLA is also, not least, the result of its silver Alubeam
paint finish.
Seen from the side, too, the Concept GLA conveys a sense of power and
confidence. This reinforces the overall design philosophy behind the
vehicle with a "dropping line" that extends from the headlamp to the
rear wheel arch. The beltline trim rises slightly from the rear door
towards the C-pillar. Together with the light-catching contour formed by
the curvature of the vehicle flank and the line that rises from the
level of the door sill towards the dropping line, this creates a unique
interplay of lines that adds to the sense of elegant dynamism. The slim
door handles of the five-door vehicle are fully recessed, emerging at
the touch of a button. The frameless side windows also emphasise the
coupé characteristics of this concept vehicle.
The 20-inch wheels, with their distinctive five-spoke turbine design,
are shod in size 255/45 R 20 tyres. These have been specifically
created for the Concept GLA: their tread pattern continues the lines of
the spokes in an optical illusion that makes the latter appear longer.
The muscular haunches above the rear axle, accentuated by the way the
C-pillar is pulled in slightly, extend to the rear over the light
clusters, so also emphasising the broad stance of the tail end. The
outcome is a powerfully taut arc that nevertheless avoids aggression.
This impression is reinforced by the curvature of the rear window and
the elegant chrome strip between the rear light clusters. The large roof
spoiler is a further eye-catching feature. This follows through very
neatly on the structure of the rear roof panelling and provides the
housing for the additional brake light.
Further SUV references, such as a load sill guard and a concealing
underride fascia panel, are to be found in the area of the rear bumper
covering. The twin-pipe exhaust system is evidence of the car's sporty
aspirations.
The tailgate features a power closing system that allows it to be
opened or closed at the touch of a button. Opening the tailgate with its
integrated rear light cluster reveals supplementary lights to warn
approaching vehicles of the open tailgate. Further light clusters are
housed in the rear cross member between the roof rails.
Perfect craftsmanship: the interior
In terms of its design, the interior reflects a clear alignment with
the interiors of the other new compact Mercedes models, reinterpreted
here for a sophisticated and exceptionally high-quality SUV. It is
dominated by an exciting juxtaposition of leather and dark galvanised
aluminium. The four individual seats and the door centre panels are
upholstered in natural leather in a rich shade of brown. Both colour and
workmanship bring the image of a saddle to mind: all in all, the
Concept GLA incorporates more than 20 metres of hand-stitched seams to
hold the raw edges of the leather together. The seat cushions, which
feature central inlay panels in a high-quality canvas material, display
an embossed pattern that continues the saddle theme. An illuminated
insert is set into the integrated head restraint of each of the four
sports seats.
Grey leather with a graphically applied grain is used on the backs of
the front seats, amongst other places, and continues the idea of
patterns being continued over from other surfaces. The armrests and
centre panels of the door linings are designed as a very clear
structural unit.
The instrument panel is constructed in several layers. On top of a
leather-upholstered surface sits a framework in a combination of matt
and polished aluminium, which provides the necessary support for all the
instruments. This is held in place by clearly visible screws, featuring
a specially devised design. This unit is protected from dust and dirt
by a plexiglas covering that is illuminated from behind, so adding to
the impression that the different levels are free-floating. The control
buttons for COMAND Online have also been crafted with meticulous
technical precision. They are made of plexiglas and painted from the
back in black. Pictograms are then etched into the black, also from the
back, before being filled in.
The air vents in the instrument panel as well as in the rear
represent a further stylistic development of the vents used in the
Concept A-CLASS and Concept Style Coupé, and are likewise illuminated
from behind. They change colour according to the interior temperature
set by the occupants. At a temperature of 22 degrees Celsius they light
up in white. If a cooler temperature is selected for the interior, they
turn blue, while opting for an influx of warm air switches the
illumination to red.
Fibre-optic ambient lighting in the load compartment visually extends
the line drawn by the centre console all the way from the instrument
panel through to the rear seats. A rectangle of lighting strip inset
into the load compartment floor serves to highlight its level surface.
Luggage can be secured firmly with a spring-loaded four-point harness,
as used in helicopters. A simple handle is used to fold the backrests of
the rear sports seats forward to create a level load compartment floor.
Laser light: new-style headlamps project light and images
Film time! The front headlamps of the Concept GLA are each fitted
with a laser-beam projector. These not only provide the light to drive
by, but are also capable of projecting pictures or films onto a screen
or other surface. Any format that can be operated through COMAND Online
can serve as a source: pictures or films from a smartphone, the
internet, or from a hard drive.
Alternatively, the action can be produced live. The Concept GLA is
fitted with two cameras, housed in the front roof rail. And these can be
used for far more than just 3D images taken as the Concept GLA drives
along: the HD cameras can be removed and, for example, fitted to a
mountain bike helmet. An additional lamp unit in each camera ensures
that the lighting is right, whatever the situation. As an alternative to
the projection option, films may also be viewed inside the car on the
COMAND Online screen.
The laser-beam projectors represent far more than simply an academic
exercise on the part of the engineers and designers at Mercedes-Benz. As
a further enhancement of the head-up display, they could also help to
improve road safety: the technology could be used, for example, to
project the directional instructions from the navigation system onto the
road in the form of arrows – in this way other road users, too, would
be able to see where a driver is heading.
Laser and LED technology: the headlamps
It is not only the laser-beam projectors and their visible cooling
system provided by rotating vents that make the shimmering blue
headlamps of the Concept GLA such an interesting feature. With the
"Coming home" function, the blue light begins to pulsate to indicate
that the vehicle is ready and waiting for its driver.
While the driving lights are produced here for the first time by a
laser beam reflected off a mirror lens, the daytime running lamps, with
their characteristic "torch" effect, as well as the indicator lights,
consist of LEDs. The indicators take the form of digital chase lighting
strips and, as such, represent a further development of the "Mexican
wave" design used on the Concept Style Coupé.
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