Mercedes GLA 45 AMG: Has the most powerful 4-cylinder engine in the world

The GLA 45 AMG is a new age Mercedes-Benz, but is it as quick as other AMGs? Kunal Kelkar from MotorOctane.com finds out.

Mercedes-Benz insists that this is an SUV, well in my opinion it sits ever so gently on the wafer-thin line that separates the sub-compact SUVs and maniacal hot hatches.

That’s right, the GLA45 AMG is Mercs’ latest artillery in its MFA platform arsenal in India. We take this confused car out for a spin and give you our take on it.

Well to be plain and simple, the GLA45 is styled along the same lines as the A-class and the CLA45 AMG.

It shares the platform as well and hence the looks too. The contour lines on the hood give it beefy front along with the gaping air intakes.

From the side angle it really does look like an A-class. It is slightly bigger than its younger sibling, slightly being the key word in that sentence, but it does look much meaner.

Mercedes seems to know what they are up to with this platform hence the styling is impeccable.

Interiors

Once again, on the inside it is exactly the same as the CLA45 AMG we saw earlier. Recaro designed bucket seats with electronically controlled seat bolsters with the trademark red seatbelt is common to all the AMGs from the MFA platform.

I personally don’t love it but it’s not a bad place to be. There is enough suede to make me 10 pairs of shoes!

Engine

Nevermind the looks, the interiors, etc. What’s awesome is that 2.0 litre four banger that AMG has fitted to this car. Along with it comes a turbocharger that dumps 26 PSI of boost into the engine making the GLA45 produce 355 JP and 450 Nm of torque.

Like I said after driving the CLA45 AMG, this engine is utterly insane. It is one of the most fun engines I have driven.

There is nothing more one can ask for from an engine. After all this is the most powerful four cylinder in the world (though Mercedes-Benz might lose this title to Volvo in the near future with the latter’s new 444hp Drive-E Engine).

Driving Dynamics

If riding 15mm higher than the normal A-class puts this car in the SUV bracket then I better take my car to the mechanic and increase the height by 10 more millimetres. I wouldn’t call this an SUV.

The GLA45 AMG is as much an SUV as gibberish is a language.  But whatever! I’d say is a ridonculous hatchback!

Put your foot down in sport mode and the car wakes up as if you are prodding a tiger with a stick. Make the rpms go all the way to red line and you’ll hear the butterfly valves pop and flutter, making a distinct sound that sends a wave of happiness to whoever is driving it.

Cornering is precise and though the steering response may seem slightly dead, its something one tends to overlook while having tremendous amounts of fun in the GLA45.

Don’t take her for granted it might say “4MATIC” on the trunk it doesn’t have some fancy electronic AWD system sending power to various wheels etc.

In Sport mode there is an exact 50:50 split of power between the front and rear wheels, which means that going all out on the corners can put in you in some bad spots.

The suspension is quite stiff making bumps some what jarring for the occupants, but it is an AMG after all so don’t expect too much of a plush ride.

Once again, that is too small a fault to see in this masterpiece of engineering.  I think the best way to enjoy this car is engaging launch control, rocketing yourself forward and then revelling in the 4WD system as you take the corners on a winding road.

Verdict

While driving this car, the same thoughts crossed my mind while I was in the CLA45 AMG, “I can’t believe Mercedes makes this car!”

The faults are close to none, apart from the ride being on the stiffer side and that slow dual clutch box I see nothing wrong with the GLA45 AMG.

This car is utter insanity and I want to be insane with it!

I loved driving the CLA45 AMG but it literally tried to break-itself in half every time it went over a speed bump in the city.

This on the other hand is awesome at handling rough roads and speed breakers. Probably why Mercedes calls it an SUV.

In closing I’d like to say that, I’m not too sure who should buy this car, but what I can say is that the GLA45 AMG is for anyone that is looking to have the thrill of an AMG without having to shell out a crazy amount from their pocket.

Priced at approximately Rs 70 lakh (ex-Showroom Mumbai) this is a great buy for the AMG entrant.

Exterior: 5/5

Interior: 3/5

Engineering: 5/5

Fuel Efficiency: 3/5

Happiness: 4/5

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