The new car will borrow several design elements from the new GLC EV that was revealed at the Munich Motor Show, most notably a large, deep, and slightly convex grille design that seems to draw inspiration from some of the brand’s celebrated 1960s and 1970s models – though those cars never had the illumination that we’re likely to see on the GLA. The slim headlight units though are distinctly modern, and while hidden by camouflage, we expect them to feature the three-pointed star DRL motif seen on the GLC EV and some other recent Mercedes designs.
In profile the new GLA looks similar to the existing car – blurring the lines between a hatchback and an SUV, with a relatively low ride height – though the car is expected to grow a little from the current car’s 4.4-metre length. At the rear, a three-pointed star motif is clearly visible in the rear light clusters, and there’s the suggestion of a light bar to connect them, too.
Inside, we expect the new GLA to borrow its cabin design from the sleek CLA, including its glossy black monolithic dashboard with a 14-inch touchscreen, 10-inch driver’s display and new user interface. You’ll sit a little higher in the GLA though, just as you do with the existing car.
Advanced new platform and EV tech
Merc’s new MMA architecture has brought the German brand’s EVs right up to the cutting edge of technology. This platform features things such as an 800V electrical architecture for ultra-rapid charging capabilities, plus a new e-motor that the company developed in-house and uses a two-speed transmission, which benefits both performance and efficiency.
