2023 Mercedes GLA and GLB gain mild-hybrid and design refresh

Mercedes has revealed the updated GLA and GLB SUVs, which volition spell connected merchantability successful the coming months with a refreshed plan and caller exertion wrong and out. 

The biggest ocular changes to the caller Mercedes GLA and Mercedes GLB person been applied to the beforehand end, wherever the beforehand grille, beforehand bumper plan and airy signatures are each new. 

The intimately related brace of models also summation LED lights arsenic standard, and the instrumentality arches are present painted the aforesaid colour arsenic the car’s exterior, replacing the integrative trim seen connected the erstwhile versions. 

Under the bonnet, the 2 cars person mild-hybrid power, meaning they volition present beryllium disposable with some plug-in and mild-hybrid electrification for the archetypal time. The line-up for non-AMG-tuned variants consists of four-cylinder petrol and diesel units, ranging from 147bhp to 260bhp. 

New mild-hybrid models volition payment from a 48V artillery mated to a belt-driven starter-generator, which provides an further 10bhp erstwhile accelerating. They are besides susceptible of travelling abbreviated distances connected electric-only powerfulness and vigor recuperation. 

Changes person besides been made to their plug-in hybrid powertrains. Electric-only scope has improved from the 37 miles disposable successful the erstwhile version, though Mercedes has not yet disclosed the caller figure. The output of the electrical motor, meanwhile, has been raised by 5bhp to 78bhp, and the battery is present susceptible of charging up to speeds of 22kW. 

The GLA and GLB range is erstwhile again topped by a show exemplary tuned by Mercedes-AMG. The Mercedes-AMG GLA 35 and GLB 35 pack 301bhp from a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Top velocity is pegged astatine 155mph, portion 0-62mph is completed successful 5.2sec. 

Inside, the cars are equipped with 'comfort' seats, a leather steering wheel, high-beam assistance and a reversing camera arsenic standrd. All cars are fitted with the firm’s updated MBUX infotainment system, with interior ambient lighting and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. 

Prices for the standard and AMG models person not been revealed yet, but they are expected to bid a flimsy premium implicit the existing cars. The modular GLA, for example, is presently priced astatine £37,645, portion the AMG exemplary costs astir treble successful its highest specification, astatine £69,005.

The updated GLA has antecedently been pictured going through its paces astatine a German contention way up of its motorboat wearing a camouflage livery, but overmuch of its chrome trim was wide to see: astir the broadside windows, connected the doorway handles and connected the little rear bumper.

The quality of the facelifted GLA and GLB follows the emergence of the updated CLA and A-Class, hinting that Mercedes is continuing to propulsion its much affordable models implicit its much costly EVs.  

This is contempt CEO Ola Källenius’s connection successful May that Mercedes is “not going to vie with measurement makers” immoderate longer, which besides implied the steadfast is going to ditch discounts.

Given Mercedes’ push backmost towards the luxury segment – and higher nett margins to mitigate accumulation figures dwindled by industry-wide parts shortages – the updated GLA is expected to beryllium much costly than the existent car.

As such, the entry-level Sport trim is expected to beryllium ditched, with AMG Line – which starts from £39,545 – becoming the caller entry-level version. Adjusting figures to bespeak ostentation and accrued accumulation costs, the caller starting terms is apt to be north of £40,000.

This would not drastically alteration the GLA’s positioning – pitting it against the Audi Q3, BMW X1, well-specced Range Rover Evoques and the Volvo XC40 – but it would marque it 1 of the much costly premium crossovers available.