Compact SUV from Mercedes-Benz revealed
The popularity of SUVs has exploded in the UK over the past decade, with manufacturers of all pedigrees deciding to tackle this market segment, with varying degrees of success.
At this month’s Frankfurt Motor Show, Mercedes-Benz is expected to debut a compact SUV called the GLA, representing the first time it has attempted to penetrate this particular niche, according to the Daily Mail.
Manageable GLAmour
The GLA will be hitting UK showrooms in the spring of 2014 and with a £25,000 starting price it should be an appealingly affordable way to invest in a new car from a premium German marque.
A quartet of models will be on offer, with varied equipment levels and engines to boot. Power delivered by the entry-level 1.6 litre engine will be 156bhp, which shows just how far modern technology has been able to push smaller capacity units.
The top-end GLA 250 will pump out 211bhp, although it is important to remember that unlike something of the calibre of the E63, this compact SUV is intended for family use and moderate off-road performance, not straight line speed.
Having said that – the latest version of the 4MATIC all-wheel drive system, the GLA 250, can hit 62mph from a standing start in just six-and-a-half seconds before heading on to a top speed of 145mph. If you are light on the accelerator pedal then a combined fuel consumption level of a fraction under 40mpg is attainable, making it frugal as well as fast.
Fuel economy can be boosted further thanks to the inclusion of the auto start-stop engine function on all GLA models, which can push the consumption up to 65mpg in ideal circumstances.
Fast, eco-friendly and furious
The E63 as well as electric hybrids will be at Frankfurt motor show
For the truly environmentally conscious, the Frankfurt Motor Show will offer a range of hybrid and full electric vehicles, the most exciting of which is the highly anticipated Quattro coupe from Audi.
Combining a petrol engine and electric motor, it will be able to get 113mpg, while still having the power to hit 62mph in 3.7 seconds, which is blisteringly quick. A top speed of 190mph marks it out as a real sports car, but one which will not be too much of a gas guzzler.
With an anticipated price tag north of £125,000, this is not going to be the cheapest green machine on the market. And since the electric engine only has a range of 30 miles, it will probably get through quite a bit of petrol for those long distance slogs.
But given that many people drive high performance cars in urban environments where top speeds rarely creep above 30mph and congestion can make fuel economy take a plunge, being able to crawl around using nothing but an electric engine will make the new Quattro coupe one to watch.
The Frankfurt Motor Show is taking place from September 10th-22nd and will be the spotlight for the world’s automotive press throughout this period, with lots of exciting revelations likely to be made.
Source | Credit Photo. Article sent by Abell Smith.
