Mercedes GLA45 AMG revealed
* Show car previews ultra-fast baby SUV * 355bhp engine; 0-62mph in 'under five seconds' * On sale in 2015; price will be more than £40k...
This is the Mercedes-Benz GLA45 AMG, a high-performance version of the regular Mercedes GLA small SUV that's being previewed as a concept at the Los Angeles motor show.
Although many of the styling details on the concept car are likely to be toned down for final production trim, Mercedes has also revealed details of the GLA45 AMG's engine and performance. These figures are expected to be carried over, making the new model a stern rival for the hottest version of the Audi Q3.
The production GLA45 AMG will get Mercedes' highly tuned 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, producing 355bhp and 332lb ft of torque. Those outputs will be transmitted through an AMG-spec four-wheel-drive system and a seven-speed automatic transmission.
Mercedes claims the GLA45 AMG will be able to reach 62mph from rest in 'under five seconds', a figure that would put it comfortably clear of Audi's RS Q3.
The concept car gets extravagant styling touches, including 21-inch matt-black wheels, red brake calipers, revised side sill panels, a deeper front splitter with F1-style 'winglets' and a sizeable spoiler at the top of the rear hatch.
Mercedes hasn't announced an on-sale date for the production version of the GLA45 AMG, let alone put a price on the car. However, we'd expect it to reach showrooms in the first half of 2014 with a price tag in excess of £42,000.
