Merc’s SUV GLA set for Sept 30 India launch

German luxury carmaker Mercedes Benz will launch its entry-level SUV GLA on September 30 with a petrol and diesel variant. The competitor to Audi Q3 and BMW X1 is likely to be priced between ₹ 30 lakh and ₹ 38 lakh and will be imported from Germany.

The car, which would come with a 2.0-litre petrol engine, develops 181 bhp power and 300 Nm of torque. The diesel engine in the car is a 2,143 cc turbocharged motor — an iteration of the one also available in the A class small car and B class sports tourer — with an estimated peak power of 134 bhp and 300 Nm of torque.

The GLA, however, would not have an all-wheel drive capability, though the ground clearance has been raised in India to 183 mm. Compared to the Audi Q3 and BW X1, the power and torque figures are on the lower side for the GLA, but it is also a significantly lighter car. Mercedes, which is scripting a revival in India, expects GLA to bring in more volumes to its kitty.

"The GLA is a very important product for us in India and we have high expectations from it," said Eberhard Kern, managing director and chief executive officer, Mercedes Benz India. "We have grown strongly in the first half of this year and our new products including the GLA in the second half of the year will ensure another full year of strong growth."

Mercedes began production of the SUV in Germany in the fag end of last year and it hit the roads in Europe.