Mercedes-Benz is completing a planned renewal of the model range. Previously, it has already affected the A- and B-class models, the CLA cross-coupe and the GLE crossovers, and the updated GLS will soon appear. Now the equipment of the GLA and GLB SUVs has been revised.
Revised, but not much. You can distinguish the cars of the 2023 model year thanks to the new radiator grille in the basic versions (GLA with vertical slats, GLB with horizontal slats) and LED headlights (they are now standard) with shortened DRL strips. The “stuffing” of the rear lights is also retouched, and crossovers with an AMG body kit have an insert in the front bumper and black plastic. Finally, the choice of rims has been expanded (options are available with a diameter of 17 to 20 inches), body colors and trim options.
It was – became
The standard 7-inch dashboard display has been retained (10.25-inch can be selected for an extra charge), but the MBUX multimedia system screen now has a diagonal of 10.25 inches and is available with a rear-view camera even in the basic configuration. Graphics, voice assistant and fingerprint scanner are also improved. At the same time, it is no longer possible to control the screen from the trackpad: the place of the latter on the central tunnel was taken by a niche for small things. In addition, an additional USB-C connector has appeared (all connectors are now backlit), the steering wheel is upholstered in leather by default, and the interior has a combined finish.
The range of power units is electrified: in all versions, a 48-volt starter-generator is built into the body of the automatic box, which adds 10 kW (14 hp) during acceleration. Diesel modifications remained unchanged (except that the 220d versions with front-wheel drive disappeared from the range), and instead of the gasoline GLA / GLB 200 4Matic with a 1.3-liter turbo engine (163 hp, 250 Nm), now more powerful 220 4Matic with ” turbo four “2.0 (190 hp, 300 Nm). Versions with the index “180” and “200” are now only available in a monodrive version.
Updated GLA without AMG Line package
The peak output of the hybrid version of the GLA 250 e remains the same (218 hp, 450 Nm), but both of its components have received an increase in power. The 1.3 petrol turbo engine now produces 163 hp. With. and 270 Nm instead of 160 hp. With. and 250 Nm, and the power of the traction motor has been increased from 75 to 80 kW. However, the useful capacity of the traction battery has decreased from 15.6 to 11.5 kWh, so the maximum mileage on electric power has decreased from 71 to 70 km. But the power of the charging current has increased from 7.4 to 11 kW, and a three-phase charging of 22 kW is offered as an option.
Mercedes-AMG GLA 35
The “hot” SUVs GLA 45 (387 hp, 480 Nm) and GLA 45 S (421 hp, and 500 Nm) have disappeared from the range with the update, although the most powerful versions of A and CLA are still in service. Now at the top of the range are the GLA 35 and GLB 35 versions (306 hp, 400 Nm), but they have also become slower: the introduction of a starter generator increased the acceleration time to “hundreds” from 5.1 to 5.2 s for the GLA 35 and from 5.2 s to 5.5 s for the GLB 35.
Sales of updated SUVs will begin next summer. The price for pre-reform GLA starts at 39.4 thousand euros, and the base GLB is 1.8 thousand euros more expensive. “Heated” modifications with an index of “35” are estimated at 58.6 and 60.4 thousand euros, respectively, without additional options.
Mercedes-AMG GLB 35
In all likelihood, it is in this incarnation that the GLA and GLB models will go down in history. The new strategy for the development of the Mercedes-Benz brand proclaims a gradual abandonment of budget models on a front-wheel drive platform: for example, there will be no new hatchbacks and compact vans. And the most affordable Mercedes will be built on the MMA platform, which will debut in 2024 along with the third generation of the CLA four-door coupe.
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