From the fabulous SSK and SSKL of the late 1920s and early 1930s to the post-war Gull Wing 300 SLR made even more famous in the hands of the master himself, Fangio, or even the fabulous 300 SL Roadster, Mercedes fascinated me as a young man. Then came a gap in my Mercedes enthrallment until a test drive in the SLK evoked all those memories from the early 1950s.
This GLA is yet another diesel Mercedes that will long linger in my scrapbook of delectable and totally desirable cars to own. This 2,143cc in line four develops a very reasonable 136 bhp from 3,400 rpm, but possibly more importantly, no less than 300 Nm of torque [pulling power] from only 1,400 rpm, peaking at 3,000 rpm.
The car looks sporty, with a flat roof and sweeping curves right through to the rear end, and as Mercedes say: ‘an emphasis on width even to its powerful shoulders’.
Some powerful contemporary cars have a fairly nondescript front end. The GLA is to my eye positively masculine. The lights are mean and purposeful, the intakes snarling and unforgiving, even the radiator grill fails to show any feminity at all. I simply think it’s absolutely great.
Factually, the GLA comes in three equipment lines as well as three design packages but it really is a matter of personal choice when it comes to which package to go for. This is truly a great driver’s car; the level of comfort is very good, and once the car had been put in Drive and we wafted gently out of the showroom and onto the main road it became great fun to beat the box by changing gear at the driver’s optimum speed by playing with the discreet paddle change, using the two paddles discreetly hidden behind the chunky steering wheel.
After enjoying the full-blown acceleration and remarkable handling potential, most of the test was conducted with the engine in Eco mode. This somewhat friendlier, more economical mode is absolutely ideal for our local motoring conditions and low speed limits. In fact, by feathering the throttle it was possible to mooch along at 45 km/h with the gears showing that sixth was engaged.
After all, with a top speed of 205 km/h it makes total sense when blasting up the motorways of Europe to come out of the economical setting and enjoy the car as it was actually designed to be used. But over here, by motoring along with the engine being stressed to a minimum and with remarkably low fuel consumption, Mercedes owners can help keep imports of fuel to reasonable limits.
The test car came not only with a rear facing camera, useful when the need to go backwards in restricted spaces pressed upon the driver, but the bleepers, back, front and side warned us even when we were overtaking other vehicles that we or they were very close.
But of more interest to your scribe was the warning triangle that lit up whenever we got within the brake safety area of vehicles in front of us. Closer by far than the distances in the two-second distance rule, but nevertheless adequate warning to drop back a bit in case the guy ahead did something dramatic in the way of suddenly jumping on the brake pedal.
The GLA is yet another diesel Mercedes that will long linger in my scrapbook of delectable and totally desirable cars to own
The weather was dry, the roads were dry and we were able to put in some high-gravity turns on a couple of our well-surfaced roads. Yes, some of the arterial set-up has a non-slip surface built into the wearing course. The problem is that very few people know this and grumble frantically about all our arterial roads.
The grip factor of the GLA is fantastic and it remained rock steady even if leaning quite cleverly. We were truly impressed. We were also impressed with the interior space and the way five adults can travel in absolute comfort, I would guess for many hundreds of kilometres before becoming unduly fatigued or fed up [according to motoring taste].
Most people will be utterly enamoured of the Central Media display and the fantastic Audio 20 CD Radio. This free-standing display can interface with either the real world or the digital world, and if you have the Drive Kit Plus you can view such things as all your messages along with the playlist from your iPhone.
Mercedes have experienced some unbelievable incidents on track over the years, and rest assured that all models are demonstrably safe on both road and track long before the allegedly staged incident with the ‘A’ Class . The various electronic aids, seat restraints and airbags all add to the sheer pleasure of driving this latest Mercedes far and fast.
Verdict
Comfort
Everything on board smacks of comfort. The seats are great, comfortable with vital grip for high- speed cornering.
Performance
Even on this model the performance is well up to the fastest in class.
Quality
For 60 years, Mercedes-built quality has provided me with more jealous moments than I can remember.
At a glance
Top speed
205 km/h
0-100km
9.9 seconds
Economy
In combined mode expect to burn 4.4 litres for every km travelled
C02
114g/km
Engine
Four cylinders in line diesel
Power
136 bhp
Maximum torque
300 Nm