Review: Mercedes X156 GLA 45 AMG (2014-20)

Review: Mercedes X156.I GLA 45 AMG (2014-17)

Overview

Released in Australia in October 2014, the Mercedes-Benz X156 Series I (X156.I) GLA 45 AMG was a compact SUV. Manufactured in Rastatt, Germany, the all-wheel drive X156 GLA 45 AMG was powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine that was mated to a seven-speed double clutch transmission.

M133 engine

Shared with the W176 A 45 AMG and C117 CLA 45 AMG , the four-cylinder M113 engine was hand-produced by MDC Power GmbH in Kölleda, Germany. The M133 engine had a gravity-die sandcast all-aluminium crankcase with ventilation bores, an aluminium cylinder head, a forged steel crankshaft, forged pistons with friction-optimised piston rings, NANOSLIDE coating for the cylinder walls, ‘spectacle honed’ cylinder liners (i.e. surface treatment applied when already bolted in place), spray-guided direct injection via piezo injectors (operating between 100 bar and 200 bar), a twin-scroll turbocharger which provided maximum boost pressure of 1.8 bar (26.1 psi), air-to-water intercooling, double overhead camshafts, continuously variable camshaft adjustment, four valves per cylinder and a compression ratio of 8.6:1. Furthermore, maximum engine speed was 6700 rpm.

Compliant with EU6 emissions standards, the M133 engine could perform up to five injections per combustion cycle in the cold-start and warm-up phases to reduce emissions. Furthermore, the M133 engine had an ECO start/stop function which enabled it to shut down when the vehicle was stationary in traffic to minimise fuel consumption.

The GLA 45 AMG could accelerate from rest to 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds and had an electronically-limited top speed of 250 km/h. Over the combined ADR 81/02 test cycle, fuel consumption for the GLA 45 AMG was 7.6 litres per 100 km.

From September 2015 production, the M113 engine produced 280 kW and 475 Nm. According to Mercedes, the increase in power for the M133 engine was due to a ‘newly configured valve assembly’, reconfigured timing and turbocharging; maximum charge pressure, however, remained at 1.8 bar. To reduce fuel consumption, a newly introduced ‘sailing’ function could decouple the engine from the powertrain when the driver released the accelerator at speeds from 60 km/h to 160 km/h. As a result of these changes, the post-September 2015 GLA 45 AMG could accelerate from rest to 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds.

AMG Speedshift DCT transmission

The AMG Speedshift DCT (double clutch transmission) was directly flange-mounted on the transversely installed engine and offered three driving programmes:

• Controlled Efficiency (‘C’): enabled the ECO start/stop function and provided softer throttle response, smooth gearshifts and earlier upshifts for fuel efficient driving;
• Sport (‘S’): disabled ECO start/stop, provided greater throttle response, higher engine speeds before upshifting and faster gearshifts. Under full loads, ignition and injection could be briefly interrupted during upshifts for faster gearshifts and a ‘particularly throaty sound’; and,
• Manual (‘M’): for manual gearshifts via the steering wheel paddles.

In all modes, the DCT had a double declutching function during downshifting, though its characteristics varied according to the selected mode. Furthermore, in C and S modes, a ‘Momentary M’ mode enabled the driver to activate manual mode (‘M’) – without having to remove a hand from the steering wheel – by pressing the ‘up’ of ‘down’ shift paddle once. The transmission would subsequently revert to the previously selected mode based on the current driving situation and driving style.

From September 2015 production, shorter ratios were introduced for the third through seventh forward gears and new ‘Dynamic Select’ transmission modes were introduced:

• Comfort: for ‘comfort-oriented driving’ with a ‘subdued’ engine note and gentle gearshifts. In Comfort mode, the newly introduced ‘sailing’ function could decouple the engine from the powertrain when the driver released the accelerator at vehicle speeds between 60 km/h and 160 km/h. The ECO start/stop function was also active in Comfort mode;
• Sport: provided greater throttle response, more aggressive gearshifts and a more ‘throaty’ engine sound. Furthermore, the sailing and ECO start/stop functions were disabled;
• Sport+: provided faster gearshifts and a modified shift strategy which included double de-clutching. Furthermore, Sport+ enabled partial cylinder suppression – via a momentary and defined retardation of ignition and injection under full throttle – for rapid gearshifts;
• Individual: enabled the driver to vary individual parameters for the engine, transmission and three-stage electronic stability control; and,
• Race: provided ‘even more immediate’ response for the engine and throttle than Sport+, and was configured to maintain an optimum engine speed in the lowest possible gear when driving at racetrack speeds.

All-wheel drive (4MATIC)

The Mercedes GLA 45 AMG’s Haldex all-wheel drive system utilised an electrohydraulically controlled multi-disc clutch which was integrated with the rear axle differential. In normal driving, torque was directly entirely to the front wheels for optimum efficiency. If slip was detected at the front wheels, however, a hydraulic pump would instantaneously press the clutch discs together to direct up to 50 per cent of the engine’s torque to the rear axle (i.e. a 50:50 front:rear torque split). The all-wheel drive system provided a variable torque distribution, with the front:rear determined by vehicle speed, lateral and longitudinal acceleration, steering angle, speed difference between the individual wheels, selected gear and accelerator position.

Dimensions

Compared to the W176 A 45 AMG hatchback with which it shared its underpinnings, the Mercedes X156 GLA 45 AMG was 86 mm longer (at 4445 mm), 24 mm wider (1804 mm) and 62 mm taller (1479 mm), though wheelbase length was unchanged (2699); kerb weight increased by 30 kg to 1585 kg.

Cargo capacity for the GLA 45 AMG was 421 litres, though this increased to 836 litres when the rear seats were folded.

Suspension

The Mercedes GLA 45 AMG had three-link front suspension with MacPherson struts and four-link rear suspension which consisted of three control arms and one trailing arm per wheel; both front and rear suspension included coil springs, gas-pressure shock absorbers and anti-roll bars. Compared to the X156 GLA , changes for the GLA 45 AMG included:

• Stiffer springs and dampers;
• Additional negative camber front and rear;
• Thicker stabiliser bars;
• For the front suspension, more rigid bearings in the lower link plane;
• Stiffer steering knuckles;
• Modified rear strut bearings; and,
• More rigid rear axle bearings.

From September 2015 production, the GLA 45 AMG was equipped with ‘AMG Ride Control’ which consisted electronically-controlled dampers that could be varied at each wheel according to the driving situation and road conditions. The driver could also pre-select the basic damping characteristics in two stages.

Steering

The Mercedes X156 GLA 45 AMG had an electromechanical power steering (EPS) system with a steering ratio of 14.5:1. Furthermore, the EPS system also had the following functions:

• Counter-steering in the event of over-steer;
• Corrective steering when braking on road surfaces with different levels of grip (split-friction braking);
• Mitigating the extent to which front-wheel drive influences the steering;
• Compensating cross winds and road gradients; and,
• Active Parking Assist, which used sensors on the front bumper to measure parking spaces and provided automated steering for the parking manoeuvre.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Mercedes X156 GLA 45 AMG included dual front airbags, a driver’s knee airbag, front and rear side airbags, full-length curtain airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control, front seatbelts with pre-tensioners and force limiters, an ‘active bonnet’, and Mercedes-Benz’s automatic emergency call system.

Further safety technologies – fitted as standard – for the GLA 45 AMG included:

• Mercedes-Benz’s ‘Pre-Safe’ system: activated by emergency braking, panic braking, pronounced over- or under-steering, critical steering movements or heavy support by the adaptive Brake Assist system. In response, Pre-Safe would prepare for a collision by deploying the seatbelt tensioners, close the side windows and sliding sunroof (where fitted) and adjust of the front passenger seat to an ideal position for maximum effectiveness of the restrain systems;
• Collision Prevention Assist (radar-based collision warning with adaptive Brake Assist): Collision Prevention Assist operated at speeds between 7 km/h and 250 km/h and could detect a collision risk when driving at speeds between 30 km/h and 250 km/h, and detect stationary objects when driving at speeds of up to 70 km/h. Collision Prevention Assist monitored the distance to the vehicle ahead, would provide visual and audible warning to the driver if there was a collision risk and would optimise braking power (adaptive Brake Assist) for when the driver depressed the brake pedal;
• Distronic Plus (adaptive cruise control with brake warning): an ‘adaptive’ cruise control system which used two short-range radar sensors positioned behind the front bumper to monitor the road up to 30 metres ahead, and a long-range radar located behind the radiator grille which had a range of 200 metres. Operating at speeds up to 200 km/h, Distronic Plus used an electronic control unit to analyse the information from both radar systems to calculate the engine, automatic transmission and braking parameters required for proximity control. As such, Distronic Plus could automatically apply the brakes to prevent the vehicle from becoming too close to traffic ahead (the time interval could be specified) and accelerate back to the set speed when traffic allowed. To accelerate from rest, the driver only needed to operate the Distronic stalk on the steering column or briefly depress the accelerator pedal. With Distronic Plus, automatic deceleration of up to four (4) m/s²was possible. If Distronic Plus detected that heavier braking was required, a warning light would illuminate in the instrument cluster and be accompanied by an audible warning. Furthermore, the electronic proximity control system could be activated independently of Distronic Plus at speeds over 30 km/h to alert the driver if they were approaching another vehicle too rapidly;
• Attention Assist: operated at speeds in excess of 80 km/h and monitored driver behaviour and steering movements for signs of drowsiness; if detected, the driver would be provided with visual and audible warnings;
• Blind spot assist (passive): used two radar sensors in the rear of the vehicle to warn the driver before an indicated lane-change if a vehicle is in the driver’s blind spot; and,
• Lane keeping assist (passive): used a camera behind the windscreen to monitor lane markings and detect if the vehicle was drifting outside its lane. If so, acoustic and visual warnings would be issued.

Stability control system

The electronic stability control system (Mercedes-Benz’s Electronic Stability Program, or ESP) had an ‘ESP Sport Handling’ mode which raised thresholds for intervention; the electronic stability control could also be switched off if desired. When ‘ESP Sport Handling’ mode was engaged, the driver could select the ‘Race Start’ function for optimum acceleration from rest.

The stability control system also included an ‘ESP Curve Dynamic Assist’ function that provided slight braking applications to the inside wheel when cornering to produce a yaw moment around the vertical axis to increase turn-in.

Brakes

The Mercedes GLA 45 AMG had 350 mm by 32 mm front brake discs with four-piston callipers and 330 mm by 22 mm rear discs with single-piston callipers; both front and rear discs were ventilated and perforated.

Euro NCAP testing

In Euro NCAP testing , the Mercedes-Benz X156 GLA-Class received a five star safety rating which included a 96 per cent adult occupant protection rating and an 88 per cent child occupant protection rating. In the offset crash test, protection of the front occupants was generally rated as good, although protection of the left lower leg was rated as adequate (i.e. a slight risk of serious injury). In the side impact, occupant protection was rated as good for all body areas. In the more severe pole test, however, protection of the driver’s chest and abdomen was rated as adequate.

Features: Mercedes GLA 45 AMG

Standard features for the Mercedes GLA 45 AMG included 19-inch AMG multi-spoke alloy wheels with 235/35 R19 tyres, a Harman Kardon Logic7 surround sound system with twelve speakers, a single-disc CD/DVD player, digital radio tuner (DAB+), MP3/WMA/AAC compatibility, auxiliary inputs (3.5 mm/USB/iPod), Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity and audio streaming, COMAND APS with a 17.8 cm display, HDD navigation, 10 GB music register, internet access and voice recognition (‘Linguatronic’), dual-zone climate control air conditioning (‘Thermotronic’), AMG seats in black ‘Red Cut’ leather, power adjustable and heated front seats, cruise control, bi-xenon headlights with integrated daytime LED running lights, front and rear parking sensors, a reversing camera with dynamic guidelines, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, an AMG steering wheel with nappa leather and Alcantara trim, 40:60 split and folding rear seats, remote central locking, power adjustable mirrors with heating and folding functions, kerb view tilting of the passenger door mirror on reversing, power windows, a power-operated panoramic sunroof, automatically dimming rear-view and door mirrors, front seat memory settings, ambient lighting, tinted windows, rear privacy glass, AMG instrument cluster with ‘Racetimer’, a trip computer, an alarm and immobiliser.

AMG Performance exhaust

For Australia, the GLA 45 AMG was fitted with an AMG Performance exhaust system which included a switchable exhaust flap that varied the exhaust note. Compared to the standard twin-pipe exhaust system, the AMG Performance exhaust provided a ‘more emotive, fuller engine sound when driving under full load and when changing gears’.

Brochure

• Brochure: Mercedes-Benz X156 GLA-Class (February 2014)

Specifications

• Specifications: Mercedes-Benz X156 GLA-Class (April 2014)
• Specifications: Mercedes-Benz X156 GLA-Class (September 2014)
• Specifications: Mercedes-Benz X156 GLA-Class (December 2015)

Related links

• Daimler Media: Mercedes-Benz X156 GLA 45 AMG Press Kit (February 2014)
• Daimler Media: CLA 45, CLA 45 Shooting Brake and GLA 45 update (July 2015)

Review: Mercedes X156.II GLA 45 AMG (2017-20)

Overview

Production of the Mercedes-AMG X156.II GLA 45 commenced in January 2017 and it was officially released in Australia in June 2017. The Mercedes-AMG X156.II GLA 45 could be identified by its more ‘dynamic’ shape for the front apron, new air intake grilles, front splitter insert in silver chrome, high-gloss black flics and silver chrome finishes for the twin louvre radiator grille and side sill panels. At the rear, there was a new diffuser insert in the rear apron, silver chrome trim and a new spoiler lip on the roof spoiler. With the restyled front apron and roof spoiler, the Mercedes-AMG X156.II GLA 45 had a drag co-efficient of 0.33 Cd.

As standard, Australian-delivered GLA-Class vehicles were equipped with LED headlamps – the low-beam LED headlamps used projector-beam technology and had an output of 34 watts. Furthermore, the indicators, daytime running lamps and position light were designed as multi-functional fibre optic cables and were designed not to require replacement over the lifetime of the car.

Inside, the dashboard was covered with ‘Artico’ synthetic leather and featured contrasting red top-stitching. Other elements included printed matt trim with a high-gloss surface and AMG lettering and, for the instrument cluster, new needles with a black needle centre, new number graphics and 30 km/h increments for the speedometer.

Safety equipment

Compared to its X156.I predecessor, standard safety equipment for the Mercedes-AMG X156.II GLA 45 was unchanged.

Features: Mercedes-AMG GLA 45

As standard, the Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 was equipped with the ‘COMAND Online’ multimedia system which included a 20.3 cm TFT colour display, HDD navigation with real-time traffic updates, a single disc CD/DVD player with MP3/WMA/AAC compatibility, ‘Linguatronic’ voice control, Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity and audio streaming, smartphone integration (via Apple CarPlay or Google Android Auto), internet connectivity and two USB ports in the centre console. Furthermore, the GLA 45 had a Harman Kardon Logic 7 surround sound system with twelve speakers.

Standard features for the Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 also included 8.0J x 20-inch AMG multi-spoke alloy wheels with 235/40 R20 tyres, AMG performance front seats in black ‘red cut’ leather upholstery and red contrasting stitching, power adjustable front seats with memory function, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control air conditioning (‘Thermotronic’), cruise control, LED headlamps with ‘Adaptive Highbeam Assist’ and integrated LED daytime running lights, a rear fog lamp, a rear view camera with dynamic guidelines, dusk-sensing headlights, rain-sensing wipers, 40:60 split rear seat backrests with through loading for the centre backrest, an AMG performance steering wheel in black nappa leather and ‘Dinamica’ micro-fibre, steering wheel gearshift paddles, remote central locking with proximity key, power adjustable and heated door mirrors with folding function, automatic tilting of the passenger side door mirror on reverse, power windows, a height and reach adjustable steering wheel, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, push-button start, a black roof liner, illuminated vanity mirrors, an electric parking brake, a power-operated tailgate, aluminium roof rails, a 12 volt power socket, a panoramic sunroof, rear privacy glass, stainless steel sports pedals, ambient lighting, a trip computer, an alarm system and an immobiliser.

As standard, the Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 was equipped with:

• Parking Assist Parking Pilot with Parking Assist: automatically engaged when driving at speeds up to 30 km/h, Parking Pilot could identify parallel and right angle parking spaces. Furthermore, the Parking Assist function could provide automated steering to manoeuvre the vehicle into the space while the driver controlled vehicle speed; and,
• Hands-Free Access: enabled the tailgate to be opened and closed via a foot movement beneath the rear bumper.

Australian-delivered Mercedes-AMG 45 vehicles were fitted with the ‘AMG Night Package’ which included a blackened beltline, tailpipes, front splitter, door mirrors, side sill panel inserts and rear apron.

Specifications

• Specifications: Mercedes-Benz X156.II GLA-Class (June 2017)

Related links

• Daimler Media: Mercedes-Benz X156.II GLA-Class (January 2017)
• Mercedes-Benz Australia: GLA 45 AMG
• Mercedes-AMG: GLA 45
• Wikipedia.org: Mercedes-Benz X156 GLA-Class