Mercedes-AMG GLA 35 4MATIC

Expanding Mercs’ local AMG fleet, the new Mercedes-AMG GLA 35 (H247), upgraded for the year 2024 and launched in Malaysia.

Fully-imported (CKD - Pahang), the performance-oriented crossover (compact SUV) is available in a single variant (AMG GLA 35 4MATIC).

Priced at MYR 363,888 (OTR, w/o insurance), each purchase includes a standard vehicle warranty (four-year/unlimited mileage).

Five (Metallic) exterior colours (Cosmos Black, Mountain Grey, Spectral Blue, Iridium Silver, Digital White). 

The new AMG GLA 35 gets an elegantly-sporty and tiered dashboard, merged to a flat-high-rising centre console (gear-lever-deleted, armrest).

Soft-/hard-touch panelled (ARTICO man-made leather), it sees a single-tone scheme (Black) with contrast stitching (Red).

Paired to the outlook are Aluminium (air-conditioning vents, centre console) and Carbon-structure (Mercedes-Benz Star Pattern) trims.

Commanding the space is the floating-glass-pane (MBUX multimedia system - instrument cluster/infotainment) and turbine-designed air-conditioning vents.

Accentuating the environment is an ambient light system (64-colour active - Light And Sight Package), and AMG sports pedals (brushed stainless steel - Black rubber studs).

Overall, the build is well-designed. Very driver- and passenger-oriented with accessibilities strategically-arranged.

Part of a twin unit, installed is the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) multimedia system (NTG 7), featuring a 10.25-Inch all-digital instrument cluster.

Features are three AMG display styles (Classic, Sporty, Discreet), multiple interfaces (AMG drive modes, vehicle settings), and three modes (Navigation, Assistance, Service).

Luxurious, interior of the five-seater sees ARTICO man-made leather/MICROCUT-microfibre upholstery (Black, Red stitching - seats, door beltlines).

The front gets the AMG Sports Seats with a Multi-contour Seat Package (multi-way, lumbar, active climate, memory).

The rear sees a manual-operated (button - 40:60 split-fold, backrest recline) contoured bench seat. Included are armrests (front - centre console, rear - centre seat fold-out).

Heightening the cabin is a panoramic glass sunroof (electric - tilt/slide), a fabric headliner (Black), MANUFAKTUR seat belts (Red), AMG floor mats, and AMG door sills (illuminated, exchangeable covers - Light And Sight Package).

A fairly-sized crossover (compact SUV), the front and rear occupants get ample interior mobility, providing generous cabin space with sufficient head-, shoulder-, and leg-room.

Mounted is an AMG Performance steering wheel, in a tri-rounded-twin-spoke-flat-bottom design, wrapped in Nappa leather (Black) with trimmings (Silver).

Features are multi-switches (AMG Controls - AMG Dynamic Select, media, vehicle settings), electric column adjustments (tilt, telescopic), and paddle shifters (Silver-Chrome).

Aiding the drive is an Electric Power Steering (EPS) system.

Practical storage areas (Stowage Space Package). E.g., a glove box, centre console caverned/partitioned spaces with under-stowage, and seat back/side door pockets.

Provided are four cup holders (two front - flex, two rear - standard), and four bottle holders (one - side doors).

Equipped are four USB ports (USB Package Plus - two-front, two-rear), one 12 V power socket (front), and a wireless charger (front). 

The boot comes with the Easy-Pack Tailgate (KEYLESS-GO Convenience Package) feature (hands-free - remote control/key fob, kick sensor, button). 

Accessing its contactless function opens up to 435-Litres (rear seats up) and 1,430-Litres (rear seats down) of load capacities.

Included is the Load Compartment Package (side bags, luggage nets).

Weighing in at 1,680 KG, the new AMG GLA 35 measures at 4,436 MM long, 2,020 MM wide, 1,590 MM tall, and with a wheelbase spanning 2,729 MM.

Dynamically-elegant, courtesy of the AMG body styling, it exudes a solid and commanding presence with straight-cut lines in smoothly-sculpted proportions.

A short-overhang, the front-end sees the Merc’s power dome bonnet (new AMG crest), roundly-muscular fenders, an AMG grille (Black-Chrome - vertical slats, Mercedes insignia), and an AMG bumper (three-piece-vented - corner/centre).

Accentuations are body trimmings (Black - intake inserts/surrounds, side mirrors/Aluminium - bumper guard, lower side doors, roof rails, window surrounds), and body claddings (Black - bumper, side sills/body-colour - fenders).

Sportily-minimalist, it parades a dynamically-smooth design, intensifying the athletic appeal with roundly- and seamlessly-cut shapes.

A short-overhang, the rear-end sees a mildly-dipped roofline, roundly-muscular quarter panels, a roof-edge AMG spoiler (body-colour), and an AMG bumper (diffuser - four vertical fins, two round-tip exhausts).

Accentuations are body trimmings (Black - diffuser fins/Aluminium - diffuser insert, lower side doors, roof rails, window surrounds), body claddings (Black - bumper, side sills/ body-colour - fenders), and the Mercedes insignia (Chrome - centre tailgate).

Framed angularly-sleek and inward-tilted, the headlamps installed are Multibeam LED units with new signature light graphics.

Features are LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL), automatic On/Off, projection function, Adaptive High Beam Assist Plus, welcome/leaving lights and sequential turn signals.

Housed angularly-elongated and inward-pointed, the wraparound tail lamps installed are full LED units with new signature light graphics.

Features are welcome/leaving lights, and sequential turn signals. Paired to the setup is a high-mounted brake light (spoiler lip-integrated).

The side mirrors (two-tone - Body-colour-Black) are electronic-powered (auto-fold, adjust), with sequential turn signals, blind-spot indicators (Blind Spot Monitor - BSM), and automatic-dimming (Light And Sight Package).

Fitted is a setup of the AMG high-performance brake system, featuring ventilated-cross-drilled discs (front, rear) with AMG brake callipers (Red).

Drive is aided by an Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Brake Hold system.

Gripping the asphalt are 20-Inch AMG five-twin-Y-spoke (Matte Black - high-sheen rim flange) light-alloy rims, rubbered-up in 255/40 R20 (front, rear) Continental SportContact 6 tyres.

The new AMG GLA 35 features the following sets of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).

Under Driving Assistance Package, grouped are Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC, Active Blind Spot Assist, Active Lane-Keeping Assist, Active Brake Assist, Exit Warning Assist, and PRE-SAFE system. Under Parking Package, grouped are Active Parking Assist, and parking cameras (360-degree, reverse).

Others include Adaptive High-Beam Assist (AHA), Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-Force Distribution (EBD), Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control System (TCS), and Hill Start Assist (HSA).

Passive safety under GUARD 360-degree Vehicle Protection, grouped are Anti-theft Alarm system (ATA), interior monitoring system, and tow-away protection (warning - visual, audible). 

Others include seven airbags (driver, passenger, front side, front/rear curtains), airbag disable function (front passenger), seat belts (reminders, pre-tensioners, anchors), ISOFIX, Door Opening Warning (DOW), automatic-dimming rear-view mirrors (interior, exterior - Light And Sight Package), parking sensors (six - front, rear), Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Brake Hold, Break-in resistant safety glass (laminated, heat-/noise-insulated, infrared-reflecting), TIREFIT and Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).

Five drive modes accessible via the AMG DYNAMIC SELECT program (Comfort, Sport, Sport+, Slippery, Individual).

The new AMG GLA 35 harbours a mild-hybrid powertrain.

Nestled is the AMG 2.0-Litre inline four-cylinder 16-valve turbocharged direct-injection petrol engine (M260), producing 306 HP (225 KW) at 6,100 RPM and 400 NM at 2,500 to 4,000 RPM. 

Working in tandem is Mercedes’ second-generation Belt-Driven Starter-Generator (RSG), a 48 V mild hybrid system, providing an extra boost of 10 KW (14 HP) and 150 NM.

Installed is an AMG SPEEDSHIFT 8G-DCT (eight-speed, dual-clutch) automatic transmission, with Race Start program.

Power is sent to all four wheels via the active-fully variable AMG Performance 4MATIC All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system.

Acceleration from 0 to 100 KM/H is done in 5.2 seconds, and top speed is 250 KM/H. 

Fuel tank capacity is at 43-Litres, and combined fuel consumption is between 8.6 L/100 KM to 9.1 L/100 KM (WLTP).

Electric motor is juiced-up by a 1.0 KWH Lithium-ion battery.

The new AMG GLA 35 features these conveniences.

E.g., KEYLESS-GO Convenience Package (keyless/hands-free access, engine Start/Stop button), Easy-Pack Tailgate (hands-free - remote control/key fob, kick sensor, button), Load Compartment Package (side bags, luggage net), Stowage Space Package (interior storages), Light And Sight Package (64-colour active ambient lights, illuminated door sills, exterior Mercedes-Benz surround lighting projection, interior LED lights), THERMOTRONIC dual-zone automatic climate control (rear air-vents, air purification), AMG Sports Seats (Multi-contour Seat Package - electric-powered), AMG Performance steering wheel (multi-function, AMG controls, paddle shifters, EPS, electric column adjustments), MBUX Multimedia System (MBUX AR-Navigation, MBUX Navigation Premium, MBUX custom drive settings), multiple power outlets (12 V socket, wireless chargers), USB Package Plus (four USB ports), flex cup holders (two - front), Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Brake Hold, Mirror package (automatic-dimming rear-view mirrors - exterior, interior), interior monitoring system, panoramic glass sunroof (electric - tilt/slide), Break-in resistant safety glass (laminated, heat-/noise-insulated, infrared-reflecting), parking cameras (reverse, 360-degree), parking sensors (six - front, rear), automatic headlamps (On/Off/high-beam), automatic wipers (rain sensing, intermittent), automatic-pinch windows (up/down), and speed sensing door locks.

Installed for the cabin is a THERMOTRONIC dual-zone automatic climate control system (rear air-vents, air purification).

Setup installed, the AMG Ride Control suspension with adaptive dampers (Comfort, Sport, Sport+), and AMG Dynamic Select drive programs.

The ride comfortability feels precise and firm at the same time, with overall drive tuned to provide complete stability and grip to the driver (MacPherson strut - front, multi-link - rear).

Ultimately, it has solid roadholding, and great handling stability and agility at high speeds without compromising any comfort (AMG Speed-sensitive Steering).

Good sound insulation with the NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) aspects accounted for. The build is acoustically designed to enhance the in-car ambience. 

Part of the aero-acoustic measures used at reducing wind, tyre and road noises include the installation of heat-, noise-insulating and infrared-reflecting acoustic laminated glass.

Overall, the cabin is able to suppress unwanted noises well and make them barely noticeable, in most of the day-to-day driving environment.

The new Mercedes-AMG GLA 35 4MATIC just radiates robust elegance, a well-deserved upgrade for the 2024 model year.

A real fast-driving and fairly-sized crossover, it offers both performance and comfort, while encapsulating passengers in a racing-inspired and luxuriously-appointed cabin.

Overall, inside and out the build quality is satisfactory, and with all the bells and whistles it packs, the new AMG GLA 35 is definitely a Merc to consider.