The CarBuzz spies have snapped the latest Mercedes-Benz GLA crossover testing with both gas and electric power, but we've never spotted it like this. With the camera set to maximum enhance, we get a surprisingly good look inside the diminutive Merc.And what do we see? If you've followed Mercedes-Benz design trends for the last few years, you probably know what we found. This very small vehicle will have more screen space than ever. Putting the GLA In GLAss Screens, Covering Almost Everything CarBuzz/ValnetJust like it is doing with the CLA, new C-Class, and probably plenty of other models coming soon, Mercedes-Benz is building the new GLA with gas and electric power. We've seen standard as well as AMG models of both, but this is our best look at what's going on inside.Look past the lovely dark brown leather seats to the dashboard. This little Mercedes has a nice round steering wheel instead of the oddball shapes competitors like BMW are trying. It also has what looks like a classic column-shifter, freeing up center console space without requiring a degree in engineering and an eidetic memory to use without looking down at it.CarBuzz/Valnet Then there are the screens. The lighting doesn't let you see what's on them, but you can see that the entire dashboard of the car is flat and shiny. That means the Mercedes-Benz Hyperscreen is in full effect. The dash and center display are huge, with the center screen even extending below the angle we can see over the door frame.The passenger side isn't lit up, so we're not sure if it will be a functional screen on every model. But we're sure it will be on some of them, because this design really doesn't look right otherwise. Mercedes-Benz would likely have gone with a different shape.It's been more than a year since the head of design at Mercedes-Benz declared that "screens are not luxury." It seems that the rest of the company hasn't come around to his way of thinking, or at least hadn't been convinced by the time the new GLA was signed off. Expect Huge Electric Range, Fuel-Sipping Hybrids CarBuzz/Valnet When Mercedes-Benz revealed the electric CLA early last year, it was a sort-of preview of what to expect with this GLA. The CLA launched as the 250+ EV with 268 horsepower and a 374-mile EPA range estimate or the CLA 350 with 349 hp and a little less distance on a charge.Expect the GLA to offer similar outputs in its electric form. Though range will be lower unless the battery pack is larger, with the taller body and the aerodynamic compromise of an SUV's upright tailgate to blame.Gas CLA models will have different versions of a new 1.5-liter turbo-four with hybrid assistance. Expect the same for the GLA, and we believe this is one of those hybrids. Plus, there should be more power for the AMG models, no matter what is powering them.Last September, Mercedes-Benz chair Ola Källenius confirmed that the new GLA would launch before the end of this year. IAA Germany, the country's biggest auto show, is set for September and could be the ideal location. We'll keep you updated.Mercedes-Benz GLA spy photo (1)
+12 others
