Scoop: Mercedes-Benz starts testing the GLA 200 CDI in India

Mercedes-Benz has begun testing the GLA in India and the vehicle is currently undergoing homologation process. According to our sources only the diesel variants have reached our shores indicating that the introductory model will be available with a single engine option.

Mercedes unveiled the GLA at the Auto Expo and announced that it may launch the car this year. The GLA is a compact crossover built on the platform used by the A-Class and the B-Class, it will also share the powertrains with these cars.

The car will be sold in petrol and diesel variants in India, however in the intial stage a petrol engine won't be offered. Instead we will get a four-cylinder 2.1-litre CDI diesel engine producing 135bhp and 300Nm of torque. This engine will be mated to a seven-speed dual clutch automatic gearbox with paddle shifts.

The GLA 200 CDI internationally gets 18-inch alloy wheels, automatic bi-xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights, auto-on wipers, front and rear parking sensors, active parking assist, nine airbags, satnav, Bluetooth connectivity with audio streaming, dual-zone climate control, reversing camera, a six-speaker audio system. These features might be carried forward in the Indian model as well.

The GLA will compete with the Audi Q3 and the BMW X1 in India, both similarly sized and specced vehicles. There are rumours about the pricing being around Rs 25 lakh, however, our sources have revealed that the vehicle will be priced between Rs 30-35 lakh.