We all already know about the Mercedes-Benz India working on the new A-Class and is already on the testing phase. There were speculations too about crossovers based on the new A-Class platform. Moving these speculations more towards reality, Mercedes has planned two different crossovers on the A-Class small family car platform. The first crossover will be named GLA and the second one will be called GLG. Both these crossovers will be pinned to the current A-Class, the MFA platform. While the GLA will derive its design from the A-Class itself, the GLG will have its design inspired by the G-Class but in a more modern and aerodynamic way.
The Mercedes GLG will be more like a smaller version of the current G-Class, while the GLA can be coined as a soft-roader, more of a city oriented compact crossover. The GLA-Class will be offered in a range of powerplant options, both petrol and diesel. The petrol engine could be a 2.0-litre one which powers the current A-Class (W176). The diesel engines could be the 1.8-litre and 2.1-litre engines. These engines will be coupled to either a six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (Indian version will get only an automatic). Expect the GLA-Class to go on sale by 2014. Also in talks, is an AMG version of the GLA, the GLA45 AMG, which will be heavily powered by a four-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine with an all-wheel drive system.
The Mercedes GLG has also been named as the Mini G-Wagen. Inspired design from the G-Class, the GLG too would sport the boxy look but in a much modern way. Being introduced as an off-roader, it will feature Mercedes’ 4MATIC technology providing constant traction in all road surfaces. The gasoline options for the GLG are most likely to be a 1.6-litre and a 2.0-litre engine with two power options. The diesel engines will be the 1.8-litre, 107 BHP and also a 2.1-litre diesel engine with power options of 133 BHP and 166 BHP. Similar to the GLA, the GLG would also feature an AMG variant, the GLG45 AMG. The GLG can be expected to hit the roads by 2015.