In a bid to liven-up the entry-level luxury car space, Mercedes-Benz India has lined-up two new models for this year – the new GLA and the A-Class Limousine. The former will go on sale by October, whereas the latter will gain a price list by June. Bookings for both are open already. As for the expected price, the A-Class could start somewhere close to Rs 35 lakh and the GLA around Rs 43 lakh.

A-Class Limousine

You would agree that it doesn’t make any sense to describe the India-bound A-Class with the word Limousine. Well, Mercedes-Benz has a theory. The previous-gen A-Class was a hatchback. And for a good while, it was on sale in India too. However, Mercedes-Benz noted that more people opted for the more expensive B-Class instead. Although that was a hatchback (some might call it an MPV) as well, it offered more space than the sporty A-Class. The word Limousine differentiates the new A-Class from the one available earlier. What Mercedes-Benz wants India to know is that instead of a hatchback, the new A-Class will come in a sedan avatar.

To showcase what it would look like, Mercedes-Benz showcased the A35 sedan at the Auto Expo 2020. In addition to shouty AMG styling, the car packs a punch as well. Firepower comes from a 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder turbo-petrol engine which produces 302bhp/400Nm, while a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic handles transmission duties and feeds the oomph to an all-wheel-drive system. The setup is enough for a 0-100kmph sprint time of 4.8 seconds a top speed of 250kmph.

Before you get too excited, this version will not start the A-Class’ innings in India. In all likelihood, the A 200 and the A 180d will take over that responsibility. The petrol-powered variant has 161bhp/250Nm on tap from a 1.33-litre turbocharged mill, whereas the diesel-fed one offers 114bhp/260Nm from a 1.5-litre mill. As standard, both engines could come coupled to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. With the two-pedal setup, Mercedes-Benz claims that the A 180d can hit 100kmph from nothing in 10.5 seconds and top out at 203kmph. Those opting for the petrol derivative can achieve a 0-100kmph time of 8 seconds and a top speed of 225kmph.

The new A-Class is essentially the CLA’s replacement in India. Once launched, the A-Class Limousine will primarily rival the Audi A3 and the upcoming BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe.

GLA

It was in December last year when the new GLA broke cover. And since its predecessor quite well on Indian soil, and globally for that matter, Mercedes-Benz had to line up the compact SUV’s entry at the earliest. As far as sharing of things is concerned, it does so with the A-Class. Those “things” include the platform, a couple of powertrains, interior layout and the list of features.

Like for the A-Class, Mercedes-Benz will commence the new GLA’s India innings in both petrol and diesel guises. Falling under the former category will be the GLA 200, and that will have the same powertrain as the A 200 mentioned above. In this form, the GLA can hit 100kmph from a standstill in 8.7 seconds and top out at 210kmph. Leading the diesel’s case will be the GLA 220d, which gets a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine (188bhp/400Nm) and an 8-speed automatic transmission. With more oomph on tap, the diesel GLA will get to 100kmph considerably quicker and claim a higher top speed as well.

As mentioned above, both models will share the list of features. In addition to the MBUX infotainment system, they will pack stuff like cruise control with limiter, multiple driving modes, LED-powered headlamps, tail lamps and DRLs, a rear-view camera with parking guidelines, keyless go, dual-zone climate control and a bunch of safety gizmos. Whether Mercedes-Benz offers dual 7.0-inch displays or 10.25-inch displays as standard is something that we’ll get an answer to at a later stage.

The GLA will face much stiffer competition in India than the A-Class Limousine. The compact SUV will rival the Mini Countryman, Audi Q3, BMW X1 and the Volvo XC40.