GLA-Class

BRABUS Takes on the Mercedes GLA-Class

Words Jim Davis | May 27, 2014
The Mercedes GLA-Class has hit the showrooms and Brabus presents an exclusive refinement program that leaves nothing to be desired
Words Jim Davis May 27, 2014

The Mercedes GLA-Class has hit the showrooms and Brabus presents an exclusive refinement program that leaves nothing to be desired.

It not only includes a strikingly styled designer outfit with distinctive off-road highlights and tailor-made Brabus Monoblock wheels with diameters of up to 21 inches: Brabus also offers suspension components that allow lowering or raising the ride height of the compact SUV to suit the individual owner’s personal preferences. In addition, there is powerful engine tuning producing up to 294 kW / 400 horsepower (394 bhp), stainless-steel sport quad exhausts and custom interior options.

Brabus GLA

Brabus GLA

It goes without saying that all components come with the one-of-a-kind Brabus Tuning Warranty® of three years, up to 100,000 kilometers/62,000 miles.

The Brabus designers have developed styling elements to lend the new small Mercedes SUV exciting off-road looks. They are available for the GLA-Class in Standard, Style and Urban specifications. Brabus aerodynamic-enhancement components for the models in AMG Line specification are under development. All components are manufactured in OEM quality from high-grade PUR plastics.

The Brabus front element is designed to replace the central insert of the front bumper and tapers off on both sides like an additional front spoiler. This creates a perfect visual symbiosis of powerful off-road design with stylized underride guard and aerodynamic-enhancement component. In addition, Brabus attachments for the side air inlets in the front bumper lend the front of the SUV an even more distinctive appearance.

To make getting in and out easier while also making it safer in the dark, the Brabus engineers have developed a concealed LED lighting system that is activated with the keyless remote or by pulling on a door handle.

Brabus GLA

Brabus GLA

The rear end of the GLA is upgraded with a rear spoiler that attaches to the hatch, and the Brabus rear bumper insert that mimics the underride guard design of the front element. Tailor-made cutouts in the rear element provide the perfect backdrop for the four tailpipes of the Brabus stainless-steel sport exhaust with hallmark Brabus design.

A decisive part in the exclusive appearance is played by the Brabus alloy wheels in OEM quality. The lineup of tailor-made tire/wheel combinations ranges from 18 to 21 inches in diameter.

The largest option available for the compact Mercedes SUV features forged Brabus 9Jx21 “Platinum Edition” wheels. Customers have a choice of two distinctive designs, Monoblock F and R. The matching high-performance street tires are supplied by Brabus technology partners Continental, Pirelli and YOKOHAMA up to size 255/30 R 21.

Raised or lowered? Brabus offers both options for the GLA-Class. Many owners of this SUV wish for a moderately raised ride height to make getting in and out even more comfortable and to have even better SUV-like sightlines in traffic. For these customers the Brabus suspension engineers have developed a suspension kit that raised the ride height of the GLA by about 30 millimeters (1.2 inches).

For even more dynamic handling in on-road operations there are also Brabus sport springs that lower the ride height of the Mercedes GLA-Class by about 25 millimeters (1 inch).

Brabus GLA

Brabus GLA

As the company with the world’s most extensive engine tuning program for Mercedes-Benz cars, Brabus of course also offers performance kits for the new compact SUV. Like all Brabus engine variants they offer a perfect combination of performance, refinement, exemplary eco-friendliness and durability beyond reproach. Brabus recommends MOTUL high-performance lubricants.

Brabus ECO PowerXtra D3 – that is the designation of a particularly efficient performance kit for the common-rail turbodiesel engine of the Mercedes GLA 220 CDI.

The plug-and-play installation of the meticulously calibrated Brabus ECO PowerXtra D3 auxiliary control unit results in an extra 30 kW / 40 horsepower (40 bhp). With a power output of 155 kW / 210 horsepower (208 bhp) and a peak torque of 410 Nm (302 lb-ft) the agile diesel model sprints from 0 – 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 8.0 seconds. Top speed increases to 220 km/h (137 mph).

A Brabus PowerXtra module also boosts the power output of the four-cylinder turbocharged gasoline models of the GLA-Class. The product lineup culminates in the Brabus PowerXtra CGI B45 tuning kit for the GLA 45. After the installation of the Brabus PowerXtra module the top-of-the-line model puts out 294 kW / 400 horsepower (394 bhp) and produces a peak torque of 500 Nm (369 lb-ft). As a result the all-wheel-drive power-SUV accelerates to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 4.4 seconds and in conjunction with the Brabus V/max unit reaches a top speed of SUV 270 km/h (168 mph).

The all-stainless Brabus sport exhaust with two chrome-plated tailpipes on either side is available for almost all diesel and gasoline engines. The exhaust produces a sportier but by no means obtrusive exhaust note. A Brabus sport exhaust with controlled butterfly valve is optionally available for the GLA 250. It allows tuning the engine sound from discreet to markedly sporty.

Brabus also offers numerous refinement options for the interior. Bi-color stainless-steel scuff plates with Brabus logo – also available with optional lighting – are part of the product range as are matt-anodized Brabus aluminum pedals, door-lock pins and Brabus Race aluminum shift paddles.

Requests for further customization are fulfilled in the Brabus upholstery shop: the options range from completing the leather appointments available ex-factory to exclusive Brabus fine leather interiors crafted from especially soft yet extremely durable Brabus Mastik leather and Alcantara in any desired color.