Mercedes-Benz GLA 45 AMG shown off in concept form

Just a few months after the unveiling of the GLA-Class at Frankfurt, Mercedes-Benz has come up and showcased the GLA 45 AMG “Concept” at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

We’re still not sure why this is in its concept stage, because it looks pretty much in garnish-and-serve form now, maybe minus the liveries. The GLA 45 AMG will be powered by a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged engine pumping out an impressive 355 hp and 450 Nm of torque. It will be mated to a AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7-speed sports transmission. Mercedes also says that the all-wheel drive CUV will hit 100 kph in less than 5 seconds.

On the outside, it’s still got the raised A-Class body, only this time with a bunch of wannabe-racer bits. The GLA45 AMG also gets 21-inch tyres which are painted matte black with a tinge of red. They are complemented by the AMG high-performance braking system with red brake calipers. The look is further highlighted with high-gloss black roof rails and the cheesy rear spoiler.

Furthermore, there are red accentuations on the radiator grille, exterior mirrors, diffuser insert and AMG rear spoiler. The rear sports a diffuser and two rectangular; high-gloss black tailpipe trims.

As mentioned earlier, the GLA45 AMG is still in its concept phase, but the standard GLA 250 is due to arrive sometime late next year. So you should be able to spot one here and there by sometime in early 2015 in UAE, Saudi Arabia and other GCC countries.