The strangest part of the GLA-Class and other small crossovers lately is how low they actually are. Is it an SUV? The OEM plastic shields on the fenders say yes, but the mind is not so sure.
It has taken 20 years then for the world to catch up to the classic Subaru Legacy —> Outback conversion. Taller springs, chunkier rubber and an Eddie Bauer package outside is all you need to sell thousands of cars a year!
Just kidding. (JK BFR = just kidding, but for real.)
How to stay ahead of trends and planted in corners with these taller models? Like all vehicles, giant wheels and lowering springs dramatically up the visual and dynamic appeal of any crossover. The GLA is no different in this regard. Once lowered 1-inch and on these giant monoblock 21-inch wheels, the BRABUS GLA is seriously convincing as a performance car.
Even a hot wagon, one might say. Certainly one that hits 62-mph in 4.4-seconds. With launch control to 60-mph, you are looking at 4.1-seconds. In a crossover.
The top GLA45 AMG and the GLA220 CDI are the initial benefactors of the Brabus plug and play ECU kit, which adds 30-plus horsepower in under 30 minutes — without ever lifting the hood.
The exterior overhaul is expressive and will help even the lowest-priced GLA250 sold in the US market to look worth double its $34,000 base price.
All of these parts are available individually as well as a custom set.
For the world’s coolest car fans — nothing else comes close to an ultra-low and ultra-fast wagon or crossover shape!
Evidence? Just look at our daily driver… a Subaru Legacy GT!
One note to Brabus though – from an fast wagon junky?
Where are the tinted windows on this GLA? It looks so much better with this cheap addition…
BRABUS GLA Before and After Window Tinting to 20%
2005 Subaru Legacy GT vs 2014 Subaru Outback
2015 BRABUS Mercedes-Benz GLA
NEWS RELEASE
BRABUS refines the AMG sports versions of the Mercedes GLA-Class:
Engine tuning with up to 294 kW / 400 horsepower, 21-inch wheels, aerodynamic enhancement
The Mercedes GLA-Class not only shines as the smallest SUV from the brand, but in the sports
version and especially as the GLA 45 sets some markedly dynamic highlights. To further expand on
these talents, BRABUS has developed a tailor-made refinement program for the
five-door car.
The product range includes engine tuning for the various diesel- and gasoline-powered models
culminating in the 294-kW / 400-horsepower version for the GLA 45, aerodynamic-enhancement
components, and tailor-made BRABUS Monoblock wheels with diameters of up to 21 inches that give the
crossover vehicle an even more athletic appearance.
BRABUS offers the world’s most extensive engine tuning program for Mercedes-Benz automobiles. The
product lineup naturally also includes performance kits for the various GLA engines that deliver an
optimal symbiosis of power, refinement, flawless durability and exemplary eco-friendliness. The
high quality of the products developed by BRABUS is documented by the one-of-a-kind BRABUS Tuning
Warranty® of three years, up to 100,000 kilometers / 62,000 miles (see BRABUS Warranty Terms and
Conditions, updated July 2013). BRABUS recommends MOTUL high-performance lubricants.
BRABUS offers the PowerXtra B25 performance kit for the four-cylinder turbocharged engine of the
GLA 250 with front- or all-wheel drive. The plug-and-play module is integrated into the engine
electronics. The new parameters for the engine management system and boost pressure control bumps
the power output from standard 155 kW / 211 horsepower to 180 kW / 245 horsepower (208 to 241 bhp).
At the same time, peak torque jumps from 350 to 385 Nm (258 to 284 lb-ft). This results in
noticeably improved driving dynamics and driving fun. The sprint time from rest to 100 km/h (62
mph) is shortened to 6.7 seconds, the top speed increases to 250 km/h (155 mph).
The array of engine tuning for the compact SUV is crowned by the BRABUS PowerXtra CGI B45 tuning
kit for the GLA 45. After the conversion, the top-of-the-line GLA model churns out 294 kW / 400
horsepower (394 bhp) and produces a peak torque of 500 Nm (369 lb-ft). With this engine under the
hood, the all-wheel-drive car sprints from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 4.4 seconds. In
conjunction with the BRABUS V/max unit, the power-SUV reaches a top speed of 270 km/h (168 mph).
BRABUS ECO PowerXtra D3 is the name of particularly efficient performance tuning for the
common-rail turbodiesel engine of the Mercedes GLA 220 CDI. The installation of this plug-and-play
auxiliary control unit delivers an extra 30 kW / 40 horsepower (40 bhp). Propelled by 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 and reaches a new top speed of 220 km/h (137 mph).
The BRABUS sports stainless-steel quad exhaust is available for almost all GLA gasoline and diesel
engines. The exhaust system produces a sportier but never obtrusive exhaust note. A BRABUS sports
exhaust with actively controlled butterfly valve is optionally available for the GLA 250 4MATIC. It
offers the driver an individual sound tuning between subtle and decidedly sporty at the push of a
button in the cockpit.
A diffusor insert for the rear bumper of the sporty GLA models with AMG body styling matches the
BRABUS sports exhaust system and features tailor-made cutouts for the four chrome tailpipes with
hallmark design. The front of the AMG Line version can be upgraded with a BRABUS front spoiler and
design elements for the air intakes in the front bumper. It goes without saying that the BRABUS
product lineup also features body styling components for the other design and equipment lines of
the Mercedes GLA-Class.
The BRABUS engineers and technicians have developed LED underfloor lighting for all versions to
make getting in and out easier and safer in the dark. It is activated with the keyless remote or by
pulling on a door handle. The BRABUS rear spoiler, which mounts to the liftgate, can likewise be
used universally on all GLA models.
BRABUS alloy wheels in OEM quality play a crucial role in the exclusive looks of the GLA refined by
BRABUS. The spectrum of tailor-made tire/wheel combinations ranges in diameter from 18 to 21 inches.
The largest option for the compact SUV features forged BRABUS 9Jx21 “Platinum Edition” wheels in
the two striking Monoblock F and R designs. BRABUS technology partners Continental, Pirelli and
YOKOHAMA supply the matching high-performance tires up to size 255/30 R 21 front and back.
BRABUS sports springs lower the ride height of the GLA by about 25 millimeters (1 inch). The lower
center of gravity results in even sportier handling. Customers looking for a lifted suspension in
the interest of more comfortable ingress and egress as well as further optimized visibility will
find a suspension solution specifically designed for them that raises the ride height of the GLA by
about 30 millimeters (1.2 in.).
BRABUS also fulfills all kinds of individual requests when it comes to the interior. The lineup of
exclusive accessories ranges from two-tone stainless-steel scuff plates with optionally backlit
BRABUS logo to matt anodized pedals and door lock pins, to aluminum ‘Race’ shift paddles.
The BRABUS upholstery shop offers even more variety. In line with the customer’s requests the
upholsterers can complete the ex-factory leather interior appointments or craft completely new and
particularly exclusive BRABUS fine leather interiors for which they use especially soft yet
extremely durable BRABUS Mastik leather and Alcantara in any desired color.
BRABUS 2014.
Please note: additional BRABUS information for you and your readers is available on our website at
www.brabus.com
2015 BRABUS GLA X156 CATALOG
Front bumper / front Spoiler – in Vorbereitung
Rear bumper – in preperation
Rear Spoiler
156-450-00 |
|
BRABUS rear spoilerPUR-R-Rim |
Side skirts
156-330-00 |
|
BRABUS illuminationfor original side skirts |
Special Equipment
000-000-11 |
|
TUV-parts assessment |
156-000-21 |
|
BRABUS logo on bonnetReplaces MB star |
211-000-14 |
|
BRABUS logo for tailgatechrome |
218-000-20 |
|
BRABUS logo front |
219-000-22 |
|
BRABUS logo for side of the car |
Wheels
Accessories
Sports Suspension
Sports exhaust Systems
Complete interior appointments
Shift paddles, aluminium trim sets
Performance kits gasoline engines
Performance kits diesel engines
156-730-00 |
|
BRABUS ECO PowerXtra D3Base GLA 220 CDI+30 kW / 40 hp, +60 Nm
|
Tom Burkart is the founder and managing editor of Car-Revs-Daily.com, an innovative and rapidly-expanding automotive news magazine.
He holds a Journalism JBA degree from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Tom currently resides in Charleston, South Carolina with his two amazing dogs, Drake and Tank.
Mr. Burkart is available for all questions and concerns by email Tom(at)car-revs-daily.com.