Mercedes is already producing its new electric GLA: 700 km of range and 320 kW charging capacity
Mercedes has already begun mass production of the new electric GLA. The most highly anticipated compact SUV from the star-brand is now being manufactured in Germany and will arrive at European dealerships starting in November. It is a completely revamped model featuring a more modern design, advanced technology, and a range of nearly 700 kilometers.
Mercedes has decided to consolidate under the GLA name the lineup that was previously divided between the gasoline-powered GLA and the electric EQA. The new model is based on a different philosophy, using a platform designed to prioritize electric propulsion and an 800-volt architecture that enables very high charging speeds. The result is one of Mercedes’ most significant launches in its new generation of electric vehicles.
The new GLA is manufactured at Mercedes’ plant in Rastatt, Germany, where the company has already begun producing the first units. The brand is working to start deliveries before the end of the year, with the GLA 250+ and GLA 350 4MATIC serving as the initial models in the lineup.
The new Mercedes GLA uses the MMA platform, an architecture that also serves as the basis for other recent models from the brand, including the two body style variants of the CLA and the new GLB. One of its main features is its focus on electric propulsion, along with an 800-volt electrical system capable of handling charges up to 320 kW.
This capability allows the electric GLA to recover energy at a rate that was previously reserved for higher-end models. For versions equipped with the larger battery, Mercedes claims a 10% to 80% charge in about 22 minutes. During this process, around 60 kWh of energy is transferred, with an average power of nearly 162 kW throughout the charging session.
The German brand also claims that 10 minutes connected to a fast charger allows for up to 270 kilometers of range to be restored, a figure particularly interesting for those who use the electric GLA for long trips. The maximum power of 320 kW, however, requires a charger capable of delivering that level of power along with appropriate temperature and charging conditions.
The initial lineup consists of two main versions. The Mercedes GLA 250+ is equipped with an electric motor of 200 kW, equivalent to 272 horsepower, and features front-wheel drive. Above it is the GLA 350 4MATIC, which comes with all-wheel drive and boosts power to 260 kW, equivalent to 354 horsepower.
Both versions use an 85 kWh capacity battery, and these are precisely the units that have already begun production in Rastatt. Their arrival at dealerships is scheduled for November, so Mercedes wants to have one of its most significant new models on European roads before the end of the year.
Below that is the Mercedes GLA 200, which will serve as the entry-level model in the electric range. It features a battery with LFP technology and 58 kWh of capacity, along with a charging system that reaches up to 200 kW. It takes just over 20 minutes to charge from 10% to 80% capacity.
The result is a compact SUV with a more sporty and tech-oriented appearance compared to its predecessor. While it retains the overall proportions that have made the GLA one of Mercedes’ key models, the visual changes are substantial enough to clearly distinguish this new generation.
The interior also sees a significant technological leap forward. The star feature is the MBUX Superscreen, a large digital display that can integrate two or three screens depending on the selected equipment. Mercedes has focused on minimizing physical controls and concentrating much of the vehicle’s functions in this system.
But there is another innovation that could prove even more important over time. The new electric GLA is one of the first Mercedes models to come equipped out of the factory with MB.OS, the brand’s new operating system.
The architecture is built around a centralized system that connects the vehicle to the cloud, enabling software management from a single platform. Mercedes aims to simplify the car’s electronic structure and facilitate the addition of new functions and updates throughout its lifetime.
This is complemented by advanced technological features that place the new GLA in a significantly different position compared to the previous generation. Mercedes’ goal is for this model to stand out not only due to its range or charging speed but also because of the digital experience and update capabilities offered by its new architecture.
With the arrival of the new electric GLA, Mercedes takes another step toward updating its lineup of electric vehicles. The MMA platform, 800-volt architecture, batteries with a capacity of up to 85 kWh, and a range of nearly 700 kilometers make this model a key component of the German brand’s electric vehicle strategy.
Production is already underway in Rastatt, and the first units will arrive at dealerships in November. Mercedes is thus introducing a GLA that is completely different from the previous version, aiming to compete in one of the most important segments of the European electric vehicle market.