SPY: The 2014 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class (X 156) meets snowy roads in Scandinavia

Don't Copy From This Blog...

Winter is quickly spreading across Europe, so it's perfect time for cold weather testing in Northern Scandinavia. Mercedes-Benz is gradually moving its fleet of future models for some development in Sweden. The first model spotted by spy photographers is the upcoming GLA-Class (X 156), slated to appear towards the end of 2013.

The new GLA will be the fourth member of Mercedes-Benz's New Compact Car Generation (NCCG), after the B-Class, A-Class and CLA-Class. It will be assembled at the Rastatt facility, a well-known excellence center for the production of compact-sized models under the Three-Pointed Star.

The new premium compact SUV builds on the heritage of the G-Class, given its official title, and on the dynamic appearance of the new A-Class. Situated right below the GLK, the X 156 displays a modern and progressive exterior styling complete with some beefy rear shoulders, a prominent front fascia with a larger grille and a higher ground clearance to give it the desired all-terrain vehicles look.

The GLA will be offered in both 2WD and 4WD specification, at choice. The modular MFA platform will form a standard equipment for most of the lineup, while the 4MATIC will be available as an option for the high-end petrol and diesel variants. Specially for its new compact class cars, Mercedes-Benz has developed a new version of its versatile 4x4 traction system to suit the character of such models. Most of the time, it acts like a front-biased platform, with some torque also directed towards the rear axle via the 7G-DCT, whom the system works in conjuction with. At need, the system converts to a real 4x4 configuration and can transfer the entire torque to one wheel, to the front axle or to the rear one, given the most adequate grip.

The GLA portfolio will comprise up to seven different versions, four trim lines (Urban, Style, AMG Sport and the special GLA 250 SPORT variant) and unlimited customization possibilities:

- GLA 180 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY: 109 hp
- GLA 200 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY: 136 hp
- GLA 220 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY: 170 hp
- GLA 180 BlueEFFICIENCY: 122 hp
- GLA 200 BlueEFFICIENCY: 156 hp
- GLA 250 BlueEFFICIENCY: 211 hp
- GLA 45 AMG 4MATIC: 354 hp

Related articles:

- Mercedes-Benz 4MATIC: All-wheel drive for all – in every class

- SPY: First encounter with the 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA 45 AMG (X 156)

Image Credits: GermanCarForum

Copyright © 2012, mercedesgla. All rights reserved.

Read More

The first Travego Edition 1 delivered in Sweden

Don't Copy From This Blog...

On 23.03.2012 the first Travego Edition 1 was delivered to the customer during the Swedish International Travel & Tourism Trade Fair in Gothenburg. Gunnar Jörs, a salesman at Mercedes-Benz Buses EvoBus Sverige AB, handed the vehicle over to Lennart Brunosson, General Manager of Lidbergs Buss AB. The Travego Edition 1 with a Euro VI drive system celebrated its world premiere at the Busworld show in Kortrijk in October 2011.

Travego Edition 1 is the first touring coach to meet the Euro VI emission standard

The Travego Edition 1 is the first touring coach to meet the future Euro VI emission standard, which comes into force from 2014. The vehicle features the new range of BlueEfficiency Power engines, a new transmission with new gearshift, a further upgraded, ergonomically optimised cockpit and new safety features. Customers with an eye to the future who opt for the Mercedes-Benz flagship can thus become trailblazers in terms of environmental friendliness.

High-torque Mercedes-Benz engine from the new BlueEfficiency Power engine generation

The Travego Edition 1 is powered by a vertically installed in-line six-cylinder engine from the new OM 471 series. From a displacement of 12.8 l it develops 350 kW (476 hp) at 1800 rpm. The high maximum torque is 2300 Nm at 1100 rpm. The engine features a unique common-rail injection system with pressure booster (X-PULSE). This delivers extremely precise fuel injection with cylinder-selective control, high injection pressures of up to 2100 bar and freely modulated injection – the prerequisites for low fuel consumption, low exhaust emissions and smooth engine operation.

Additional advantages result from the highly effective three-stage exhaust brake and the asymmetric turbocharger. Despite exhaust gas recirculation, this ensures rapid response to accelerator movements for an agile driving performance. The torque characteristics of the new engine permit unusually low, fuel-saving engine speeds.

Conflict between emissions and fuel consumption resolved

The particularly stringent requirements of the future Euro VI emission standard for nitrogen oxide emissions (NOX) generally stand in contradiction to the demands for further reduced particulate emissions and low fuel consumption. Mercedes‑Benz resolves these conflicting objectives with its unique new X-Pulse injection technology, in conjunction with a complex emission control system. This involves BlueTec engine technology with SCR and AdBlue injection, which has already proved its worth in more than 100,000 units, combined with exhaust gas recirculation and a particulate filter.

All in all, Euro VI in the Travego Edition I leads to a further dramatic reduction in pollutant emissions - without the increase in fuel consumption that was initially feared. At the same time AdBlue consumption is reduced by around 40 percent.

Ergonomically optimised driver's cockpit redesigned down to the last detail

The steering-column lever used to operate the gearshift is one of the most conspicuous modifications to the cockpit. This lever replaces the previous joystick on the dashboard. It is used to control all functions and yet, because of the intuitive nature of its operation, remains extremely user-friendly.

But the developers have also realised many more new ideas to optimise the ergonomics for the driver, for example a redesigned display concept. The use of pictograms, along with structured menu navigation via the new multifunction steering wheel, makes it appreciably simpler to access the various functions and displays.

The ignition and the engine start/stop system are controlled by a two-stage pushbutton switch. The switches in the cockpit have been rearranged according to function, and their number noticeably reduced by assigning them multiple purposes. In the Travego Edition 1 the place of the previous joystick shift lever is taken by an open stowage tray.

New safety system Attention Assist warns of drowsiness

The Travego Edition I is the first coach for which Attention Assist is available as a special equipment item. This is a system that registers parameters such as steering angle, speed, longitudinal and lateral acceleration, travelling time, control signals and driver changes. By correlating the data, Attention Assist draws inferences about the driver's alertness. If the data indicate a lack of concentration and drowsiness, a coffee cup symbol appears in the display to indicate that it is time to take a break.

Lidbergs Buss AB

The Swedish bus operator Lidbergs Buss AB is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year. In addition to coach tours with its own travel agency, the company operates regular service and school buses. With the addition of the new Travego Edition 1, the company's Daimler-only fleet will total eight Mercedes-Benz coaches and one Setra coach. Lidbergs Buss AB is represented throughout Sweden, and also operates tours to other European countries such as Denmark and Germany.

Credits: Daimler AG

Copyright © 2012, mercedesgla. All rights reserved.

Read More