What's new?

Mercedes has taken the covers off its 2020 GLA, the second generation of the crossover/SUV that is part of a seven-strong compact car family (the others being the A-Class hatchback, A-Class Saloon, B-Class, CLA, CLA Shooting Brake and the seven-seat GLB SUV). It'll go on sale in the UK early in 2020.

The title mentions AMG power...

Indeed, the new model range is topped by the Mercedes-AMG GLA 35 4Matic. It uses the same formula as the A-Class and CLA '35' variants, which means a feisty turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic and 4Matic four-wheel drive, which can send up to 50 per cent of the engine's output to the rear wheels. That output maxes out at a rather useful 306hp and 400Nm, incidentally, allowing the baby SUV hit 62mph from rest in just 5.1 seconds and a limited top speed of 155mph. It gets the usual AMG accoutrements inside and out and goes up against the likes of the BMW X2 M35i.

What about the rest of the line-up?

Mercedes has confirmed that there will be a range of four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines, kicking off with the GLA 200 (163hp, 250Nm, 8.7 seconds to 62mph), with a plug-in hybrid model arriving a little later on. Some will be available with 4Matic four-wheel drive, which is always paired with a dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Anything else of interest?

The new GLA is significantly taller, wider and longer in the wheelbase than before, leading to useful gains in interior space (helped by distinctly upright seating). There you'll find the usual MBUX infotainment goodness, plus a focus on active safety. Oh, and there's a new car wash function that closes the windows and sunroof, folds the mirrors in, turns off the auto wipers, switches the air conditioning to recirculate and even turns on the front camera to help guide the car into place.