November 17, 2020 - Heels & Horsepower Magazine

At a Glance: Meet the Mercedes-Benz GLA

vuyi on November 17, 2020

Mercedes-Benz has taken the wraps off its biggest, most luxurious GLA to date. Vuyi Mpofu attended the media presentation of the new GLA and shares a bird’s-eye-view of what the vehicle has to offer.

Mercedes-Benz has taken the wraps off its biggest, most luxurious GLA to date. South African customers will be able to choose from the GLA 200 and the GLA 200d.

With powerful and efficient four-cylinder engines, the latest driving assistance systems with cooperative driver support and the MBUX infotainment system with intuitive operation, the new model has all the strengths of the current generation of compacts from Mercedes-Benz.

The GLA 200’s 1332cc engine puts out 120kW and 250Nm of torque, with combined fuel consumption of 6.0-5.7 1/100 km. The GLA 200d’s 1950cc diesel engine generates 110kW and 320Nm of torque, with a combined fuel consumption of 5.2-4.9 l/100 km.

Video courtesy of Opak Media

Self-assured and dynamic exterior design

The GLA features powerful overall proportions, with powerful shoulders coupé-like lines, giving the car a dynamically elegant flair. The doors reach over the sills, thereby improving ease of access, keeping the door frames (and the occupants’ trousers) free of dirt.

The rear lights are in two parts, with the reflectors positioned separately in the bumper. The makes it possible to open the load compartment wider, making loading easier and the rear end appear wider. As with the other Mercedes-Benz SUV models, the radiator grille features distinctive openings, with a single louvre and a central star.

Contemporary and high-quality interior

The instrument panel on the driver’s side is dominated by a free-standing display unit, which is available with two 7-inch displays (17.78 cm), a 7- and 10.25-inch display (26 cm) and, in the Widescreen version, with two 10.25-inch displays.

The five round ventilation outlets feature a high-quality turbine look, and the door centre panel flows seamlessly over into the armrest.

Included as standard is the intuitively operated MBUX infotainment system (Mercedes-Benz User Experience). The system can be individually configured, and features a powerful computer, brilliant screens and graphics, customisable presentation, full colour head-up display, optional navigation with augmented reality, learning software, and voice control activated with the prompt ‘Hey Mercedes’.

Bigger interior, more functionality

The front seating positions are higher and more upright than before, and thus all-round visibility has been improved. The rear seats can be optionally adjusted by 14 centimetres, making room for such items as bulky boxes. There is still plenty of room for one or two people in the rear since these backrest variants come with a 40:60 split. The rear seat back rest can be can be split 40:20:40, with each section folding down individually.

The height-adjustable load floor, which comes as standard, offers considerable variability. When the rear seat backrests are folded down and the load floor is in the upper position, an almost flat loading area extending to the front seats can be created. For very bulky objects, the load floor can be put in the lower position, the cross member behind the rear seats can be removed and the rear seats with optional fore/aft adjustment can be moved forward.

Keeping an eye on the surrounding traffic

Driving assistance systems have also been enhanced in the new GLA and if you opt for the optional Driving Assistance Package, features include turning manoeuvre function, emergency corridor function, exit warning, pedestrian warning, Active Distance Assist Distronic, Active Steer Assist, Active Speed Limit Assist, route-based speed adjustment, evasive steering assist, active lane-keeping assist, active blind-spot assist, active brake assist, traffic sign assist and pre-safe plus which detects a potential rear impact.

Blind Spot Assist warns of vehicles, including bicycles, in the danger area – even when the vehicle is stationary. Traffic Sign Assist recognises posted speed limits and no-overtaking signs, and when selected, gives a signal when the speed limit is exceeded. No-entry restrictions are also recognised.

New car wash function

The GLA is the first model in its class to feature a car wash function: with just one command, the exterior mirrors are folded in and the side windows and sliding roof closed. The climate control switches to air-recirculation mode and, after a few seconds, the front image from the 360° camera (if fitted) is displayed to assist the driver when driving into the car wash. These settings are automatically deactivated when the driver drives out of the car wash.

The two GLA models at a glance:

		GLA 200d	GLA 200
Engine		1950 cc/L4	1332cc/L4
Transmission	automatic	8G-DCT	7G-DCT
Output	kW	110	120
at	rpm	3400-4400	5500
Max. torque	Nm	320	250
at	rpm	1400-3200	1620 – 4000
Combined fuel consumption	l/100 km[1]	5.2-4.9	6.0-5.7
Combined CO2 emissions	g/km[1]	133	137
Acceleration 0- 100 km/h	s	8.9	8.7
Top speed	km/h	205	210

Image courtesy of Motorpress

We’ll be in a better position to give a more in-depth review of the new Mercedes-Benz GLA once we have had it on test in the new year.

Priced from:

GLA 200: R 674 000-00

GLA 200d: R 710 000-00

Signs of Brake Trouble

vuyi on November 17, 2020

We don’t normally think about our car’s brakes. We simply step on the pedal and the car slows down or stops, and that’s it. Sometimes it’s a light tap on the pedal, and other times a hard and urgent stop.

Brakes should wear out slowly and are designed to last anywhere between 60 000 and 90 000 kilometers according to your driving style. However, in the process of wearing out, there are a few tell-tale signs which every driver should be aware of. These include:

Vibration or pulsation through brake pedal while braking
A tendency for one or more wheels to lock up and skid while braking
Vehicle pulls to one side while braking
Excessive brake pedal travel toward the floor while braking
Brake pedal feels “soft” or “spongy” underfoot

It’s also important to listen to any noises the brakes might make. Groaning, screeching, or squealing noises are all trouble signs. A metallic screech is especially worrisome – many brake pads are designed with a steel tab that protrudes from the backing plate and drags on the rotor when the pads’ friction material reaches a minimum thickness. This wear indicator is designed to alert the driver that it’s time to change pads.

On other pad designs that don’t feature a wear indicator, a metal-to-metal grinding noise indicates that the friction surface is worn clear through to the rivets and backing plate. In that case, the only braking ability you have is coming from metal-to-metal contact, which is obviously very dangerous and will quickly destroy the smooth surface of the brake rotors.

The safest way to ensure that the brakes work optimally or that problems are identified and rectified timeously, it is important to be aware of how your vehicle performs at all times and to keep up with regular vehicle service intervals.

Know Your Towing Rights

vuyi on November 17, 2020

Being stuck on the side of the road can be unpleasant and scary, particularly if you are stranded as a result of a car accident. Our Editor, Vuyi Mpofu shares a few tips all motorists should keep in mind.

We often hear of motorists who, after being involved in a car crash, have their vehicles towed away either without their permission or to storage places that charge excessive daily rates.

While this practice is generally done by unethical tow truck operators, it can be avoided when motorists are aware of their rights.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

If you are insured, contact your insurance provider for advice. Do not let anyone else contact them on your behalf.
If your insurance includes cover for towing, contact the emergency number provided with your cover,
If you are uninsured, it is your right to choose which tow truck service you will use, however, make sure you understand their terms and conditions and get such in writing before permitting them to tow your vehicle away.
Always check and read any documentation carefully before signing.
Get all the relevant information from the tow truck operator before allowing him to move your vehicle. This should include:
1. their name
2. company name,
3. company registration or association registration number,
4. contact number and office physical address
5. the physical address of their storage yard (if it is different from their physical address),
6. registration number of the tow truck vehicle.
Take a video/photographs of your surroundings and vehicle including when it has been attached to the tow truck before it leaves.
Establish upfront, and in writing if possible, how much the service is going to cost (including per kilometer rates), and how much any storage costs will be, especially if you do not have any cover.
Remove all valuables from your vehicle before it is towed.

It is important to note that not all tow truck service companies are unprincipled. There are accredited service providers who adhere to strict rules of conduct. Motorists should not feel obligated or allow themselves to be intimidated into doing anything they don’t want to do.

Being covered by insurance is the best option, but even without it, no-one has the right to take your vehicle without your consent