Mercedes-Benz's fourth member of the compact car theme sees daylight

Strategic decisiveness is one of the most vital success attributes for companies in every industry at every level. But few car companies, in this case, understand where it comes from or how to find a way to cultivate it. It is, thus, not surprising that picking one strategic direction and then decisively pursuing that direction are hallmarks of good carmakers. And it is this obviously important skill that distinguishes excellent carmakers from the average ones.

German marque Mercedes-Benz is a perfect example of making a decision and charting the steps for executing it. A decision that will attract the young, trendy and stylish buyers to its cars. A decision that will no doubt be the stepping stone for the brand's success.

The fourth and latest model of the MFA (Modular Front Architecture) platform to grace the compact car theme is the handsome Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class.

Sporting a hunkered and matured look, the compact crossover essentially shares its mechanical package and its interior appointments with the A and CLA-Class.

Where it stands out, though, is the aggression for both its looks and driveability that have somehow been lacking in the brand's compact car theme. "With its striking features, the GLA embodies our progressive thinking and enthrals with its off-road proportions," said Gorden Wagener, Vice President Design Daimler AG.

The GLA, in fact, went through extensive tests to prove its robustness. 24 GLA prototypes completed some 1.8 million kilometres of testing and had to persist stressful trials related to its all-wheel drive operations. Even a sprint programme, consisting of 240 laps at the legendary Nurburgring Nordschleife, was conducted to ensure perfection for the car.

At launch, two petrol and two diesel variants are offered. The power range of the 1.6 and 2.0-litre petrol engines will extend from 156bhp in the GLA200 to 211bhp in the GLA250. The two diesel engines, on the other hand, excel with dynamic torque. The 2.2-litre GLA200 CDI generates a maximum of 136bhp and 300Nm of torque while the stronger 2.2-litre GLA220 CDI is capable of 170bhp and 350Nm of twisting force.

The sportier GLA 45 AMG is also available. Similar to the maniacal A 45 AMG and the CLA 45 AMG, the 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo engine produces 360bhp of power and develops a peak torque of 450Nm, allowing the latest Merc to finish the century sprint in a remarkable 4.8 seconds.

The GLA-Class will reach Singapore in the middle of this year.