Spotted: The 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLA Appears Impressive Up Close

      Stefan Baldauf/SB-Medien

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      Mercedes-Benz is preparing to reveal its latest GLA-Class crossover, and our spies have captured some close-up images of prototypes in testing. This complete redesign comes with a new platform architecture aimed at modernizing and aligning its engineering and design with the company's new post-EQ styling direction.

      The next-generation Mercedes-Benz GLA will share the same platform as the new CLA-Class and is expected to adopt similar mechanical features, providing a single, "unified" body style for both its gasoline and electric versions. This indicates that aside from some distinct bumpers and possibly minor adjustments to limit body openings, the overall styling evident here should closely resemble what you'll find on the showroom floor, whether you opt for the gasoline version or the EV.

      Although this prototype is heavily camouflaged, we can discern more body details from these higher-resolution images. It seems the new prototype is finished in black paint, suggested by the small patches peeking through the rear bumper. The rocker cladding appears to be part of the GLA's disguise, making it challenging to determine exactly what Mercedes envisions for the final product.

      Here’s the new, high-quality gallery. The images we received a few weeks ago remain at the bottom of the post if you'd like to spot any differences we might have missed.

      We anticipate the new GLB-Class will debut around the same time, also built on the same platform. The two serve distinctly different purposes for Mercedes, so it's not surprising to see the compact model stick to its segment. The larger, three-row GLB is as close to a minivan as one can get without sliding doors, while the smaller two-row GLA offers a sportier hatchback design, sacrificing some interior utility in return.

      The new body appears to be more streamlined than the current GLA’s. While we can observe some creases on the hood and side panels of this prototype, they seem so distorted that they might merely exist to obscure its true shape. Meanwhile, the rear end looks less rounded compared to the current model, which may help it avoid resembling a four-wheeled sneaker.

      You can view the complete gallery of spy photos in the widget below.

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