Innovative communications systems, practical carrying systems, elegantly sporty light-alloy wheels, ingenious accessories – the range of Genuine Accessories and Collection items for the new Mercedes-Benz GLA is a diverse one. Highlights include the next-generation version of the drive kit Plus for the iPhone® and the new "Aerostyle" roof bars.
The seamless in-vehicle integration of the iPhone® introduced by Mercedes-Benz in the A-Class in 2012 represented a world premiere. The "drive kit Plus for the iPhone®" is now also available as a retrofit solution, currently for 12 model series – see
http://drive-kit-plus.com/en/#s/availabilityThe next generation of this communications solution is now making its debut in the GLA-Class: the "drive kit Plus for the iPhone®" is now also available for the new iPhone® models 5/5S/5C (from February 2014 as an accessory, as an ex-factory option from the second quarter of 2014). The controls for the system in the vehicle have also been improved: it is able to switch intuitively between Audio 20/COMAND Online and the "drive kit Plus for the iPhone®", while the full functionality of the audio system remains unimpaired. Courtesy of an upgrade kit, customers switching from an iPhone® 4 to an iPhone® 5 can now continue to use their "drive kit Plus for the iPhone®". New functions available with the updated software include an overview of the day's diary entries and a pedestrian navigation system. This allows seamless transfer of route navigation to the iPhone® in cases in which the last few metres from where the vehicle is parked to the final destination need to be covered on foot.
Furthermore, since late 2013 the key new function of Car-to-X communication has been available as part of the Digital DriveStyle App. Should an accident or the presence of a wrong-way driver have been registered anywhere in the vicinity of the vehicle, the driver is warned and the critical area indicated on the map. Any vehicle equipped with Car-to-X technology is also able to send emergency hazard warning messages to other road users. A warning of bad weather conditions, for example, can be passed to the Mercedes Cloud at the touch of a button. This will then send a message to all vehicles in the relevant area equipped with Car-to-X technology.
Practical and attractive: Ingenious carrying systems and sporty accessories
A further highlight of the Genuine Accessories range for the GLA-Class comes in the form of the new Aerostyle roof bars. These provide a multifunctional basis for all Mercedes-Benz carrying and recreational solutions, for example roof boxes, cycle, or combined ski and snowboard racks, and can be quickly fitted to the roof rails without the need for tools. The GLA includes aluminium roof rails as standard with the Style, Urban and AMG lines as well as in conjunction with the Night package.
The very lightweight New Alustyle cycle rack, for example, is just one of the solutions that can be fitted to the roof bars. The bikes themselves can be loaded in two ways: either directly onto the roof, or by attaching them beforehand on the ground. The folding support frame also ensures that wind resistance is minimised when the rack is empty.
A practical solution for carrying items inside the vehicle is the easy-to-clean boot tub: ideal also for carrying foodstuffs or liquids. The shape of the tub, with its slightly raised edge, fits the load area perfectly and is extremely robust, as it is made out of shock-resistant and shatterproof polypropylene.
The Genuine Accessories range also includes an extensive selection of light-alloy wheels for the GLA. One particularly attractive enhancement are 5-spoke light-alloy wheels, size 8 J x 19 – available either painted in black with a high-sheen finish or in vanadium silver metallic.
Giving the vehicle an unusual night-time look is the illuminated Mercedes star. With the aid of fibre-optics and LED technology, the central star inset into the radiator grille lights up when the vehicle is opened or locked by remote control or when the doors or boot lid are opened.
Genuine accessories from AMG serve to emphasise the sporty appearance of the GLA. The range features distinctive AMG 5-spoke wheels, AMG door sill panels in brushed stainless steel with and without LED illumination (from the second quarter of 2014) plus AMG bodystyling components. These include front and rear aprons and side sill panels. From the second quarter of 2014 the range will also include AMG sports stripes in graphite grey in the form of a set of adhesive foils for the sides of the vehicle.
Stylish and fashionable: new accessories for fans of the GLA
The GLA copes nimbly with all the hurdles of everyday life yet at the same time is robust enough for those times when one needs to escape. And with appropriate accessories from Mercedes-Benz, such outings can be made even more enjoyable. New items in the range include a brown/beige-check picnic blanket, a bottle cooler in silk beige neoprene and a brown T-shirt with patch breast pocket. And for those who opt for the satin-finish light brown poplar wood trim for their Mercedes-Benz GLA, the Mercedes-Benz Collection includes matching wood-look cases for the iPad® mini and iPhone® 5.
Spacious and versatile stowage space is something provided not only by the GLA but also by the new Messenger Bag. This leather bag, in orient brown, features a laptop compartment and various other inside pockets, while a canvas shoulder strap enhances carrying comfort. A choice of two key rings is also available for the GLA: one is the familiar version with a scaled-down replica of the tailgate badge. The other is the "Aspen" model: this features a braided loop in brown grosgrain, lined with green cowhide. Both key rings include three additional split rings to allow quick exchange/removal of individual keys.
Highest standards of quality and safety
All items in the Mercedes-Benz Accessories GmbH range meet the exceptional standards of quality and safety that Mercedes-Benz also applies to its vehicles. All products are subject to careful preselection, a rigorous approvals process, regular checks and stringent manufacturing tolerances, whereby the internal standards imposed by Mercedes-Benz are significantly higher than those demanded by law.
The Genuine Accessories range for the GLA-Class and the new accessories catalogue will be available from 15 March from authorised Mercedes-Benz dealers. Further information about Mercedes-Benz Genuine Accessories & Collection are available online:
www.mercedes-benz-accessories.com. The current Mercedes-Benz Collection and the latest navigation CDs and DVDs are also available from the online Shop at:
http://shop.mercedes-benz.com.
