The new Mercedes EQA and GLA are renewed and today represent the perfect synthesis of Mercedes-Benz's strategy, which intends to continue to satisfy the different needs of customers, whether it is a fully electric transmission or a latest generation combustion engine.
An endothermic and electric response to the different needs of customers well beyond 2030. Two 'different twins', which take different technological paths, expanding the possibility of choice within the Star's model offering.
"In its global strategy - said Maurizio Zaccaria, sales manager for Mercedes Benz Italy while meeting the specialized press - Mercedes is focused on its mission of becoming completely electric, but customers and market conditions will establish the pace of this transformation. a strategy that is immediately evident from the entry segments of the Stella, with the EQA and its counterpart in the endothermic world, the GLA. Two models expressing the same bodytype and, together, capable of offering the greatest possible choice of engines: diesel, petrol exclusively mild hybrid, plug-in hybrid and full electric".
And precisely to test the potential, a test drive was done with the full electric EQA and the plug hybrid GLA 250e on a route that took us from Rome to Pisa.
Two cars almost identical in size, wheelbase and habitability but with two different hearts.
Photo story Mercedes GLA and EQA
In comparing the traction technologies adopted by the two sisters, EQA and GLA bring peace between the BEV and ICE 'fans', highlighting how the world of traditional engines and that of 100% electric mobility are not that far apart, especially in terms of use. daily.
A distance that is becoming increasingly technologically thin thanks to increasingly advanced full electric traction systems, increasingly extended ranges and increasingly shorter charging times.
Naturally, with a full electric car the approach to traveling also changes.
Having left Rome with a full tank, we did a first quick recharge after about 130 km at the Fabro service area on the A1.
In reality there was still a lot of autonomy, but during the coffee break we did a small refueling which brought the charge back to just over 75%.
During the journey to Pisa we then recharged for about 30 minutes at the Arno Est service area which allowed us to arrive in Pisa with over 50% of remaining autonomy.
"Electric engines - stated Zaccaria - are a natural extension of our offer. An additional opportunity for our customers who, even in the context of an endothermic choice, are increasingly oriented towards hybrid, mild or plug-in solutions. in. For this reason, GLA and EQA today represent two complementary options within the same family. This is also thanks to the significant increase in autonomy that the new generation of EQA has benefited from which, with the 250+ version, reaches up to 560 km This means being able to travel without worries, even covering long distances and, with a short stop at the supercharge, effectively equalizing the autonomy gap compared to a GLA."
The EQA offers 3 engines from 190 to 292 HP with 2 and 4 four-wheel drive with a range of up to 560 km and a battery pack ranging from 66.5 to 70.5 kWh.
The choice is wider for the GLA with diesel, petrol and PHEV engines with power ranging from 116 to 421 HP (GLA 45 S).
In particular, the 250e plug-in hybrid allows you to travel up to 70 km in 100% electric mode.
Prices of the new EQA and GLA start from 56,630 and 43,526 respectively.
Both cars are offered in 7 versions.
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