Take a Look at Mercedes’ Exhibits from the LA Auto Show

Like many other carmakers, Mercedes-Benz had to split its attention between Tokyo and Los Angeles, as both cities hosted important auto shows simultaneously.

The Germans did a pretty good job actually, capturing our imagination with the world debuts of the AMG Vision Gran Turismo study, as well as the racy Concept GLA 45 AMG. Mercedes also premiered new production models like the S 65 AMG and SLS AMG Final Edition at the show, which also hosted the U.S. debut of the GLA crossover.

The Concept GLA 45 AMG is a pre-production study that shows us how the upcoming GLA 45 AMG will look like. No big surprises here, and there are no new things under the hood either. The GLA 45 AMG uses the same powerplant from the A 45 AMG, the 2.0-liter turbocharged four delivering 355hp (360PS) and 450Nm (332 lb-ft), connected to an AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7-speed sports dual clutch transmission and the AMG Performance 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system.

The AMG Vision Gran Turismo is all fantasy. It is a 1:1 scale model of the model that will be offered as special downloadable content for the Gran Turismo 6 video game. That being said, it does look spectacular.

A more down-to-earth car (if we’re allowed to use that expression for a 583hp car) is the Final Edition version of the SLS AMG supercar. Mercedes-Benz will only built 350 units of these cars that signal the end of the SLS AMG line. Final Edition models bring updated aerodynamics and interior upgrades, including “AMG FINAL EDITION - 1 of 350” badges.

The most powerful production Mercedes-Benz S-Class model ever made premiered in LA too. We’re talking about the S 65 AMG, which packs 621hp (630PS) and 1,000 Nm (737 lb-ft) of torque from a 6.0-liter biturbo V12 engine. Sporting a similar aero kit to the V8-powered S 63 AMG, the range-topping S-Class will set you back €232,050 in Germany.

Finally, Mercedes’ least spectacular car from the LA booth (but the most important in terms of sales) is the GLA, which had its U.S. debut at the show. The brand’s smallest crossover will arrive in U.S. dealerships in fall 2014.

By Dan Mihalascu

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Mercedes' Concept GLA 45 AMG Chooses LA Show for World Debut [w/Video]

Since many North American consumers shy away from hatchbacks but love hatchbacks that ride on tall suspensions and have plastic bits around their bodies, Mercedes has created the GLA crossover, which has now been lowered down a notch and decorated with aerodynamic parts to welcome the A45 AMG's 355HP (360PS) 2.0-liter turbo. We know, it all sounds confusing, but what can you do…

Announced today at the Los Angeles Auto Show, the GLA 45 AMG will be the second best thing to the A45 AMG five-door hatch, and since it does carry the crossover moniker, it will eventually be offered Stateside.

The only conceptual parts on the car are the liveries and the enhanced aerodynamic package with splitters and a bigger wing, though, even those will likely be offered either as an option, or as part of a special edition package on the production GLA 45 AMG.

Under all that crossove…ruggedness (we just kid), you'll find the same drivetrain as the A45 AMG, with a crazy 2.0-liter turbocharged four delivering 355hp (360PS) and 450Nm (332 lb-ft), connected to an AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7-speed sports dual clutch transmission and the AMG Performance 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system.

The car, which rolls on 255/35 R 21 tires on all four corners, is able to complete the zero to 100 km/h (62mph) sprint in under five seconds, always according to Benz.

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Official Photos of New Mercedes-Benz's GLA 45 AMG Hot Crossover Concept

We still haven't heard where and when Mercedes-Benz is planning to reveal the new GLA 45 AMG Concept crossover, (for what it's worth, the German brand's LA Auto Show presentation is at 11:00 AM PST / 2:00 PM EST), but we now know exactly what the car will look like after a batch of official photos made their way online.

Initially teased through an official video on Tuesday, the GLA 45 AMG Concept is more or less the crossover version of the A45 AMG hot hatch and it previews an upcoming production model.

We would be surprised if the performance GLA came with any other powertrain than the A45 AMG's 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four rated at 355HP (360PS) and 450 Nm (332 lb-ft), paired to a dual-clutch seven-speed transmission and all-wheel drive.

The tall-riding crossover comes with all the usual AMG kit, from the modified bumpers, to the big alloy wheels, the quad pipes and aerodynamic enhancements.

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