2015 Mercedes GLA-Class sets two environmentally friendly benchmarks

Work for Torque News, follow on Twitter, Youtube and Facebook.

New 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class receives environmental certificate demonstrating just how efficient the new compact luxury SUV can be.

The all-new 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class is coming soon to the U.S. market and it’s coming with high environmental compatibility. GLA as has now been confirmed by the neutral inspectors from the TUV Sud technical inspection authority in Germany as an environmentally friendly vehicle. GLA has been awarded the Environmental Certificate in accordance with ISO standard TR 14062. The award is based on a comprehensive life-cycle assessment of the model series, documenting every detail of relevance for the environment.

This is not new for Mercedes-Benz as they have demonstrated with the M- and the GLK-Class SUVs. "We have already demonstrated with the M- and the GLK-Class that energy efficiency and environmental compatibility are fully reconcilable with an SUV. As one of the most fuel-efficient vehicles in its segment, the new GLA-Class is now setting benchmarks in the SUV world," notes Professor Dr Herbert Kohler, Chief Environmental Officer at Daimler AG.

Mercedes-Benz analyses the environmental compatibility of its models throughout their entire life cycle. They do the analysis all the way from production, through their entire years of service, to recycling at the end of their lives. Mercedes takes the analysis beyond the legal requirements. The Environmental Certificate and supplementary information are made available to the public as part of the "Life Cycle" documentation series, which can be accessed on their website, mercedes-benz.com.

2015 Mercedes GLA-Class sets two environmentally friendly benchmarks with its segment-leading Cd value of 0.29 and increased use of recycled and natural materials. GLA is fuel-efficient because of its excellent aerodynamics. It’s Cd value of 0.29 makes it the leading small SUV with a drag area of just 0.66 m squared.

The GLA-Class already meets the recoverability rate of 95 percent by weight, for recycled materials. The European ELV Directive 2000/53/EC requires vehicle manufacturers to continually increase the input of recycled materials in their production processes. In all, the new GLA-Class incorporates 41 components representing a total weight of 35.9 kilograms which can be produced with the partial use of recycled plastics.

The new GLA uses wheel arch linings made from reprocessed starter batteries and bumper coverings. Mercedes says in all, 46 components in the new GLA-Class with a total weight of 21 kilograms are made using natural materials. The load compartment cover is partially made from recycled paper, and is only half as heavy as a conventional component. A multi-patented material composition and the attendant manufacturing process furthermore reduce CO2 emissions during component production by 60 per cent.

Mercedes-Benz is innovative and continues to roll out exciting new vehicles and a new environmentally-friendly premium compact SUV is about to launch. The German automaker is launching the new 2015 GLA-Class SUV which is their fourth new premium compact to hit the market. It will first launch in Europe this month and in the U.S. later this year. Stay tuned to Torque News for the latest Mercedes GLA news.

Other 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA stories of interest.