New Mercedes-Benz GLA previewed ahead of December debut

The silhouette of the second-generation Mercedes-Benz GLA along with images of it testing have been posted ahead of the redesigned baby SUV's full reveal next month.

Designed to sit below the both the all-new GLB and recently facelifted GLC at the bottom end of Mercedes' rapidly expanding SUV line-up, the next GLA clearly features shorter front and rear overhangs and is around 15mm shorter overall than the model it replaces.

That said, by standing 100mm taller, the second instalment of the GLA is claimed to offer both significantly more head room and legroom.

Thanks to the higher roofline, both the driver and passenger also get a higher driving position to provide a more commanding view of the road ahead.

Based on the same MFA platform as the latest A-Class hatch and A-Class sedan, as well as the CLA four-door 'coupe' and Shooting Brake, plus the B-Class people-mover, the GLA will benefit from a raft of new tech previously unavailable.

This includes new driving assist technology comprising not only semi-autonomous cruise control but active emergency braking that detects pedestrians.

Inside, there's a twin-screen dash set-up lifted from the A-Class and incorporating the car-maker's advanced MBUX infotainment tech.

Under the bonnet the Audi Q2 and BMW X1 rival will feature the same turbocharged 1.33-litre and 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engines as the A-Class. A small 1.5-litre diesel will also be available in some markets.

Later on, the frenetic Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 with at least 310kW of power is expected, along with a new GLA 35 AMG variant that will push out 225kW. Both will offer all-wheel drive.

A plug-in hybrid version is also likely to be in the pipeline after the new GLA goes on sale in Europe early next year.

It's not yet clear where the new GLA will be positioned relative to the current model (from $44,700), but it could undercut the A-Class ($42,900) to make room for the upcoming GLB. Currently the smallest SUVs from rival German brands start at $41,950 (Q2) and $44,500 (X1).

Australians will have to wait until later next year for the 2020 GLA, which will be revealed on December 11.