The Mercedes-Benz compact family has been growing since the arrival of the A-Class in the mid-1990s. With all already updated or new, the GLA is the next in line for a major change.

The A-Class hatchback and sedan, the B-Class MPV, the CLA four-door coupe, the CLA Shooting Brake, the GLA SUV and now the seven-seat GLB are currently the members of the Mercedes-Benz compact family. All, except the GLA, have already gone through a makeover or are completely new.

The time has come for the Mercedes-Benz GLA to get the restyling that its siblings have already received. The update will make it return to the top of the premium small SUVs segment, to fight the latest BMW X1 and Audi Q3 generations, but also the new-comers Jaguar E-Pace and the Volvo XC40.

It is already clear by now that the GLA will take over the design elements from the other compact models. The narrower headlights, the elongated taillights, the modern interior and the up-to-date technology. Fans mostly know what to expect, but the spy phots of the car caught testing have sparked the imagination of automotive-enthusiast artist.

Thus Kleber Silva, already an expert in revealing design secrets, has digitally rendered the future Mercedes-Benz GLA. The SUV looks massive and rugged, with unfamiliar creases and, something that fans have not expected, the headlights resemble those of the new GLE.

The car built on the company’s MFA platform will take over the engine range of its compact siblings and the 4MATIC all-wheel drive system will be optionally available. The SUV will also get the new 1.3-liter 4-cylinder engine developed by Daimler with the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance, as a entry-level variant. Up the range, the 2.0-liter petrol engine will propel the GLA 250, while the base diesel, the 1.5-liter Renault-sourced dCi should find its way under the bonnet of the entry-level diesel variant. A 2.0-liter diesel will also be available.

An AMG GLA 35 and GLA 45 are also in the cards, mimicking the A 35 and A 45 models, with over 400 horsepower reserved for the top-of-the-range S model.

Mercedes-Benz is planning on showing the all-new GLA in September, at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The car will hit the showrooms by the end of the year.