Mercedes GLA Spied Testing on Public Roads

Spy photos of the Mercedes GLA small crossover already confirmed that it was production-bound, but these photos reveal new details.

Previous shots came from a closed course, but the fact that the car is being tested on public roads suggests it is making more progress toward being production-ready.

The car will run on the brand’s front-wheel drive MFA platform — the same as its new A-Class. It will also share engines with the car and is likely to reach the U.S. with a turbocharged four cylinder capable of about 200 hp.

It won’t arrive in North American showrooms, however, until after the new A-Class is up for sale in 2014.