Dubbed GLA, it was built to showcase a new small SUV, a quasi-off-roader that would become part of the regular A-Class range, lining up alongside the hatchback and sedan variants.

Yesterday that concept car became a reality for Australian buyers when Mercedes-Benz launched the first of three GLA variants, the diesel-engined 200 CDI, here. 

The other two, the all-wheel-drive 250 4Matic and 45AMG, will hit the market in July and October respectively.

The big question surrounding the GLA is whether or not it is a real SUV or an A-Class station wagon, especially in the 200CDI variant launched in Melbourne yesterday.

It has front-wheel-drive, a modest 150-millimetre  ground clearance and mixes neatly with the slightly smaller A-Class and B-Class hatchback pair.

Robert Leigh, Mercedes-Benz Australia Pacific compact segment manager, said the SUV market was trending away from squared-edged, big cars to smaller, more rounded cars that still offered such attributes as a higher, more commanding driving position and generous luggage space.

No one will ever be able to accuse Mercedes-Benz of stripping equipment out of its small SUV, the $47,900 (plus on-road costs) car coming to market with a full safety suite of nine airbags, electronic stability control, anti-lock brakes, bi-xenon headlights, a parking assist system, reversing camera, blind spot monitoring, collision prevention assistance, satellite navigation and dual-zone airconditioning.

The company expects to sell about  1000 GLAs this year, the numbers restricted because of supply constraints. Model availability is expected to be far more open next year.

Speaking about the car, Mercedes-Benz Australia Pacific chief executive officer Horst von Sanden said the new GLA represents a strengthening of the company’s small car range in Australia.

“We have been waiting eagerly for the launch of our first compact SUV,” Mr von Sanden said.

The car will go on sale nationally early next week.