In one of their most odd publicity stunts, Mercedes-Benz took the new GLA crossover 189-metres below ground within the vast Winsford Rock Salt Mine in Cheshire. The idea was for the car to make its UK debut at the very core of the country… literally.

There is of course some method to this madness. Winsford Mine is supplies much of the gritting salt and its terrain is probably some of the toughest to drive on. By successfully conquering it, the Mercedes GLA proves it is not just a jacked-up hatchback designed to make the real housewives of Cheshire feel all high and mighty. It actually has some decent off-road capabilities.

In this effort four standard, road-going examples of the new GLA went down the mine, hitting its network of more than 130 miles of tunnels hard. They relied solely on the sophistication of their suspension system and the prowess of the 4Matic all-wheel-drive, as well as Intelligent Light System (ILS) and advanced traction systems, to cope with the broken terrain and come out the other side unscathed.

Mercedes GLA salt mine challenge marks the beginning of a potentially successful career for the car in the UK. The car is now on sale with prices starting from £25,080 OTR for the GLA 200 CDI. Below you will find photographs of the GLA wrestling the mine’s twists and turns.