Exclusive models have always helped spice up market launches, so it’s no surprise that Mercedes-Benz is cranking up the March 2014 launch of its GLA line by making the Edition 1 variant available right from day one.

This move should help the German car manufacturer attract more prospective buyers for the new compact SUV model, which the company’s execs hope can draw a lot of new customers to the brand.

A ton of special treats come with the Edition 1’s interior and exterior. Nothing less, of course, is expected from the exclusive variant, which is expected to be available only for around one year.

Among the ‘DESERT DUST’ interior furnishings specially made for the Edition 1 are the following: exclusive Edition 1 seats featuring Alvorada fabric, nut brown leather, and moccasin stitching; aluminum trim that comes with trapezoidal grain; a 3-spoke sports steering wheel with a leather finish, flat bottom, and perforated grip; black roof liner; and sports pedals that feature rubber studs and brushed stainless steel material, among others.

As for the exterior, there’s Edition 1 embellishments on the vehicle’s front wings, chrome roof rails, and bi-xenon headlamps. There’s a ton of black used for the extieror: For example, you have the AMG light-alloy 19-inch wheels that have a high-gloss black finish, black exterior mirrors, and black trim strips.

Edition 1 buyers have a healthy choice of color options, too, including mountain grey metallic, orient brown metallic, cirrus white, and designo magno mountain gray. That last one, though, won’t be available until autumn of next year.

Without a doubt, the Mercedes-Benz GLA Edition 1 will help turn some heads on the new model’s market launch. Reception has been warm enough for the GLA, and this exclusive variant will also bring some more interest to a segment that Mercedes-Benz definitely sees as a key area of its business strategy.