New models Mercedes CLA—Entry-level class for 45,000 euros*

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Mercedes' new luxury strategy is taking shape. The CLA will soon mark the entry into the world of Mercedes—initially as a purely electric model. The coupé sedan aims to set standards in efficiency, charging, and digitalization.

Compact models from Mercedes? History. A- and B-Class are heading to the museum. After Mercedes CEO Ola Källenius announced his new luxury strategy a few years ago, things are now taking shape: Anyone who wants to drive a star-branded car in the future must at least get used to a coupé sedan over 4.70 meters long (approx. 15 ft long), called CLA.

The model is the most important new release from Mercedes this year and is considered in the industry both as a beacon of hope and as a test for the company boss. However, by deciding to focus not on volume as in the past, but on higher positioning and thus on better profit margins, the top manager could also be wrong. Furthermore, he is simultaneously playing into the hands of the competition. Both BMW and Audi continue to stick with their compact hatchback models, the 1 Series and the A3.

Entry into the Mercedes brand world will probably be at least 45,000 euros (48.807 USD), initially even higher. Because the CLA will start in the summer initially as an electric model. Here, the 50,000-euro (54.230 USD) mark is likely to be exceeded. The petrol mild hybrid will only come at the end of the year.

Drawn conservatively, announced with fanfare

Considering the importance of the CLA and that the coupé sedan, according to Mercedes, launches the "largest product offensive in the company's history," the design turned out surprisingly restrained, rather drawing on classic Mercedes lines and the proportions of the predecessor. The design courage and progressiveness, as embodied for example by BMW's Neue Klasse sedan, is lacking in the internally called C 174 CLA.

In contrast, it is all the more advanced underneath the surface, especially in the electric version CLA with EQ technology, as it is officially called. For this, the engineers have developed a completely new architecture, the MMA (Mercedes Modular Architecture), based on 800 volts. Many of the innovations could be adopted from the EQXX technology platform, which has already set several long-distance records and covered over 1,200 kilometers (approx. 745,6 miles) on a single battery charge.

The production CLA is also expected to set standards in its segment, particularly in the areas of range, efficiency, and charging speed. Another motto during development was: no compromises in everyday usability compared to conventional drives. As an electric vehicle, the CLA has a trunk size of 400 liters. This is slightly less than before, but an additional 100 liters are provided by the "frunk" under the front hood. The compartment is ideal for storing the charging cable.

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Rear-wheel drive with a new centerpiece

In the base version CLA 250+, the sedan has rear-wheel drive. At the rear, there is always a permanently excited synchronous machine (PSM) with 200 kW, combined with a two-speed gearbox. Mercedes calls this newly used and particularly compact drive unit Electric Drive Unit 2.0 (EDU 2.0).

In the all-wheel-drive (CLA 350 4Matic), an additional 80 kW is added at the front axle as a boost function. The system output is specified at 260 kW. Both electric machines are controlled independently. The engineers also opted for a PSM solution at the front, citing better efficiency in operation and higher recuperation performance. To avoid drag losses, the electric motor can be disconnected in a flash via the Disconnect Unit (DCU) when needed. Although the system is technically more complex than with an ASM (asynchronous machine), it positively contributes to the range.

And here, the Swabian automakers aim to set the bar very high. Under WLTP conditions, the over two-ton CLA is expected to achieve up to 790 kilometers (approx. 491 miles) on a single battery charge, although the usable capacity is "only" 85 kWh. However, the good aerodynamics (c_W value 0.21), new power electronics including a silicon carbide inverter, and a changed battery chemistry with higher energy density create the necessary conditions here. All this results in a consumption of only 12.2 kWh/100 km (WLTP), a record in its class. For good reason, the Stuttgart developers proudly speak of the "one-liter car of the electric age."

Charge faster, travel further

Premium travel comfort should also be enabled by short charging times. The CLA can handle over 320 kW at the DC charger. Under optimal conditions, it would be possible to charge the battery from ten to 80 percent in just 22 minutes. Or, more practically expressed: Within ten minutes, a range of 325 kilometers (approx. 201 miles) can be recharged.

A little later in the year, the CLA will also be available with a smaller battery (58 kWh) based on lithium iron phosphate. Alternatively, it will be available as a combustion engine, specifically as a 1.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline hybrid with 48-volt technology. The electric motor has been integrated into the dual-clutch transmission and even allows electric driving up to 100 km/h, "sailing," and recuperation.

Behind the steering wheel, the CLA driver enters a new world of digitalization. The cockpit is dominated by a superscreen. It stretches across the entire width of the dashboard. On the up to three seamlessly integrated screens, real-time graphics can be seen, previously only known from the gaming world. Resolution, display, and computing power are among the best the industry currently has to offer. This is made possible, among other things, by the internally developed operating system MB.OS, essentially the brain of the car. According to Markus Schäfer, Chief Technology Officer, Development & Procurement, this is supposed to make the CLA the "most intelligent vehicle" that Mercedes has ever built.

Autonomous driving—almost there

MB.OS is a so-called chip-to-cloud software operating system that covers infotainment, automated driving, comfort, and charging. Integrated with it is the AI-supported MBUX Virtual Assistant, which allows significantly better and simpler dialogues than before and even understands multiple questions in succession.

That the Stuttgart automaker is among the world's best in the field of autonomous driving is part of the brand's claim with the star. In the CLA, Level 2++ should soon be possible. The combination of radar and camera (expensive lidar sensors are not necessary) will then allow driving even in heavy city traffic without having to keep hands on the steering wheel. However, responsibility remains with the driver, and they must still keep their eyes on the road. Currently, Mercedes is still awaiting approval from Brussels. The system is being tested intensively in China and California and is expected to be introduced by 2026.

The new CLA will be built at the Rastatt plant. However, it will not stop there. The MMA family plans three more models in the coming two years. Still to come this year is a CLA as a Shooting Brake (sports estate) and in 2026 the two SUV derivatives GLA and GLB.

*48.807 USD 

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