‘New CLA will set the bar’ Mercedes promises

German premium car manufacturer Mercedes-Benz says its upcoming entry-level CLA will set the bar for EV range, charging speed, and efficiency with advanced new tech. Ahead of its arrival in 2025, Mercedes is giving us a slightly closer look at its new generation of electric cars.

“With the CLA, we are ushering in a new era at Mercedes-Benz,” CEO Ola Källenius said after driving the new EV at its Immendingen test site (south of Stuttgart) for the first time.

The new model will be the first of a new family of vehicles, kicking off “a new chapter for the entry-level segment at Mercedes-Benz.” Mercedes said the new electric CLA “is designed to set new standards in range, efficiency and charging speed.”

Next generation

Based on Mercedes’ next-gen MMA platform, the CLA integrates tech from its ultra-efficient Vision EQXX concept and brings it into mass production. Mercedes said it developed a new electric drive unit in-house to ensure high performance and efficiency.

During the event, Källenius showed off the “secret” CLA EV, revealing new features and details, including the new headlight design.

With the headlights being the first thing you see at night, Källenius said the design had to be perfect. One of the coolest design details is the Mercedes star logo integrated into the headlights. Although it looks pretty, Källenius said the design is also about safety and not blinding others on the street.

After hopping into the new EV, you can hear Källenius talk to the vehicle, and Mercedes’ virtual assistant responds. It’s “like you have a butler in your car,” the Mercedes CEO explained.

The new entry-level model will be loaded with Mercedes’ latest software and connectivity tech. It will be the first to be equipped with the new MB.OS, or “the brain” behind its next-gen vehicles, as Mercedes calls it. During the test drive, the latest model shows off its sporty design and dynamic driving as it rips around the test track. “This is not even the AMG version,” Källenius said.

Two-speed transmission, fast charging

“With a two-speed transmission, we can perfectly calibrate how the electric motor works at every speed you drive to maximize efficiency,” Källenius explained. Usually, EVs have a single-gear transmission; Mercedes is copying Porsche with its Taycan here.

Electric motors make their maximum torque from 0 rpm and can run at ultra-high speeds, so most are capable of both around-town driving and highway cruising without a multi-speed transmission. However, adding a second gear for high-speed operation is welcome and will likely boost the car’s efficiency.

He said the CLA EV will have “incredibly fast” charging. With a new high-powered charging system, “charging almost becomes like fueling.”

Mercedes will officially unveil the new entry-level CLA EV next year. The new model will rival Tesla’s Model 3 and BMW i4, to name just a few, and is expected to cost around €50,000. The CEO stressed that it will also be available in a hybrid version.

“With the CLA, we are ushering in a new era at Mercedes‑Benz. We will substantially elevate every aspect of what our customers can expect from a Mercedes in this segment,” Källenius also said in the release.

“The modular platform allows for maximum flexibility: We can offer the CLA in both a state-of-the-art electric drivetrain version and a hybrid electrified combustion engine version. And our operating system, MB.OS will make it the most intelligent car we’ve ever built,” he concluded.