Mercedes-Benz has revealed the highly anticipated electric CLA’s powertrain technology, showcasing a blend of innovative EV advancements and design flexibility.
Positioned as a trailblazer for Mercedes’ future entry-level vehicles, the CLA will debut on the new Mercedes-Benz Modular Architecture (MMA) platform, promising unparalleled efficiency.
Though Mercedes-Benz keeps the A-Class lineage longer than initially anticipated, the plans to add some game-changing electrification technology in the lower range haven’t been axed.
The strategy is spearheaded by the upcoming CLA, slated for late next year. It has been developed as an electric first but will still be offered with mild hybrid petrol.
In-house developed electric drive
For the battery-powered version, Mercedes targets unprecedented efficiency, with the CLA aiming for energy consumption as low as 12 kWh per 100 kilometers. This figure surpasses the current benchmark set by Tesla’s competitor, the Model 3 (at 13.2 kWh).
The record-setting efficiency stems from Mercedes’ in-house-developed Electric Drive Unit 2.0 (EDU 2.0), paired with innovative two-speed transmission technology to optimize performance across speed ranges.
The compact EDU 2.0 rear motor delivers up to 268 hp, with all-wheel-drive variants adding a 107-hp front motor for peak performance. Disconnecting technology allows the front motor to decouple when unnecessary, maximizing efficiency.
According to Mercedes, it reduces friction on the front axle by 90%. These enhancements align with Mercedes’ EQXX concept learnings, which achieved a record 1,010 kilometers on a single charge.
Powertrain variants and battery choices
The CLA will feature two innovative battery options: an 85 kWh silicon oxide battery developed with Sila Nanotechnologies, which has a 20% higher energy density than the current generation of battery packs and offers a WLTP range of up to 750 km.
Dedicated markets will also receive a 58 kWh LFP battery (lithium-ferro-phosphate), a cost-efficient alternative known for durability and sustainable mineral sourcing. However, it has slightly lower energy density and cold-weather performance.
Both batteries benefit from an 800-volt architecture, a first for Mercedes, which supports fast charging speeds up to 320 kW. The premium battery can add a 300 km range in just ten minutes, and a broad charging curve ensures high power delivery even when the battery isn’t nearly empty.
In a nod to practicality, the CLA will uniquely include both CCS and NACS charging ports for flexibility, adopting Tesla’s Supercharger standard as a factory fit. The MMA platform’s fast-charging prowess has already proven itself, as a pre-production CLA covered 3,717 kilometers in 24 hours at the Nardò test track in Italy—averaging 154 km/hour, including charging time.
High-performance hybrid options
In addition to the BEV option, Mercedes has also engineered a sophisticated 48-volt hybrid system. The newly developed ultra-compact 1.5-liter four-cylinder Miller-cycle engine will be paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission and a 27-hp electric motor.
The mild hybrid delivers up to 188 hp, with efficiency approaching diesel levels—though Mercedes still has to homologate the engine. The hybrid CLA boasts a 1.3-kWh lithium-ion battery supporting short all-electric drives and regenerative braking of up to 25 kW. In many respects, the CLA heralds a new stage in Mercedes’ electrification journey.
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