Update (November 28, 2024): ‘Specifications’ updated.
Mercedes-Benz is developing a new pure-electric compact car that would be more efficient, range-focused, and perhaps cheaper than the EQA SUV. Previewed by the Mercedes Concept CLA Class, it could set several benchmarks in the segment. Here’s what we know:
Design
In August 2023, spy pictures and videos revealed several interesting design details, and then on September 3, 2023, in Munich, the Concept CLA Class was unveiled as an early preview at IAA 2023.
The Mercedes CLA Electric will have an low, wide, and athletic stance. At the front, it features angry-eye-like circular headlamps with the star-shaped daytime running lights, similar to the concept. A concave nose section with a new star-studded faux grille panel (optional) and a functional lower air intake would be positioned below these lights.
Thus, the face of the car should look quite aggressive, like that of a shark. Lastly, it’s possible that the A-shaped grille’s star inserts will glow, perhaps with softly changing brightness for realism, when the car is stationary.
On the sides, in addition to the extra-slippery roofline, precise joints, and shut lines, we expect powerful wheel arches, 20-inch wheels, and flush-fitted door handles to be among the design highlights. We expect a short rear deck and a swoopy rear overhang to also add to the car’s sporty styling. The rear windows will be slightly bigger than on the current CLA, so passengers in the back will be able to enjoy a little more of the scenery.
At the rear, we expect a ducktail spoiler integrated into the trunk lid, a convex rear bumper, and circular lights with star-shaped clusters, imitating the look of the headlights.
Interior
‘Curved Ultrawide Display’ with new tech features
The Mercedes CLA Electric’s interior will be highly digital, as seen in most recent Mercedes-Benz models, especially in EVs. The CLA Electric will be the brand’s first model to be available with MBUX Superscreen, a low-cost version of MBUX Hyperscreen seen on bigger electric Mercs like the EQS, engineered for compact models. This will be an optional feature, with basic variants expected to feature a simpler dashboard layout.
MBUX Superscreen integrates three horizontal displays seamlessly beneath one glass surface, without transitions or bumps. These displays could be mini-LED panels with thousands of local dimming zones. The passenger display would allow the front passenger to use third-party video streaming services while traveling. Eye-tracking and various other safety technologies will ensure the driver doesn’t get distracted by that. Rear headroom and rear knee room are expected to be better compared to the gas-powered second-gen CLA.
The electronics of the CLA Electric, both system and in-cabin, would run on the Mercedes-Benz Operating System (MB.OS). Developed in-house, the new software “will perfectly link the vehicles with the cloud and the IoT, and comprise four central domains: Powertrain, Autonomous Driving, Infotainment, and Body & Comfort Systems,” Dr. Michael Hafner, Vice President MB.OS Base Layer & MBUX, Mercedes-Benz, said in an internal interview. The car should have a slew of eco-friendly materials on the inside, such as a biotechnology-based and certified-vegan silk-like fabric and a paper material made from recycled cellulose.
MBUX Surround Navigation
The Mercedes CLA Electric should feature the company’s new built-in 3D navigation system, called ‘MBUX Surround Navigation.’ It shows a real-world view of the vehicle’s surroundings and adjusts accordingly to the vehicle’s movements. In addition to the route, it displays the surrounding vehicles, cyclists, pedestrians close to the roadside, potential hazards, and nearby buildings and other infrastructure. It should make judging the vehicle’s distance from surroundings and predicting next driving actions easy, especially in busy metros like New York and Los Angeles.
Specifications
Platform
The Mercedes CLA Electric will debut the company’s electric-first MMA platform, the centerpiece of which is a skateboard chassis. Mercedes-Benz designed the floor assembly, including the corresponding drive and chassis components, mainly for electric cars.
Performance
Along with the MMA platform, the CLA Electric debuts Mercedes-Benz’s new-generation Electric Drive Unit (EDU 2.0). The company developed the new powertrain entirely in-house and says it is extraordinarily compact, which helps it create more cabin space and trunk volume. EDU 2.0 is the main drive unit and powers the rear wheels, which makes the CLA Electric a predominantly rear-wheel drive car.
The EDU 2.0 houses power electronics featuring a silicon carbide (SiC) inverter for high efficiency, a two-speed transmission with an 11:1-ratio first gear and 5:1-ratio second gear, and a permanent magnet synchronous motor with barely any heavy rare earths – close to 0%, and 200 kW (268 hp) of power.
Optionally, Mercedes-Benz will offer an AWD configuration with a second drive unit, although Mercedes-Benz hasn’t confirmed if this will be an in-house system, let alone EDU 2.0. The company has confirmed that the inverter of the front drive unit will also be equipped with an SiC inverter. The motor inside this drive unit is also a permanent magnet synchronous unit but with only 80 kW (107 hp) of power. It provides a boost function and a Disconnect Unit (DCU) decouples it when it is not required, reducing energy consumption. The twin-motor CLA electric can achieve a top speed of 210 km/h (130 mph).
One-pedal driving
The CLA Electric will have four recuperation levels – D Car (auto), D+ (disabled), D (up to 1 m/s2), and D- (up to 3 m/s2) and Mercedes-Benz estimates it will recuperate up to 200 kW. The car won’t need to apply mechanical brakes in nearly all normal braking operations. It will be able to slow down to 0 mph solely with recuperation, meaning customers will have the convenience of one-pedal driving.
Heat pump
Mercedes-Benz will equip the CLA Electric with an air-to-air heat pump instead of a conventional unit that takes an indirect route via a water circuit. The new heat pump will reuse waste heat from the EDU 2.0, the battery pack, and the ambient air to heat the cabin when needed.
Range and charging
Mercedes-Benz will offer the CLA Electric with a 58 kWh (net) LFP battery pack and an 85 kWh (net) NMC battery pack. The former’s energy density is 450 Wh/l, while the latter is far better in this regard – 680 Wh/l. The company guarantees the energy storage capacity of the battery pack will not fall below 70% for 8 years/160,000 km (99,419 miles), whichever comes first.
In Europe, Mercedes-Benz estimates the CLA Electric with the NMC battery pack will consume just around 12 kWh/100 km (12 kWh/62 mi) and travel over 750 km (466 miles) on a full charge, both as per WLTP. With a battery-to-wheel efficiency of 93% on long journeys, it expects an outstanding range in the real world.
Mercedes-Benz has yet to reveal the peak charging input of the LFP battery pack. As for the NMC battery pack, which operates at 800 volts, customers will be able to charge it up to 320 kW and add up to 36 kWh in just ten minutes. In Europe, the company will give two options for the AC on-board charger – 11 kW and 22 kW. It plans to introduce vehicle-to-home (V2H) and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) bidirectional charging functions at a later stage.
Mercedes-AMG CLA Electric
At the Mercedes CLA Preview in Immendingen, Germany, Ola Källenius, CEO, Mercedes-Benz Group, sneakily confirmed the AMG variant. In response to host Sarah Harman’s enthusiasm during a lively track session, he remarked, “This is not even the AMG version.” Accelerating out of a corner, he added, “Imagine what that’s going to feel like.”
The Mercedes-AMG CLA Electric is expected with a 536 hp twin-motor powertrain, sportier bumpers and wheels, and an exclusive rear spoiler, it would draw performance enthusiasts. It should come with sports seats and a different multifunction steering wheel, too, not to forget a few additional menus on the screens to make/display variant-specific driving adjustments.
Level 2++ Autonomous driving features
In the same report, JESMB says that Mercedes’s market analysis has shown that there is currently no market for the Level 3 system in the entry segment. For Level 3 approval, the braking, electrical system, radar, steering, lidar, and camera systems would have to be upgraded. This increases costs and is currently not aligned with Mercedes’ entry segment, adds JESMB.
Instead of Level 3, the company is likely to start with a highly-developed Level 2++ system featuring comfort functions on the CLA Electric. WardsAuto had said in its exclusive report, filed on May 31, 2024, that the new CLA would use lidar-based sensors and high-definition mapping to offer hands-off point-to-point autonomous driving in city conditions. It’s not fully autonomous, as the driver would have to take control of the steering wheel in the case of the system activating visual and audio warnings.
Release Date & Manufacturing
The most intelligent car that they’ve (Mercedes engineers) ever made, supercomputer on board, sensors everywhere, Artificial Intelligence-based software..it feels like this is the complete package.
Ola Källenius, CEO, Mercedes-Benz Group, at the Mercedes CLA Preview in Immendingen, Germany
The production-ready Mercedes CLA Electric will celebrate its world premiere in 2025. The U.S. launch should take place the same year. The company has confirmed that the Mercedes-Benz plant in Rastatt (Germany) will begin producing the MMA models from the middle of the decade. The North American market should source the CLA Class from this center.
Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake Electric
Since the CLA’s inception early last decade, it has been a tradition for the lineup to include a Shooting Brake. The practical long-roof derivative will follow it in the third generation, securing its space in the three-pointed star’s shrinking compact car lineup. The redesigned, third-gen estate will be available as an EV. The first-ever Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake Electric could start arriving in dealerships in 2026.
TopElectricSUV says
We’re expecting the Mercedes CLA Electric as a four-door coupe offering a sleek and stylish design, high levels of aerodynamic and energy efficiency, and an impressive driving range that sends range anxiety into the history books! Expect prices to begin at around USD 50,000 in the U.S.
Also Read: Next-gen Mercedes GLA Electric/EQA (2025): All the details
Mercedes CLA Electric FAQs
What is the Mercedes CLA Electric release date?
The Mercedes CLA Electric should start arriving at U.S. dealers in 2025.
What will be the Mercedes CLA Electric price?
The CLA Electric is expected to start at around USD 50,000.
Which cars will be Mercedes CLA Electric rivals?
The CLA Electric would rival variants of the Tesla Model 3 & Polestar 2.
Featured Image Source: Mercedes-Benz
International Automotive News Editor since 2014, covering global motor shows, industry events, and test-driving various vehicles, with a focus on hybrid and electric cars in recent years.
