New Mercedes-Benz CLA to Offer EV and Hybrid Variants, Cutting-Edge Tech
Mercedes‑Benz is busy working on the next generation of its entry-level sedan, the CLA. Development is ramping up as the global premiere will take place sometime in 2025, with sales in Canada to begin for the 2026 model year.
This week, the automaker shared a bit more information about the upcoming CLA, which obviously remains under camouflage, from the Immendingen test facility in Germany.
- Also: CES 2024: Mercedes-Benz Shows Off CLA Concept, New AI Virtual Assistant
- Also: Mercedes-Benz Concept CLA Previews Small EV With Big Dreams
This will be the first of an all-new family of cars, heralding a new chapter for the entry segment at Mercedes‑Benz, according to CEO Ola Källenius, who said the CLA is designed to set new standards in range, efficiency, and charging speed.
“With the CLA, we are ushering in a new era at Mercedes‑Benz,” he continued. “We will substantially elevate every aspect of what our customers can expect from a Mercedes in this segment.”
Based on a new modular platform, the future CLA will offer both electric and hybrid variants. Without getting into specifics, Källenius explained that the former will incorporate technology from the EQXX concept that completed a trip of more than 1,000 km with a single charge back in April 2022. It will also feature a two-speed transmission (similar to the Porsche Taycan) ensuring “a perfect balance of sporty performance and efficiency.”
As an alternative, the CLA will also be available with a newly developed, high-tech hybrid system, utilizing 48V technology combined with a new electrified transmission. Little else is known about that powertrain for now.
Inside the new CLA, which Källenius described as “the most intelligent car we’ve ever built,” the brand new MB.OS will make its debut in a Mercedes-Benz, enhancing the car-driver relationship with natural, intuitive interaction and proactive support through an AI-powered MBUX Virtual Assistant.
As for the design, we expect it to closely resemble the Concept CLA that was unveiled in September 2023, including the distinctive headlights reproducing the three-pointed star logo. The pictures of the camouflaged prototype also hint at a very aerodynamic silhouette.
You can find out more in the following video:
