Mercedes CLA EV Concept is going to be a new rival for Tesla Model 3. Mercedes CLA long-range EV is ready to plunge into the already popular EV market Mercedes after teasing us for the past few months. It unveiled the highly anticipated Concept CLA-Class electric sedan at IAA Mobility on Sunday. It’s based on the new, scalable MMA platform which can also be used to fit vehicles in other segments.
Mercedes-Benz has revealed a “close-to-production” Concept version of its debut of the next-generation CLA-Class EV at this year’s Munich motor show. Mercedes CLA EV Concept is powered by a single rear-mounted electric motor producing 175kW of power, which is mated to a two-speed transmission. Mercedes-Benz claims the Concept CLA Class has an “anticipated” range of more than 750km according to WLTP testing, with claimed energy consumption of around 12kWh per 100km. For context, the Tesla Model 3 RWD has a claimed energy consumption of 13.4kWh per 100km.
Mercedes-Benz’s Commitment to Electric Mobility
The CLA-Class EV debut is an “electric first” clean-sheet design utilizing the new Mercedes-Benz Modular Architecture (MMA) that was conceived to support entry-level EVs. Mercedes CLA EV Concept does appear exactly as you might expect a next-generation CLA-class to look. Its approximate 185-inch length is about the same as the current CLA, which measures 184.6 inches. The Concept features a broad stance and six-spoke 21-inch wheels, shod with 255/35R-21 front and 285/30R-21 rear tires.
Mercedes electric vehicle details
Mercedes electric vehicle details were revealed. The company says Mercedes CLA long-range EV’s electric drive unit is “directly” derived from the wild Vision EQXX from last year.
The Mercedes CLA Concept is the new “one-liter car” thanks to its advanced efficiency, enabling over 466 miles (750 km) WLTP range. It will be the first of the brand’s CLA-Class EV debut.
Mercedes CLA long-range EV will be the first to use Mercedes’ next-gen Modular Architecture (MMA) platform. The nickname given to the Mercedes CLA EV Concept its “one-liter car” nickname.
Meet the new Mercedes CLA long-range EV
Mercedes has been teasing a new class of entry-level EVs for several months now. Last month, we learned it would be a high-tech replacement for the gas-powered CLA, sidestepping the brand’s “EQ” branding. Production of the new electric luxury car will commence in late 2024, according to representatives, which suggests the final product will be out by 2025 in the U.S. market.
The new Mercedes CLA EV Concept “marks a new era” and the next step in the brand’s unique design evolution. From the first look, the model looks similar to the gas-powered version but with a distinctive style.
Mercedes says it has incorporated design elements that “have become icons in their own right,” reimagining them for the electric age. Mercedes designers applied the brand’s signature three-pointed star throughout the Mercedes CLA EV Concept.
CLA EV specifications, unique selling points
The Mercedes CLA EV Concept power comes from a single rear-mounted permanent magnet synchronous motor that makes 235-hp, using MB.EDU (Mercedes-Benz Electric Drive Unit) technology from the Vision EQXX Concept that requires “close to zero percent” rare-earth materials. This electric motor is fed by a battery pack with an undisclosed capacity.
The Concept CLA Class has an 800V electrical architecture which is claimed to add 400km of range in just 15 minutes of charging.
The electric sedan Concept also has bi-directional charging capability, in the form of vehicle-to-home (V2H) and vehicle-to-grid (V2G).
The entry-level version will use lithium-iron phosphate. This will likely result in a battery with a lower kWh rating and less range. Still, with some 400 miles at the top end, it’s likely to be a compelling number.
Mercedes CLA EV Concept may have a transverse blister atop the roof just above the windshield. This rounded hump houses sensors that will enable Level 3 automated driving at some point during the car’s production life.
Mercedes CLA long-range EV also has an EQXX-inspired MBUX Superscreen that dominates the interior because it is the de facto dashboard that spans the entire cabin.
Challenges and Future Outlook
The major challenge faced by the EV is the limited charging infrastructure, range anxiety and most importantly high initial cost. This cost difference is primarily due to the expensive battery technology used in EVs.
Gorden Wagener, Chief Design Officer of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, explained, “The Concept CLA Class marks the start of a new era.” He added, “It reinterprets iconic elements of the brand’s rich design heritage to craft a whole new face of Mercedes-Benz.”
More details pertaining to the actual CLA production car will arrive in the coming months. What do you lose with the entry-level battery? How much power will the AWD version make? What about the gas engine versions? More to the point: what will it cost? That information is months away, but the CLA class does occupy the lower rungs of Mercedes-Benz’s price ladder. Mercedes is moving their EV offerings into much-appreciated territory.
Future lineups
Overall, the Concept CLA-Class EV showcases Mercedes-Benz’s commitment to electric mobility, with its sleek design, impressive range, and advanced technology. As the automaker continues to innovate in the EV space, we can expect to see more electrified models in its lineup in the coming years.
