Mercedes has revealed the first teaser images of its new mid-range electric car. Image: Mercedes
Baby Benz with extra range: The new Mercedes CLA will be launched in early 2025 – for the first time as an electric car.
October 16, 2024 20:29October 16, 2024 20:49
Markus Abrahamczyk/t-online
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The days of the current Mercedes CLA are numbered: its successor will roll off the production lines from early 2025. It marks the start of a full range of electric entry-level models from the luxury brand. It is the first car based on the new Mercedes Modular Architecture (MMA).
Focus on coverage and efficiency
The new CLA will set new standards in its class: Mercedes promises a range of more than 750 kilometers on a single battery charge (90 kWh) (according to WLTP measurement standards). Electricity consumption per 100 kilometers is approximately 12 kWh. In daily life, a cruising range between 600 and 675 kilometers should be more realistic.
Among other things, improved heat pumps help save energy. Its purpose is to protect the battery in winter while effectively heating the car interior. This makes the CLA a real long-distance ace.
The electric CLA is available as a coupe, a coupe with hatchback (shooting brake) and an SUV.Image: Mercedes
The new MMA platform supports 800-volt technology, enabling particularly fast charging of up to 250 kilowatts: approximately 400 kilometers of energy can be stored in just 15 minutes. The CLA also comes with bi-directional charging. The drive is provided by a so-called permanent magnet synchronous motor, which uses almost no rare earths. Rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive are available, with outputs ranging from 200 horsepower to more than 500 horsepower.
The CLA range will include four variants: A coupe, a Safari (hatchback) and two SUVs, including another coupe.
This is what design research will look like in 2023. The production version will be visually close to the research version.
Image: Mercedes
What are rare earths?
The group consists of 17 special metals characterized by their soft consistency and silvery sheen. Despite their name, they are actually not uncommon in the Earth's crust, but are often difficult to obtain. Although they were found in Sweden, most of them come from China. Their importance to modern technology is enormous: they are used in smartphones, electric cars, and many other high-tech products.
Digital cockpit and new operating system
The interior is dominated by a “consistent” display, which is actually made up of three screens. It stretches from one A-pillar to the other and integrates a display behind the steering wheel, central information in the middle and additional screens for front-seat passengers. The new MB.OS operating system promises over-the-air updates and smart voice control.
This is what the cockpit looks like in the new CLA design study. The screen will also appear in production models in a similar way. Image: Mercedes
The electric CLA will be launched by the end of this year and will be available to dealers in early 2025. The base price in Germany should be around 45,000 euros – an increase of around 5,000 euros from before. Prices in Switzerland are not yet known.
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