The highly efficient all-electric Concept CLA Class, boasting a stated range exceeding 750 kilometers, will feature the Superscreen, offer 250kW charging, and include a 536bhp AMG version.
This electric CLA successor marks the beginning of a fresh series of entry-level luxury vehicles from Mercedes-Benz. It introduces a brand-new approach to exterior and interior design and debuts Mercedes’ latest operating system. The production of the all-electric CLA, utilizing the new MMA platform, is scheduled for 2025, and there’s a possibility of it being launched in India during the same year. Mercedes emphasizes that the production version will closely resemble the concept with minimal alterations.
Previews of next-gen electric drive technology
Mercedes-Benz has introduced the Concept CLA, showcasing advanced electric-drive technology for their future production electric vehicles (EVs). This technology is directly adapted from the Vision EQXX and boasts an impressive range of over 750 kilometers with an energy consumption rate of about 12 kWh per 100 kilometers. Mercedes-Benz dubs it the ‘one-litre car for the electric age,’ drawing a parallel with internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles that consume less than one liter of fuel per 100 kilometers.
The concept features an 800 V electric architecture, allowing for 250 kW DC charging, which can provide up to 400 kilometers of range in just 15 minutes. Buyers can opt for two different battery cell chemistries, with higher-end versions featuring an anode design containing silicon-oxide content, while the base model utilizes lithium-iron phosphate.
Powering the vehicle is a 235hp permanently excited synchronous machine paired with a two-speed transmission. Remarkably, it weighs only 110kg and boasts an energy efficiency of up to 93 percent, from the battery to the wheels, during long-distance driving.
The MMA platform is primarily designed for electric propulsion but can also accommodate combustion engine drivetrains. The concept CLA Class is configured for rear-wheel drive, but the powertrain’s modular design makes it adaptable for all-wheel drive setups.
Furthermore, the Concept CLA Class comes equipped with bi-directional charging capabilities, hinting that the production version will be capable of performing tasks such as vehicle-to-home (V2H), vehicle-to-grid (V2G), and vehicle-to-appliance (V2A) functions.