Upcoming Mercedes-Benz CLA: Key facts in brief

STUTTGART:  The next Mercedes-Benz CLA is the first example of intelligent modularity in the upper compact segment.

Customers will be able to choose the CLA in one of two versions - a highly efficient electric car or an economical hybrid.

Here are some key points about the upcoming model.

#Electric drive: The new drivetrain incorporates many years of Mercedes-Benz engineering excellence. The electric drive unit (Electric Drive Unit - EDU 2.0) of the upcoming all-electric MMA (Mercedes-Benz modular architecture) models represents the first manifestation of a new generation of electric drive units from Mercedes-Benz.

At the same time, it brings the drive technology of the VISION EQXX with 800-volt system and silicon carbide (SiC) inverter to the compact class.

The compact, 200kW electric drive unit with a permanently excited synchronous motor (PSM) on the rear axle was developed entirely in-house by Mercedes-Benz engineers.

The high-performance power electronics are equipped with a SiC inverter for particularly efficient energy usage. In addition, the 4MATIC models have an 80kW drive unit on the front axle, also equipped with an SiC inverter.

#Efficiency: The bottom line is that the electric drive, as demonstrated in the Concept CLA Class, aims for a WLTP range of over 750km. With battery-to-wheel efficiency of 93% on long journeys, it also offers outstanding ranges in real-world operation.

The two-speed gearbox on the main drive at the rear axle not only boosts efficiency, but also enables highly dynamic driving performance.

#Charging: Mercedes-Benz is using an 800-volt electric architecture for the first time. In conjunction with the premium version of the battery, this configuration enables high-power DC charging at up to 320 kW. In the Concept CLA Class, this would correspond to a range of up to 300km (provisional).

#Battery: Customers can choose between batteries with two different cell chemistries for the MMA models. The cells of the premium version with a usable energy content of 85 kWh have anodes in which silicon oxide is added to the graphite.

Compared to the predecessor battery with conventional graphite anodes, the gravimetric energy density is up to 20% higher. At cell level, the volumetric energy density of the cell chemistry is 680Wh/l. The use of raw materials has been further optimised.

#Battery safety: The battery housing is part of the vehicle structure and is integrated into the crash concept.

The battery, high-voltage (HV) cables and other HV components are designed and protected to meet the stringent safety requirements of Mercedes-Benz in the event of an accident.

Mercedes-Benz has taken comprehensive precautions against thermal runaway with technical solutions for the new battery generation.

#Endurance: Its focus on time efficiency has already earned a close-to-production prototype of the CLA a successful record drive: a pre-series model covered exactly 3,717km in 24 hours at Nardò in southern Italy.

#Electric Software Hub (ESH): The ESH, which opened in 2022, has played a key role in the development of the new generation of compact electric cars from Mercedes-Benz. This building at the Mercedes-Benz Technology Centre in Sindelfingen brings together numerous software, hardware, system integration and testing functions under one roof.

#48-volt hybrid: Shortly after the launch of the all-electric models, the CLA will be available as a hybrid with 48-volt technology and an electric motor with up to 20kW (provisional) drive power.

Thanks to energy recuperation and all-electric driving capability at urban speeds, this drivetrain is particularly efficient.

This is enhanced by electric coasting at speeds of up to around 100 km/h. The electric motor and inverter are integrated into a new electrified eight-speed dual-clutch transmission (8F-eDCT).

The combustion engine is a new FAME (Family of Modular Engines) four-cylinder petrol engine. The hybrid is initially available in three power levels at 100kW, 120kW or 140kW.