VM Report: On the Road in the Mercedes CLA - Tesla with Star and 800 Volt

The electric models that have come from Mercedes so far have not been hits. The makeshift crossover Mercedes EQC was long ago discontinued, and the hybrid models EQA / EQB have not nearly thrilled Mercedes enthusiasts as much as comparable combustion models, and even the flagship models EQE and EQS – whether sedan or SUV – are struggling more than expected. It's no wonder that Mercedes CEO Ola Källenius can hardly wait to invite you for a brisk test drive in the new Mercedes CLA. Currently, on the heavily secured test grounds in Immendingen, a heavily camouflaged prototype, yet despite the adhesive and matting exterior and interior, it's a vehicle meant to show that Mercedes has finally arrived in electromobility. The new CLA is presented as the start of a stylish star quartet, aiming to make the once-limited platforms, moderate charging technology, and missing noble charm in the interior, a thing of the past.

Close to the IAA concept: And that's a good thing

In addition to the Mercedes CLA with a length of around 4.75 meters, the sister models GLA, GLB, and a CLA Shooting Brake are to follow, based on the technical foundation of the flexible MMA platform (Mercedes Modular Architecture). Design and proportions are largely identical to the IAA concept, and this also applies to the technical data framework. Electric drive on the rear axle, stronger versions with all-wheel e-power, a standard consumption of a maximum of twelve kilowatt-hours per 100 kilometers, and a range of up to 750 kilometers until the next charging stop.

No charging hesitation: Finally with 800-volt technology

The success of an electric model is decided not only by the vehicle class and price but especially by recharging. Finally, there is the overdue 800-volt technology, which makes the battery pack in the flat floor of the new CLA significantly more impressive than before. The target is 400 kilometers in 15 minutes, aimed at enticing even the most devoted petrol fans to make the switch to the plug-in world.

“Everything we promised at the premiere of the concept at the IAA in Munich last fall, we aim to fulfill or surpass,” Källenius states dryly, pointing out that the central components were developed in-house.
 

Backdoor: Available as a combustion engine upon customer request

But Ola Källenius and his chief developer Axel Heix also point out that the time is not yet ripe for a complete transition to electromobility. Many countries demand combustion engines, and that is unlikely to change for the time being. Thus, the Mercedes CLA is also available with a combustion engine upon customer request, which then drives the front axle, as the modifications to the platform would otherwise have been too extensive. Customers have the choice with the entry-level family with the star, whether electric drive or a four-cylinder petrol engine, which will be added in 2026. Efficient diesel engines, however, have been dropped, manual gearboxes are already passé, and then there is the new petrol engine. Although Mercedes developed the turbo engine in-house, it is produced by the Chinese cooperation partner Geely. This will send a chill down the spine of hardcore Daimler fans. However, the current models of the A-Class, CLA, and others were often powered by a 1.3-liter engine from cooperation partner Renault-Nissan.

Screen for me: Screen Across the Cockpit

We are on the closely guarded Mercedes test track, and the Mercedes CEO seems to genuinely enjoy driving the new mid-range model as he cuts corners and follows up with a few brisk laps. The seats are comfortable, the space in the front and back more than adequate, and as standard, there is a large panoramic roof modeled after Tesla, doing without mechanical shading. Like the CLA study, the production model set to launch in mid-2025 is equipped with a screen package that stretches across the dashboard from the left to the right A-pillar. Only in the base versions do passengers look at a decorative surface; all others get a continuous display, on which a navigation system developed with Google provides crystal clear images with the most precise vehicle data. The new operating system MB.OS, countless apps, and Chat-GPT as an all-knowing conversational partner suddenly make even the big brothers E-Class and S-Class look outdated; at least until they also get the modern technology.