Big pressure on the future electric Mercedes CLA

Don’t worry, the model without camouflage should be prettier to look at…

While BMW now manages to sell a significant share of electric cars and Audi limits the damage in this area, Mercedes-Benz is unable to increase its sales of models without thermal engines. Over the first half of 2024, their sales even fell by 25% compared to the same period of the previous year while the range has expanded.

This is why the arrival of the new electric Cla is eagerly awaited from the star manufacturer. The third generation of the model, inaugurating the new multi-energy “MMA” platform, will exist in a thermal version but also in a 100% electric variant. The latter will allow the choice between batteries of 58 or 85 kWh capacity, promising a very significant maximum autonomy (around 750 km WLTP) thanks also to a very good level of efficiency. The car will be equipped with an electric motor of 272 horsepower installed on the rear axle, with a second 107 horsepower engine on the front axle for high-end 4×4 versions. Unlike Mercedes’ current electric models, it will also benefit from an 800-volt architecture to accelerate its direct current charging, with 320 kW maximum power dump for the 85 kWh battery (which will also be barely heavier than the 58 kWh battery (496 kg compared to 484).

Several heat engines

In addition to the 2.0-liter turbo engine made in China that we recently talked about, the CLA will also be able to count on a 1.5-liter four-cylinder turbo gasoline unit developing 136, 163 or 190 horsepower with a 48-volt hybridization system. . Note that this thermal CLA will by default be traction (4×4 optional) and not propulsion like the electric version. It must be officially presented in the coming days.