Partially stripped of its camouflage, the new Mercedes CLA reveals some of its secrets.

Wednesday 18th December 2024 10:08 AM

The new Mercedes Cla should have become the entry level of the star brand after the disappearance of the Mercedes A Class and Mercedes B Class of the catalog. But it recently seems that the German brand is now determined to keep the Mercedes A-Class longer than expected. in order to keep a more affordable car in its catalog.

Whatever happens, itThis new Mercedes CLA will exist in an electric version but will not abandon the thermal versions. This car is of course close to the CLA concept car presented at the Munich Motor Show in 2023, except for certain elements like the large full grille decorated with stars (the standard one is less imposing), the light strips on the sides which disappear, etc.

Little by little, the Mercedes CLA is peeling away and showing a good part of its bodywork, as well as its panoramic glass roof.

There are few differences between electric and thermal

The Mercedes CLA pictured is a model equipped with an internal combustion engine. Between the electric and thermal versions, the differences will be limited to a specific grille for the battery version. For the rest, the general shape of the model will be the same between all versions. On the photographed prototype, we can see that the limited camouflage makes it possible to clearly see the side glazing of this car as well as the doors equipped with flush handles.

For the moment the interior is still secret, but it could be inspired by the style of that of the Vision EQQX concept car which was unveiled in 2022. A concept which could drive 1,000 km on electric without recharging.

An announced autonomy of more than 750 km for electric

The Mercedes CLA inaugurates the new MMA platform (Mercedes-Benz Modular Architecture) which is intended for the manufacturer’s compact and family models. If this technical base is designed to adopt electric motors (with an 800 V architecture), it is multi-energy and can adapt more easily to different markets and regulations. For the electric CLA, Mercedes is already announcing consumption of less than 12 kWh/100 km and a range of more than 750 km with the largest capacity battery (85 kWh).

Like many manufacturers, Mercedes will remain faithful to thermal engines in order to maintain a good level of production and sales. So the Mercedes CLA will also exist with a good range of thermal engines.

The CLA will be equipped with a Renault/Geely thermal engine

Regarding the thermal versions of this car, oWe know that Mercedes-AMG versions are planned, but that there are also less sporty electrified thermal versions in order to have an extended range. There will also be a 2-liter turbo unit designed by the Horse joint venture, bringing together Renault and Geely. The thermal versions will undoubtedly arrive in the second half of 2025, while the electric Mercedes CLA should be available by spring 2025 at the latest. As with previous generations of CLA, a Shooting Brake body is already planned, it could be revealed at the end of 2025.

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