The CLA sedan launches in electric form, with hybrids and a new version of firing brake to follow
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- Mercedes has introduced the third generation CLA, which will offer hybrid and electric powertrain.
- The electric versions offer up to 349 hp as well as the WLTP between 418 and 492 miles.
- The exterior design is scalable, but the cabin opts for a heavy minimalist aesthetic on screens.
The Mercedes CLA helped pass the pioneer of the affordable four -door coupe and now the model enters its third generation. Although design is not too much departure, it is not your father’s CLA.
This is immediately apparent because the new electrical variants have a “radiant facial panel” which replaces the traditional grille with a single bar. It has an illuminated star emblem as well as 142 mini-stars lit individually.
Plus: Mercedes teasing baby g-class, electric class E, and more
Buyers will also find swept headlights that are connected by an illuminated thin strip. The LED headlights are standard, but the optional Multibam LED headlights are remarkable to have a daylight signature in the form of the Mercedes-Benz star.
Although the front will probably prove to be division, the rest of the car is more familiar. It presents a rationalized body, available to the available hunting door handles and a cutting -edge trail coefficient from the class from 0.21.
Elsewhere, the designers have installed star rear lights and aerodynamically optimized wheels ranging from 17 to 19 inch sizes. Customers will also find a multitude of options, including AMG Line, AMG Line Plus and Night Packages.
As for most new vehicles, the Mercedes CLA increased in size. The model now measures 185.9 inches (4,722 mm) long, which represents an increase of 1.6 inches (41 mm). Access is up 2.4 inch (61 mm) to 109.8 inches (2,789 mm) and this offers a little more space for the front legs. However, the already tight rear seat sees a decrease in the legs to 33.6 inches (853 mm).
A soulless interior focused on screens and AI
Remember how cool and revolutionary Mercedes CLS was? Its elegant mixture of fluid wooden garnish and elegant leather was unforgettable.
Compare this to the new CLA and it looks like a soulless transport pod. Mercedes opted for a minimalist design and it is not terribly remarkable except for the MBUX Superscreen available, which consists of a group of digital instruments of 10.25 inch, a 14 -inch infotainment system and a 14 -inch front passenger screen. Customers who do not pony in the additional dough will be treated with an “garnish element with a star graphic” to remind them of their cheap.
We will learn the complete details of the equipment closer to the launch, but Mercedes said that all the models will be equipped with a sport steering wheel wrapped in leather, heated seats with electric fronts, a panoramic fixed glass roof and an air conditioning system with a single area. Customers will also find brushed aluminum, open pore wood or “anthracite anodized gold”.
While the leg space is a mixed bag, Mercedes noted that the CLA EV has a fruit which contains 2.5 cubic feet (71 liters) of freight. It is above the 14.3 cubic feet of the trunk (405 liters) of luggage space.
To return to the screens, the CLA manages the brand new Mercedes-Benz operating system. It is essentially the fourth generation of the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system and uses the artificial intelligence of Microsoft and Google.
Mercedes has repeatedly hammered the Home point and the noted customers will find a new MBUX virtual assistant who “transforms the relationship between the vehicle and the driver” thanks to a generative AI. This assistant is presented as a “living avatar” which takes the form of a Mercedes star.
Speaking of AI, the system uses Chatgpt4o and Microsoft Bing as well as Google Gemini. The latter focuses on navigation issues and it is because “the Navigation experience of the CLA is based on Google Maps”.
Two electric motorcycle groups at launch, hybrids to follow
At the launch, there will be two electric variants known as CLA 250+ with EQ technology and the CLA 350 4Matic with EQ technology. While the two have terrible names, the CLA 250+ has a rear mounted engine developing 268 hp (200 kW / 272 PS) and 247 lb-ft (335 nm) of torque. This allows the model to accelerate from 0 to 60 MPH (0-96 km / h) in about 6.6 seconds, before hitting an electronically limited top speed of 130 MPH (209 km / h). Customers can also expect a WLTP beach of 431-492 Miles (694-792 km).
The CLA 350 4MATIC with EQ technology is positioned as a performance variant and it has a double-engine all-wheel drive system producing a combined output of 349 hp (260 kW / 354 PS) and 380 LB-PI (515 nm) of torque. Thanks to additional punch and traction, 60 MPH (96 km / h) are in 4.8 seconds. While the top speed remains unchanged, the beach falls at 418-479 miles (672-771 km).
The two have an 85 kWh lithium-ion battery and an 800-volt electrical architecture which allows rapid continuous power capacity up to 320 kW. This means that a ten -minute load can provide up to 202 miles (325 km) of range.
Electric vehicles will be followed by a hybrid variant because Mercedes customers are not ready to be fully electric. The automaker did not say much, but confirmed that there would be two outings as well as the front transmission and all the wheels. The models will have a 1.5 -liter four -cylinder petrol engine, a 1.3 kWh battery, 48 -volt technology and an electric motor integrated into an eight -speed double clutch transmission.
