In just some weeks I’m going to Austria to do a whole lot of issues within the Alps with Mercedes-Benz, one in every of which shall be a winter testing journey alongside within the upcoming third-generation CLA. As that automobile inches nearer to manufacturing Mercedes has launched a video that includes CEO Ola Källenius driving the brand new CLA across the firm’s Immendingen take a look at facility exterior Stuttgart, Germany. The video and accompanying press launch have given us some new particulars concerning the automobile, however I’m most enthusiastic about the star-shaped headlights.
When the Idea CLA debuted final September, everybody stated there can be no means its three-pointed star headlights and taillights would make it to manufacturing. Ha! Ye of little religion. Because the video’s host Sarah Harman reveals when she takes off a chunk of camouflage, the CLA’s headlights have a distinguished LED cluster formed like Mercedes’ brand. Whilst you can’t actually inform from the photographs and video, the taillights will too, and the star lights received’t simply be reserved for the electrical model of the CLA.
That’s proper, I stated electrical model. The third-gen CLA rides on Mercedes’ new MMA compact automobile platform, which may also underpin the next-gen GLA and GLB, and it was designed as an electric-first platform in thoughts — which means Mercedes targeted on making a improbable EV after which adapting plug-in hybrid combustion powertrains to the platform, as an alternative of the opposite means round that sometimes leads to extra compromised EVs. Each electrical and PHEV variations of the CLA ought to look just about the identical, aside from a blocked-off grille that I hope shall be illuminated just like the idea. The remainder of the design seems killer identical to the idea, with a very glossy roofline and frameless doorways.
“Though I’m a petrolhead, I desire the electrical automobile,” Källenius says as he takes the electrical CLA onto the take a look at observe, commenting on how clean and quiet it’s and the way good the dealing with is and all of that typical stuff. The CLA’s electrical powertrain was designed from the bottom up, and it’s already been utilized by the record-setting EQXX prototype. It encompasses a two-speed transmission that Kallenius says lets the automobile be “extraordinarily environment friendly in any respect driving speeds,” including that Mercedes “can completely calibrate how the electrical motor works.” He additionally confirms that there shall be an AMG model of the electrical CLA, which I noticed testing at Immendingen earlier this summer season with an enormous ducktail spoiler on the again.
Different options of the brand new CLA embody a totally new software program stack and infotainment system designed in-house by Mercedes, referred to as MB OS. It’ll embody an superior AI voice assistant and principally any function you may consider, Källenius says, and the CLA may also be the primary manufacturing Mercedes to debut a pillar-to-pillar display, like on the idea. The nerd in me observed new energy seat controls, which I’m enthusiastic about.
On the finish of the video they plug within the CLA, and whereas Källenius doesn’t say precise charging speeds, he says the CLA’s “high-powered charging system” makes charging “extremely quick, virtually like fueling.” Mercedes stated the Idea CLA may add 250 miles of vary in quarter-hour, and that it might have a variety of over 450 miles (on the European cycle), each of which the manufacturing mannequin ought to obtain.
Mercedes says the brand new CLA will debut in 2025; my guess is at CES in January. What do you wish to find out about Mercedes’ next-gen compact automobiles and EV powertrains? I’ll discover out all the things I can subsequent month.
