In just some weeks I’m going to Austria to do plenty of issues within the Alps with Mercedes-Benz, one in all which can be a winter testing trip 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 outdoors 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 mentioned there could be no manner 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 bit of camouflage, the CLA’s headlights have a distinguished LED cluster formed like Mercedes’ brand. Whilst you can’t actually inform from the pictures and video, the taillights will too, and the star lights gained’t simply be reserved for the electrical model of the CLA.
That’s proper, I mentioned electrical model. The third-gen CLA rides on Mercedes’ new MMA compact automobile platform, which will even underpin the next-gen GLA and GLB, and it was designed as an electric-first platform in thoughts — meaning Mercedes centered on making a implausible EV after which adapting plug-in hybrid combustion powertrains to the platform, as an alternative of the opposite manner round that sometimes ends in 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 can be illuminated just like the idea. The remainder of the design appears killer identical to the idea, with a very modern roofline and frameless doorways.
“Though I’m a petrolhead, I favor the electrical automobile,” Källenius says as he takes the electrical CLA onto the take a look at observe, commenting on how easy 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 contains 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 can 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 very new software program stack and infotainment system designed in-house by Mercedes, referred to as MB OS. It is going to embody an superior AI voice assistant and mainly any function you possibly can consider, Källenius says, and the CLA will even be the primary manufacturing Mercedes to debut a pillar-to-pillar display screen, 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 mentioned the Idea CLA may add 250 miles of vary in quarter-hour, and that it will have a spread 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 learn about Mercedes’ next-gen compact automobiles and EV powertrains? I’ll discover out every thing I can subsequent month.
