In just some weeks I’m going to Austria to do a whole lot of issues within the Alps with Mercedes-Benz, considered one of which can be a winter testing experience alongside within the upcoming third-generation CLA. As that automotive 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 automotive, 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 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 mentioned electrical model. The third-gen CLA rides on Mercedes’ new MMA compact automotive platform, which can 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 a substitute of the opposite manner round that sometimes leads to extra compromised EVs. Each electrical and PHEV variations of the CLA ought to look just about the identical, apart from a blocked-off grille that I hope can be illuminated just like the idea. The remainder of the design appears to be like killer identical to the idea, with a extremely glossy roofline and frameless doorways.
“Despite the fact that I’m a petrolhead, I want the electrical automotive,” 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 automotive 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 time 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 would embody an superior AI voice assistant and principally any function you may consider, Källenius says, and the CLA can even be the primary manufacturing Mercedes to debut a pillar-to-pillar display screen, like on the idea. The nerd in me seen 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 need to learn about Mercedes’ next-gen compact vehicles and EV powertrains? I’ll discover out every little thing I can subsequent month.
