- Mercedes will launch a third-generation CLA coupe-like sedan subsequent yr and that is our first take a look at the manufacturing mannequin.
- The producer confirmed a frivolously camouflaged CLA at an occasion in France.
- The prototype appeared to have two flaps on its rear haunches, suggesting it is a plug-in hybrid.
Mercedes-Benz will substitute the CLA sedan with an all-new technology subsequent yr. It will turn into the third technology CLA and can doubtless be a plug-in-only automobile with both plug-in hybrid or totally electrical powertrains.
The Idea CLA Class design research, which was proven in 2023, gave us a good suggestion of what to anticipate however now Mercedes is lastly giving us a peek on the closing manufacturing mannequin set to reach subsequent yr. It’s nonetheless hidden by camouflage, however we are able to make out its physique form, proportions and different particulars from the pictures.
Mercedes teased the upcoming CLA in the course of the Pageant d’Hyères in France, the place it had a prototype that’s doubtless for the upcoming plug-in hybrid variant. We imagine it’s the PHEV as a result of it has two flaps on its rear fenders; presumably one is hiding the charging port and the opposite the gasoline filler cap.
7 Pictures
Mercedes-Benz
Whether it is certainly the PHEV, then it doesn’t want a lot frontal cooling—the complete entrance finish is roofed up and solely a small a part of the entrance fascia permits air by way of.
The CLA’s design doesn’t maintain any surprises. Between earlier generations, the CLA idea and the producer’s latest fashions, which function its newest design language, we now have a fairly good concept of what it’s going to appear like.
Its aspect profile is immediately recognizable as a “four-door coupe” silhouette, though the roofline doesn’t dip in direction of the rear fairly as dramatically as within the present mannequin. This can be as a result of Mercedes gained’t provide an A-Class sedan to go along with the brand new CLA, which implies the latter might want to fill the house left within the vary by its extra sensible three-box brother.
Even by way of the camouflage, we are able to see that the brand new CLA could have a little bit of a snout, a form not too dissimilar from a Tesla Mannequin Y or the pre-facelift Mannequin 3. It’s going to more than likely have a pretend grille with a typical Mercedes sample, however with the camouflage on, it does look a bit like a Tesla.
The rear appears comparable in form to the outdated CLA, however with a taillight design that’s nearer to the brand new CLE coupe. Curiously, despite the fact that we suspect this camouflaged prototype was the PHEV variant, we don’t see an exhaust underneath the rear bumper. We all know Mercedes locations the exhaust additional behind the sting of the rear bumper in its newest fashions, which may very well be the explanation why it’s not seen.
What makes the upcoming CLA attention-grabbing isn’t its design, which is simply an evolution of what we’ve seen earlier than. It’s what’s underneath the pores and skin that’s necessary: the MMA 800-volt platform, which guarantees to make the electrical CLA one of the crucial environment friendly EVs obtainable. Mercedes says it should use 12 kWh/100 km on common, which is roughly 5.2 miles/kWh and extra environment friendly than the present effectivity champ, the Lucid Air Pure.
It will likely be in a position so as to add 248 miles (400 km) of vary in quarter-hour, and Mercedes expects it to have a WLTP vary of as much as 466 miles (750 km). With these sorts of numbers, the CLA won’t solely be certainly one of the longest-range EVs in the marketplace but additionally amongst these with the best charging energy.
