by Key Takeaways
- The new electric drive unit has a 93% battery-to-wheel efficiency.
- larger battery packs with a range of more than 466 miles.
- lessons learned from the electric concept of VISION EQXX, which broke records.
More details about Mercedes-Benz’s next CLA model have been made public. It will be built on the brand-new Mercedes-Benz Modular Architecture (MMA) and come with two battery electric powertrain options or a 1.5-liter gasoline engine.
When it goes on sale next year, Mercedes says the newest model will be among the most efficient passenger cars because it features drive technology from the record-breaking VISION EQXX, It used a single charge to go 747 miles from Stuttgart, Germany, to Silverstone, UK.
Whether you choose one of two battery-electric variants or the compact but powerful 1.5-liter gasoline engine (which is linked to a 27-bhp electric motor for optimal efficiency), it will provide the most mileage.
When in pure electric form, the EV comes with the newest electric drive unit and an 800V electrical system as standard, enabling faster charging (up to 320 kW).
The tiny unit, known as EDU 2.0, aims to achieve an overall efficiency rating of 5.2 miles per kWh and a class-leading battery-to-wheel efficiency of 93% on lengthy trips. Compared to the 2025 Lucid Air Pure, which boasts a five-mile-per-kWh rating, that is only slightly better.
The larger batteries will be able to power the CLA for around 466 miles on a single charge and will be available with either an 85kWh battery or a smaller 58kWh unit. In reference to its effective energy use, Mercedes-Benz claims that the use of silicon oxide anodes enables a higher energy density, making it “the one-liter car of the electric age.”
Although 4Matic all-wheel-drive editions will use a second 107-bhp motor on the front axle for better performance and grip, the aforementioned small EDU 2.0 drive unit will transmit 268-bhp to the rear wheels of the majority of cars.
By equipping the upcoming CLA with an air-to-air heat pump, which can absorb excess heat from the motor, battery, and ambient air to heat the cabin, Mercedes engineers have furthered the concept of maximum efficiency. In contrast, the Vision EQXX does all the heavy lifting in cooler areas using an energy-sucking HVAC system.
The forthcoming CLA will be one of the first electric cars to have both CCS charging ports and the Tesla Supercharger-friendly NACS in a single stacked configuration on the right side of the vehicle, according to Inside EVs.
Customers in North America will now be able to utilize the Tesla Supercharger network, which has more than 50,000 stations with a maximum capacity of 250 kW, making it the largest fast-charging network in the United States.
Although Mercedes has previously stated that it intends the CLA to be an “entry-level” car rather than a luxury offering, there is presently no information on pricing or an official release date for the German automaker’s forthcoming model.
