As Mercedes-Benz gears up for the introduction of the next-generation CLA, they’re revealing more information on the upcoming model, including details about its advanced powertrain options.
Mercedes-Benz has made it a point that this new CLA has been developed from the beginning with full electrification in mind. The new CLA will arrive with the brand’s new Electric Drive Unit 2.0, a system that Mercedes has developed entirely in-house.
Two versions will be offered; a single-motor version of the new CLA will feature an RWD configuration with the motor mounted over the rear axle, producing a respectable 268 hp.
A 4Matic AWD version adds a second, smaller motor over the front wheel, increasing total system hp by 107 hp for a total of 375. In this configuration, the front motor serves as a sort of boost mode, engaging when needed but not always propelling the front wheels. Mercedes has developed a disconnect unit capable of decoupling the front electric motor from the front axle to help increase the upcoming EV’s efficiency while at speed. This AWD version will be able to hit a top speed of 130 mph.
Both versions will feature a new two-speed transmission. The first gear will be used up to 68 mph while the second gear engages at higher speeds to aid in efficiency. Mercedes says they have tuned this transmission for comfort and smoothness, with drivers likely unable to notice the shift between the two gears while in motion.
The next-gen CLA will arrive with a choice of two new batteries, a smaller 58 kWh lithium iron phosphate pack, and a larger “premium” lithium-ion battery featuring 85 kWh of usable energy. Mercedes is aiming for 466 miles of range on the notoriously generous European WLTP testing cycle for this larger battery.
The larger premium battery is also built around an 800-volt architecture capable of supporting DC fast charging speeds up to 320 kW per hour. Mercedes mentioned that it will be able to add up to 186 miles of range in as little as ten minutes on a properly capable charger.
Mercedes-Benz had previously announced they would be migrating to the NACS charging standard in the US, and this upcoming CLA will be the first model to feature it. In an effort to make charging as easy as possible during this transition period, Mercedes has seen fit to equip the CLA with both a NACS and a CCS plug so owners won’t have to go through the trouble of dealing with adaptors. This arrangement sounds like a very convenient, perhaps even luxurious, solution to the issue.
A new regenerative braking system has also been developed for the new CLA, which, unlike the current EQE and EQS models, will not move the brake pedal on its own. This should result in a much smoother, easier-to-modulate one-pedal driving experience. Drivers will be able to select from four different levels of regenerative braking, with the vehicle remembering the last selected setting for each drive so users won’t need to re-select it every time.
Those not ready to make the leap into a fully electric vehicle will be happy to know the next-gen CLA will also be offered with an advanced 48-volt hybrid powertrain. This hybrid system will feature a new 1.5-lt four-cylinder Miller-cycle engine. This new powerplant will be mated to an equally new eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission that features an integrated 27-hp electric motor and inverter that works in tandem with a 1.3 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. The standard version of the next-gen CLA hybrid will be FWD, with 4Matic AWD as an option.
Mercedes also released additional camouflaged photos that show a vehicle with a design that is very much in line with the styling of the CLA Class concept shown last year. This includes a sleek, four-door coupe shape with three-pointed star headlight detailing and other slick detailing.
Mercedes-Benz will reveal more information on the upcoming next-gen CLA as it prepares it to go on sale sometime in 2025.
