The Mercedes-Benz CLA concept made its first appearance in India at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo in Delhi on Friday (January 17). It is also the first car to be developed on the new Mercedes Modular Architecture (MMA), which is compatible with EV and ICE powertrains. Details about the ICE derivative of the Mercedes CLA are limited, so our focus will remain on the upcoming CLA EV.
Mercedes CLA concept exterior
The next generation of the Mercedes CLA will retain its four doors with a sloping rear roofline, giving it a coupe look. Flared wheel arches at the front and back, which frame the 21-inch alloy wheels, give it a sporty stance, too. In case Mercedes phases out the A-Class sedan, the CLA could serve as an entry-level product for the luxury brand.
The front grille looks wider and blends with the bumper. However, the most striking feature is the new headlights, which incorporate the three-pointed star logo in an LED signature. A closer look at the concept also revealed a LiDAR sensor hump on the roofline just above the windshield – something we've seen recently on Xiaomi cars.
Mercedes CLA concept interior
On the inside, the new CLA concept boasts a width-wide MBUX Superscreen. The combined three screens – the instrument cluster, touchscreen, and passenger display – are identical to those seen on the EQXX concept and are run by a supercomputer that integrates artificial intelligence and machine learning.
Mercedes also claims to use eco-friendly materials throughout the cabin, such as recycled PET and paper trims. Even the door mats are woven from bamboo fibre, while the edges of the door pockets are finished in a vegan silk-like fabric.
The new CLA will offer SAE Level 2 semi-autonomous driving using LiDAR sensors, which enable hands-free car motion under certain conditions. With over-the-air updates, buyers can upgrade to Level 3 in the future. Its expansive glass roof will most probably culminate into a panoramic unit; stay tuned to find out.
Mercedes CLA battery size, range, charging speed
The official battery size of the new electric vehicle has not been released; however, Mercedes promises a range of over 750 kilometres (WLTP cycle). It is the 'one-litre' car of EVs, says the brand. Its battery has a usable energy content of 85kWh, and Mercedes claims a 93 percent efficiency for the drivetrain with an energy consumption of 12kWh/100km. The 800V system can accept DC charging of up to 320kW. This enables a top-up of up to 400 kilometres in 15 minutes with a fast charger.
In the CLA concept, the electric motor is mounted on the rear axle and paired with a two-speed transmission. However, since the MMA is AWD-compatible, Mercedes may offer a CLA 4Matic later or reserve the technology entirely for models placed higher in the line-up.
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