2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA EV rethinks regen braking

• The 2026 Mercedes CLA EV will get true one-pedal driving

• Mercedes put a concentrate on effectivity and vitality recuperation with the CLA EV

• Mercedes hasn’t stated how a lot the 2026 CLA EV will price; it debuts in 2025

Up till now, many automakers have chosen to dial again regenerative braking in EVs due to considerations over stability on slick roads. 

Mercedes-Benz is breaking from that considering in its future EVs, beginning with the next-generation system that can debut in future EVs beginning with the CLA EV. 

Throughout a short journey in a 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA EV prototype within the Austrian Alps, Timo Stegmaier, senior supervisor of electrical drive methods for Mercedes, and Tom Steller, a spokesperson for the automaker, demonstrated the next-gen EV’s braking and propulsion methods in near-whiteout blizzard circumstances. 

Right here’s what I discovered.

2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA EV prototype

2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA EV focuses on one-pedal driving

The Mercedes crew emphasised that it’s heard suggestions from clients and media alike, loud and clear, concerning the EQE and EQS EV’s braking methods and their shifting friction level and unpredictably different pedal really feel. 

They began out as a number of the worst brakes available on the market and have, by way of software program updates, turn into…acceptable. That received’t be the case with the CLA EV, I used to be informed. In November Mercedes engineers confirmed to Inexperienced Automobile Experiences the brake pedal within the CLA EV won’t ever transfer until the driving force touches it.

The CLA EV could have three regenerative braking modes together with D-, D, and D+. A fourth bonus mode will probably be D Auto. Full one-pedal max regen kicks in with D- mode, which we used all the prototype drive, and the others subsequently reduce the regen. 

D Auto mode mechanically adjusts the regenerative braking system for the circumstances. Within the 2025 Mercedes-Benz E 53 Hybrid, as an illustration, it’s tied into the adaptive cruise management and security methods to be totally variable. It’s not constant or predictable. However it’s unclear as of but how D Auto works within the CLA EV.

2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA EV prototype

The mountain roads had been coated in blowing snow over black ice. Regardless of how shortly Stegmaier chosen probably the most aggressive brake regen with D-, and let off the accelerator, however the Michelin Alpin 5 winter tires by no means appeared to interrupt traction. The regenerative braking system used the next-gen MMA electrical structure’s PCUs and ECUs to react instantaneously and regulate accordingly. The automobile pointed straight underneath braking and mid-turn didn’t change composure. Very spectacular. Some people aren’t this easy in these circumstances.

For reference, Snow or Winter or Slippery Circumstances drive modes in virtually all EVs on sale at present sometimes scale back or disable regenerative braking. That is to make sure the tires don’t break traction and the automobile stays steady on slippery surfaces. 

A Mercedes spokesperson informed GCR that Stegmaier’s suggestion to make use of max recuperation in slippery circumstances is particular to the CLA EV due to its use of next-gen sensors. The system within the CLA is designed to mechanically regulate to highway circumstances, optimizing security and effectivity instantaneously. From what I noticed it did simply that. 

The EQE and EQS lineup use totally different platforms, electrical architectures, and sensor packages together with management methods and software program. These present EVs handle traction and braking behaviour in another way, and aren’t as centered on maximizing recuperation or effectivity in actual time.

The CLA’s able to 200 kw of recuperation earlier than partaking the friction brakes. Stegmaier informed me that the CLA EV prototype by no means used the friction brakes throughout our drive. Spectacular.

That vitality goes again into the 85.0-kwh (usable) battery pack by way of an 800-volt electrical structure. Mercedes stated fast-charging will high out at 320 kw and the CLA EV will probably be able to including 186 miles of vary in 10 minutes. That’s beginning out at a ten% state of cost, and interprets to roughly 36 kwh of vitality. Charging from 10-80% will take lower than 22 minutes. There can even be an 11.0-kwh onboard charger for Stage 2 AC charging.

2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA EV prototype

2026 CLA EV feels fast, comfy, and planted

When Stegmaier put the accelerator to the ground the tires didn’t spin. The CLA EV prototype merely shot ahead, however given the circumstances the engineer didn’t hold the pedal buried lengthy. The automobile remained pointing ahead regardless of the slippery floor, I did not see the steering wheel tug in both course, and seemingly, the electronics adjusted energy in actual time for the circumstances.

The twin-motor prototype has Mercedes’ new EDU 2.0 (Digital Drive Unit 2.0) {hardware} underneath its steel pores and skin, together with silicon-carbide inverters. The rear motor is a 268-hp synchronous motor (PSM) paired with a 107-hp motor up entrance. I couldn’t understand if the entrance motor was on or off, however given the circumstances it’s onerous to think about it wasn’t engaged more often than not.

Mercedes hasn’t talked about efficiency, however a 0-60 mph time within the low 4-second vary appears about proper. Single-motor fashions will certainly be slower and warmer AMG fashions absolutely faster.

Aside from the one switchback nook Stegmaier purposely hung the tail out throughout, it felt from the passenger seat that torque was saved underneath management partly by mushy inputs from the driving force. 

The brand new in-house-designed 2-speed computerized transmission could have shifted into second gear to melt torque supply. The unit is able to staying in first gear as much as 68 mph, however it’s variable primarily based on circumstances and wishes. It was easy and with the blizzard there was quite a bit to soak up shortly.

The prototype rode on a standard (non-active) suspension, which was comfy, compliant, and managed. Stegmaier wouldn’t discuss particulars and didn’t point out whether or not greater trims or AMG fashions would provide adaptive dampers, however the prototype I rode in was as comfy, if no more so, because the bigger C300 I had simply piloted.

2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA EV prototype

2026 Mercedes-Benz EV charts its personal course

The outside of the CLA EV was fully coated in camo, however it clearly regarded just like the idea that previewed the next-gen EV In 2023. Proper all the way down to stars within the LED head and taillights.

Contained in the dashboard and door panels had been coated in black fabric. Kindly, Mercedes requested me to not touch upon what little I noticed or touched. However I can say the dashboard appears to be fully totally different than at present’s EQE and EQS lineup. The high-mounted yacht-like setup is gone. The dashboard appears to be brief and tight up towards the cowl. It jogged my memory of the Mercedes 190E and W126 S-Class from the ‘80s and ‘90s, and even the G-Class of at present.

Mercedes didn’t let me behind the wheel of the CLA, and my time each in and round it was temporary. Nonetheless, what I noticed, skilled, and felt proved Mercedes has listened to suggestions about its present EVs, is concentrated on effectivity, and goals to make the 2026 CLA EV the place to begin for its next-gen electrical automobiles. 

Mercedes-Benz paid for journey, lodging, and was shocked I wasn’t chilly throughout a blizzard to carry you this first-hand evaluate.