The 2026 Mercedes CLA-Class Is A Groundbreaking EV And Hybrid Do-Over

• Mercedes hopes that 800 volts, 320 kW charging and memorable effectivity will make the CLA successful with electrical sedan patrons.
• It can even be accessible as a non-plug-in hybrid that guarantees diesel-like ranges of effectivity.
• Mercedes plans to launch 4 fashions on the MMA platform together with a seven-seater crossover.

The final Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class was a good-looking, aerodynamic front- and all-wheel-drive sedan aimed toward bringing new prospects to the Silver Arrow model with an inexpensive price ticket and environment friendly four-cylinder engines. You in all probability would not say that it lit the world on hearth, nevertheless. That is why the arrival of a brand new CLA-Class might not sound like that huge a deal, however this time round, it is extra vital than you could initially assume.

After flying to Germany to take a look at how Mercedes created and examined the ultra-efficient new CLA, I might even go as far as to say the CLA’s electrified rebirth may develop into a modern-day W201 (190)—one thing that hits reset on what this firm is able to. It’s that vital, and loads has been poured into its improvement.

This time round, the CLA is available in all-electric or hybrid type—however not as a plug-in hybrid. It can have a Tesla-style North American Charging Customary (NACS) plug and a Mixed Charging System (CCS) one for max flexibility. It goals for nothing lower than the Lucid Air by way of EV effectivity. And the hybrid system alone is an enchanting, high-powered piece of package. 

Mercedes wants the CLA to succeed to make sure the model has a future, as issues have dramatically modified within the final 10 years. Like all established automakers from the Western hemisphere, Mercedes’ place is beneath risk from Chinese language carmakers, that are advancing at an unprecedented price and are actually seeking to increase gross sales of their more and more gifted and fascinating vehicles into the West. Tariffs is probably not sufficient to carry them again. 

Whereas in Stuttgart final week, I couldn’t assist however discover what number of Nio, BYD and Lynk & Co plug-ins I noticed within the metropolis, which is dwelling to each Mercedes-Benz and Porsche. There are nonetheless loads of vehicles from these Swabian manufacturers because the locals are fiercely loyal to them, however I used to be nonetheless stunned by what number of vehicles from China I noticed.

Mercedes additionally wants the assistance. Gross sales of its EQ-branded EVs haven’t been unbelievable as patrons did not heat as much as the cleaning soap bar-like styling; certainly, rival BMW appears to have taken the win for spherical one. However Mercedes says the CLA is proof that it is from achieved with forward-thinking electrical vehicles.

And even on its dwelling turf, Chinese language vehicles are beginning to achieve a foothold, which is why it seems Mercedes has pulled out all of the stops to make the CLA (and different autos constructed on its modular MMA platform) class-leading. It’s bought nice vary and effectivity, and with a rear-wheel-drive-biased electrical powertrain, it needs to be fairly candy to drive too.

The Platform Brings Extra Than Simply A Sedan

The CLA sedan will launch subsequent yr, and it’ll quickly be joined by a capturing brake wagon variant that’s sadly not coming to the US. Two crossovers will observe, which can function replacements for right this moment’s EQA and EQB, so one among them will possible be a seven-seater.

The MMA platform was designed to be scalable and modular, so it’s going to possible underpin extra fashions sooner or later, a few of them larger than what we at the moment find out about. Mercedes is thought to be engaged on an electrical C-Class (the following step up from the CLA within the Mercedes sedan hierarchy), which is coming in 2026.

Picture by: Mercedes-Benz

Nevertheless, even when Mercedes says it may go even larger with MMA-based autos, the electrical C-Class (and the electrical GLC) gained’t use it. These as a substitute will probably be constructed on one other bespoke EV structure known as MB.EA. This was meant to exchange the EVA2 platform utilized in the EQE and EQS, however new experiences recommend the 2 platforms may coexist for a couple of extra years.

With the AMG-EA platform that will probably be unique to AMG fashions, this may carry Mercedes’ whole variety of devoted EV platforms to 4.

Pure Electrical CLA

The MMA platform, brief for Mercedes Modular Structure, is the important thing to the CLA, and it permits for each electrical and hybrid powertrains. Mercedes isn’t planning to make plug-in hybrids on this platform, arguing that giving patrons two decisions is sufficient.

This looks like a sensible selection as a result of whereas PHEVs are nice on paper and have sure particular use instances the place they excel, utilizing them proper requires common charging, and that’s one thing many house owners simply aren’t able to decide to.

Picture by: Mercedes-Benz

With an 800-volt structure, the MMA platform has a peak charging energy of 320 kilowatts in autos geared up with NMC batteries. They will add 186 miles (320 km) of vary in simply 10 minutes if you happen to start charging at round 10% after having preconditioned the battery on the best way to the charger. Mercedes says the ten to 80% charging sprint might be accomplished in simply 22 minutes.

Due to having each CCS and NACS charging sockets, CLA EV homeowners may have a selection of plugging both right into a Tesla Supercharger community or any DC quick charger.

The 268-horsepower rear drive unit will embrace a everlasting magnet synchronous (PSM) motor and a two-speed transmission, much like the one Porsche has on the Taycan. It improves elasticity, permitting for each improved acceleration and better effectivity at excessive speeds.

Twin-motor CLA 4Matics get an extra smaller drive unit powering the entrance axle by means of a single-speed discount gear mechanism. It additionally runs a PSM and has a peak output of 107 hp, pushing the entire energy output north of 300 hp—the mixed energy determine hasn’t been launched but. Each motors might be decoupled, permitting the automotive to coast freely serving to increase effectivity in sure conditions.

With each motors engaged, the CLA EV will be capable of regenerate as much as 200 kW of power beneath deceleration.

The massive-battery CLA, which has 85 kilowatt-hours of usable capability, has as much as 466 miles (750 km) of WLTP vary. The extra inexpensive variant will function a 58-kWh LFP battery pack that ought to nonetheless get an official vary ranking of round 310 miles (500 km) WLTP. Mercedes will pair the bottom single-motor rear-wheel-drive CLA with this smaller battery, which ought to decrease its weight and maintain the effectivity excessive.

The charging energy for vehicles working LFP batteries will probably be decrease, however on condition that these even have a decrease capability, the distinction in charging time shouldn’t be vital.

The Hybrid CLA

Mercedes developed a wholly new four-cylinder engine for the hybrid model of the brand new CLA and subsequent fashions constructed on the platform.

It’s a 1.5-liter four-cylinder known as the M252, which is said to Mercedes’ bigger 3.0-liter straight-six, the M256, however its focus is solely on effectivity. It meets the stringent new EU7 emissions customary, which will probably be enforced beginning in 2026, which other than exhaust may also take tire and brake emissions under consideration.

The brand new M252 makes use of up 17% much less house than the two.0-liter engine from right this moment’s CLA, and since its electrical motor is within the gearbox, it doesn’t have an built-in starter generator like the present gentle hybrid mannequin. Powering the automotive’s 48-volt hybrid system is a small, 1.3 kWh battery situated beneath the driving force’s seat.

The hybrid CLA will probably be accessible with three energy outputs and both front- or all-wheel drive. The ability ranges are 134, 160 and 187 hp with respective torque values of 147 lb-ft (200 Nm), 184 lb-ft (250 Nm) and 221 lb-ft (300 Nm). All function the identical eight-speed dual-clutch transmission with a 27 hp motor built-in, which permits for electrical crusing (principally turning off the combustion engine and driving solely on electrical energy) at speeds of as much as 62 mph (100 km/h).

Mercedes stopped wanting offering an effectivity ranking for the hybrid, however we did hear them mentioning their intention to get it to have diesel-like consumption.

What’s Subsequent?

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We’re wanting ahead to seeing extra quickly, together with the ultimate manufacturing design. The CLA-Class is due in late 2025 as a 2026 mannequin. When it does debut, it will do for Mercedes’ EVs what the EQ vehicles to this point haven’t—all whereas providing flexibility with a really intelligent hybrid model as nicely. 

Will or not it’s successful when it makes its U.S. debut? We’ll discover out quickly sufficient.