Presentation of the Mercedes CLA EQ: The first with more excitement
The CLA represents a great leap forward for Mercedes in terms of technology and is associated with many hopes. It makes other models look old.
(Image: Mercedes)
Manufacturers are not hesitant when it comes to proclaiming historic days. They are quick to talk about "new eras", "radical new beginnings" or even "quantum leaps". The next Mercedes CLA is set to be just that. That is why, for some time now, a small glimpse of the technology has been provided from time to time in carefully portioned morsels. This is now a thing of the past: Mercedes is not only showing the final design, but also providing a few important key figures.
800 volts
This much can already be said: they are pretty impressive. The CLA uses the new "Mercedes Modular Architecture" (MMA) platform, which, with a voltage level of 800 volts, potentially allows significantly higher charging capacities. Mercedes promises up to 320 kW with the larger of two planned batteries. Electricity for up to 300 km should be recharged in ten minutes. On the one hand, both formulate the ideal case; on the other hand, this information refers to the conditions in the WLTP.
The globally restrained demand for electric cars from Mercedes is forcing the brand to make significant improvements in some areas – and, as far as can be determined from the key data, this is the case. For the version with a large battery and rear-wheel drive, a consumption of 12.2 to 14.1 kWh/100 km is stated in the cycle. If a range of 300 km in the cycle is to be recharged in 10 minutes, this means an average charging power of just under 220 kW – as a minimum in this window.
Two electric drives - for the time being
In addition to several mild hybrid petrol engines, two battery-electric drives are initially planned. Both will have an 85 kWh battery, with a smaller 58 kWh storage unit to follow. Models with even more power will also follow. The figures are already known:
| CLA 250+ EQ | CLA 350 4matic EQ | |
| Battery energy | 85 kWh | |
| Charging power DC | 320 kW | |
| Range | 790 km | 770 km |
| Consumption in WLTP | 12,2 bis 14,1 kWh | |
| Performance | 200 kW | 260 kW |
| Torque | 335 Nm | 515 Nm |
| Drive | Rear-Wheel | All-wheel |
From the consumption figures and range promises, it is easy to see that Mercedes must have put a lot of work into efficiency. With the EQXX study a few years ago, the Group already indicated that ever larger batteries were not the only way to increase range. The CLA is undoubtedly helped by a comparatively small frontal area and technical tricks such as the two-speed gearbox on the rear axle. The synchronous motor delivers its power over an incredibly wide speed range compared to a combustion engine, but even here there are limits beyond which power consumption increases. Porsche is installing a two-speed gearbox in the Taycan to improve driving performance, while Mercedes is likely to focus primarily on even greater efficiency.
Alternative drives: mild hybrid petrol engine
Contrary to initial assumptions, the CLA will once again be powered by combustion engines from the M252 series. Behind this is a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with a 48-volt mild hybrid. The engine series will initially be launched on the market with 100, 120 and 140 kW, and the CLA will probably get all of these versions. Mercedes relies on the Miller combustion process. This means that the intake valves close earlier than normal, which should increase efficiency. The compression ratio is 12:1 and a dual-clutch transmission with eight gears is always fitted as standard, with the 20 kW e-motor flange-mounted to the side. The battery with an energy content of 1.3 kWh serves as a buffer so that the combustion engine can be operated as often as possible close to its best efficiency.
The internal classification will be interesting. The CLA and C-Class were already close in terms of external dimensions, but differed technically with front-wheel drive and dual-clutch transmission on the one hand and rear-wheel drive and torque converter automatic transmission on the other. Now they are getting closer in this respect too. As an electric car, the primary drive in the 4.72 m long CLA EQ is at the rear, so an expected C-Class with electric drive will have to set itself apart in other ways. The Mercedes EQE, which is only slightly larger but has no chance against the CLA in terms of range and charging power, will also have a tough time.
MB.OS operating system
The new CLA will be the first Mercedes to be equipped with the new MB.OS operating system. Mercedes promises to offer a new level of safety, comfort and automated driving with "supercomputing and artificial intelligence". Because Mercedes was by no means badly positioned in this respect with the previous MBUX, it will be interesting to see what comes next. Mercedes will almost certainly also expand the business after the purchase - be it with apps or vehicle functions that can be subsequently activated for a fee.
Mercedes CLA innen (7 Bilder)
Mercedes
)The fact that Mercedes is stubbornly holding on to a few things is likely to annoy some prospective buyers. The fiddly touch surfaces on the steering wheel have also made it into this model, as have the door handles that only extend most of the time. My colleague Clemens Gleich already found annoying on the otherwise very successful E-Class, for example. The huge glass roof comes as standard; it cannot even be opened as an option. At 405 liters, the rear luggage compartment is ridiculously small in relation to the exterior dimensions. By way of comparison, the trunk of a VW Polo is just 55 liters smaller. In the CLA with sole rear-wheel drive, however, the compartment under the front hood is comparatively large at 101 liters.
Outlook
Mercedes has not yet said how much the CLA will cost. As expected, the brand will not condescend to a price war. We expect the base model with battery-electric drive to cost around 50,000 euros, with a combustion engine it is likely to start at around 42,000 euros. Some competitors with similarly sized electric cars start well below what we are forecasting for the CLA EQ. A Tesla Model 3 currently costs at least 39,990, while a Hyundai Ioniq 6 is available from 43,900 euros. Of course, this CLA is just the beginning. Mercedes will be adding various SUVs based on the MMA platform in the coming years, and has also announced an estate car that may no longer be called that.
(mfz)