Next Mercedes-Benz CLA to be available as EV or hybrid

The automaker announced that upcoming compact car will ride on a platform that can handle electric or internal combustion engine drivetrains.

Mercedes-Benz CLA in camouflage — *Mercedes-Benz is developing the next CLA Class car. – Mercedes-Benz AG photo*

Mercedes-Benz released details about its upcoming CLA Class compact car, and potential buyers will have the availability of either electric or gas-burning versions.

The upcoming CLA, expected to launch for the 2026 model year, will sit on the new Mercedes-Benz modular architecture (MMA). The platform allows for both electric or internal combustion engine drivetrains, and the CLA will be available in both.

Electric vehicle version

The electric drive unit (EDU 2.0) in the CLA features an 800-volt system silicon carbide (SiC) inverter.

The electric drive unit has an output of 200 kW (268 hp) sending power to the rear axle, while 4MATIC models will have an additional 80-kW (107 hp) drive unit on the front axle, also equipped with an SiC inverter.

The main drive motor on the rear axle also benefits from a two-speed transmission to improve efficiency and driving performance.

MMA electric drivetrain — *The MMA platform will be available with an electric drivetrain. – Mercedes-Benz AG photo*

The system can also decouple the front electric motor when the load is low for greater efficiency. Mercedes-Benz says this reduces front axle losses by 90 per cent, and therefore increases the car’s driving range.

Customers will also have a choice of cell chemistries, though it’s not clear if both of these will come to Canada. The premium version will have 85 kWh of energy. With silicon oxide added to the graphite, the new batteries are said to have up to 20 per cent more energy density than previous batteries.

Mercedes-Benz is aiming for a WLTP range of more than 750 kilometres.

Entry-level versions of the car would have a lithium ion phosphate cathode battery with 58 kWh of energy.

The automaker took a CLA prototype that is said to be close to production and was able to drive 3,717 kilometres in 24 hours at the Nardò test track in southern Italy. This included time to stop for charging.

Mercedes-Benz said when using DC fast charging, the car can add up to 300 kilometres of range in 10 minutes of charging.

Gas-burning version

MMA hybrid drivetrain — *The MMA platform can also handle a four-cylinder engine. – Mercedes-Benz AG photo*

The gas-burning version of the car will feature a 48-volt hybrid system.

The hybrid models will launch shortly after the all-electric models, the automaker says.

The hybrid models will feature an electric motor with up to 20 kW of drive power, allowing the vehicle to drive on all-electric power at urban (or inner-city) speeds, while electric coasting at speeds up to approximately 100 km/h will also be possible. Mercedes-Benz didn’t provide figures but says this setup makes the powertrain particularly efficient.

The newly designed 48-volt lithium-ion battery will have a capacity of 1.3 kWh. It features a compact design with the battery cells integrated with the DC/DC converter in what’s called a flat pack.

The electric motor and inverter are integrated into a new electrified eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, operating with a new 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder gas-burning engine. The powertrain can recuperate energy in all eight gears.

Mercedes-Benz said there would be three power levels available to start, with provisional ratings of 100, 120 or 140 kW (134, 161 or 188 hp).

The hybrid models will be available in front-wheel drive or 4MATIC all-wheel drive.

Other uses for the platform

Mercedes-Benz says the MMA is versatile and flexible, and the automaker is planning four vehicle models in total for this platform, including the CLA as a sedan and a shooting brake (wagon) as well as two SUVs.

“As the inventor of the automobile, Mercedes-Benz has always been a pioneer of ground-breaking drive systems. We recently proved this with the record-breaking Vision EQXX technology program. With the upcoming MMA vehicles, we are now making this visionary technology available to our customers and getting ever closer to the idea of the one-litre vehicle of the electric age. Our new hybrid drive with electric transmission is also setting new standards in terms of efficiency. With the new CLA and the other vehicles based on the MMA architecture, all customers will benefit from efficient technology at the highest level,” said Markus Schäfer, chief technology officer, development and procurement, in a news release.

Expect more details to emerge as vehicles get closer to production.