Car Fule

Mercedes will carry out a major cleaning in its range in the years to come, especially in terms of compacts. The manufacturer should however continue to offer several entry-level models, with in particular a third generation of CLA which, for the first time, will be entitled to a 100% electric version. We should get a first glimpse of it via a concept car at the next Munich Motor Show to be held in September 2023.

The future electric CLA is one of four new entry-level models that Mercedes plans to launch over the next three years as part of a complete revamp of its compact range. Mercedes will go from seven compact models today to four by 2026.

A vision of luxury’s future – the VISION EQXX.​

📸 IG: rawlenses for #MBcreator​#MercedesBenz #VISIONEQXX pic.twitter.com/fV0lQW4PMK

— Mercedes-Benz USAᅠ (@MercedesBenzUSA) March 24, 2023

The thermal will still have a small place

The Mercedes CLA will be available in electric, but also with micro-hybrid thermal versions. Unlike the MB-EA platform, which will be exclusively reserved for 100% electric models and will be produced in 2025 as the basis for the next electric versions of the C-Class and the GLC, the CLA will be based on the MMA platform.

This platform is designed for both purely electric and thermal models. Ola Källenius, Mercedes boss, said of the future entry-level sedan: “It will first be electric. But that doesn’t mean it will be all-electric.”.

The MMA platform will be able to accommodate an 800-volt architecture, allowing fast charging. The first rumors evoke a power of 350 kW, enough to fill up in less than 30 minutes. Mercedes-Benz also plans to introduce a new silicon anode battery developed in partnership with Sila Nanotechnologies.

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Up to 700 km range?

The future electric Mercedes CLA could inherit a large 100 kWh battery, similar to that of the Vision EQXX concept car, giving it a range of around 700 km. It should be entitled to several versions: propulsion with a single electric block and four-wheel drive with two electric motors.

The electric motors are expected to be second generation permanent magnet synchronous blocks and they are currently known internally as ‘eATS2.0’. They will be mated to a newly developed silicon carbide inverter and will be driven by a two-speed gearbox.

Regarding thermal engines, it should be new blocks made in China jointly with the Geely group. “It will be an all-new engine designed to meet Euro 7 emission standards”, said Markus Schäfer, director of research and development at Mercedes-Benz. On the other hand, there should be no plug-in hybrid engines for the third generation of CLA.