Mercedes-Benz Unveils the Concept CLA Class: A Glimpse into the Electric Future
September 15 2023,
The Mercedes-Benz Concept CLA Class, recently showcased at IAA Mobility 2023 in Munich, Germany, offers a near-production preview into an entirely new family of electric vehicles. Serving as the brand's vanguard for a new electric era, the concept vehicle operates on the forthcoming Mercedes-Benz Modular Architecture (MMA), a platform designed to reduce the value-chain CO2 emissions by more than 40%.
The electric drivetrain aims to redefine efficiency, claiming a range of over 750 kilometres under the WLTP testing protocol. Energy consumption is reported at approximately 12 kWh/100 km (5.2 mi/kWh), positioning the concept as an "electric hypermiler." To facilitate quick recharging, the vehicle employs an 800V system capable of adding up to 400 kilometres (248 miles) of range in a mere 15 minutes.
Interior-wise, the vehicle comes equipped with the new Mercedes-Benz Operating System (MB.OS). Utilizing supercomputing and AI, MB.OS aims to set new benchmarks in personalization, safety, convenience, and autonomous driving features. The car also includes a Child Presence Detection (CPD) safety system to prevent children from being accidentally left inside during hot weather.
Aesthetic elements such as low-energy LED lights, complete with an animated star pattern, and an expansive glass roof are also featured, elevating the vehicle's overall design. In addition, the interior focuses on using sustainable materials, ranging from CO2-reduced aluminum to sustainably sourced leather upholstery and paper trim.
According to Ola Källenius, Chief Executive Officer of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, the Concept CLA Class is "the forerunner for an entirely new all-electric segment of entry-level vehicles at Mercedes-Benz," and is part of the brand’s Ambition 2039 to achieve net carbon neutrality across its new vehicle fleet. The concept vehicle anticipates a range of four new models—a four-door coupe, a shooting brake, and two SUVs—all underpinned by the MMA platform.
With its state-of-the-art features and focus on sustainability, the Mercedes-Benz Concept CLA Class is poised to be a cornerstone in Mercedes-Benz's future electric strategy. It blends high efficiency with an array of technological advances to offer a preview of what could be the next step in the automaker’s journey towards a sustainable, electric future.
