Mercedes’ most compact EV is set to be its most efficient and effective. The new CLA, which is due to be launched in 2025 will be able to cover 466 miles on a full charge according the European WLTP measure.
What’s more the CLA will use 800-volt architecture to enable ultra-rapid charging at up to 320 kW. Mercedes says that with the right DC charger up to 186 miles of range can be added in just ten minutes, making cross-continent road trips a reality.
The car’s range and charging capability have already been put to the test at the Nardo high-speed test facility in Italy, where a CLA prototype just set a new record by covering 2309 miles in 24 hours. The ground-breaking run required 40 ten-minute pit stops and was done at a furious pace, rather than an energy-saving speed. Over the 24 hours the CLA averaged 96.2 mph. Deduct the nearly seven hours spent plugged in and the on-track velocity was a whopping 133 mph.
This impressive feat was made possible by a significant number of improvements to Mercedes EV systems combined with a new MMA architecture. The 85 kW battery pack uses silicon oxide and graphite anodes which improves energy density by 20 per cent, while reducing raw materials, while new in-house designed electric motors enable a battery-to-wheel efficiency of 93 per cent. As standard theres a rear-mounted 200 kW electric drive unit deploying a permanently-excited synchronous motor, while 4MATIC models also get an 80 kW unit on the front axle. Both feature a silicon carbide inverter that was pioneered on the Vision EQXX concept car.
For those who still remain unconvinced by full electrification the CLA will also come in hybrid form, combining a novel 1.5-litre combustion engine with a 20 kW electric motor. The ICE unit is said to be 17 per cent lighter than Mercedes’ current lightest four-pot and it features a unique design that sees the exhaust manifold housed within the cylinder head. The gearbox, electric motor and inverter are integrated in a single unit. In top spec the hybrid CLA will have a maximum combined output of 214 bhp.
Prices and availability will be revealed soon when Mercedes also removes the camouflage from its new EV standard-bearer.
