Mercedes-Benz Concept CLA-Class Previews Next-Gen CLA EV

New Mercedes-Benz Concept CLA-Class debuts ahead of its planned showcase during IAA Munich 2023.

Ahead of this week’s IAA Munich 2023 show, Mercedes-Benz has unwrapped its highly anticipated new compact EV saloon concept early. Christened as the Mercedes-Benz Concept CLA-Class, the high-tech and all-electric replacement to the CLA-Class is set to rival against the Tesla Model 3.

Based on the Mercedes Modular Architecture (MMA) platform, the Concept CLA-Class is one of four models planned based on said architecture, which is a versatile, dual-purpose design aimed at facilitating the three-point star’s shift to electric power. Besides this saloon, the next-gen CLA Shooting Brake, as well as the GLA and GLB crossovers, will also spawn out of which too.

Apart from the striking, star-spangled wheels and grille, the Concept CLA-Class still sports a familiar four-door, fastback design like the current (outgoing) CLA model.

In terms of design, the concept’s exterior builds on the look of the current CLA with a more contemporary-looking front sporting a lower-set black panel grille with an illuminated three-point star emblem. Redesigned LED headlights plus connecting light bar accentuates the new car's width on top of giving it a distinct night-time look.

Like the current CLA, which is a four-door fastback coupe, the doors feature frameless windows too. At the rear, the sleek, coupe-like roofline remains with a steeper windscreen angle to give it a sleeker look. There are now more pronounced haunches over the rear wheels too that bolsters its overall stance. Capping things off here is a full-width all-LED taillight featuring the three-point star graphic.

On board, the Concept CLA-Class sees its cabin brimmed with the EQXX concept's full-width
MBUX Superscreen.

Harnessing a new chip-to-cloud architecture with support for various embedded apps, this MBUX Superscreen will be a norm in future models starting with the road-going version of the Concept CLA-Class.

On board, the Concept CLA-Class adopts a full-width MBUX Superscreen setup mirroring the EQXX concept’s here. Featuring a new chip-to-cloud architecture with support for various embedded apps including Google Maps navigation, this tech will be included in all future models starting with this Concept CLA-Class’ eventual road-going version.

Also showcased in this concept is a new Lidar-based Level 3 autonomous driving assistance system. Initially, the model with be limited to Level 2 autonomy, but Mercedes seeks to offer regular over-the-air software updates, which in turn grants customers the ability to purchase or subscribe to Level 3 capabilities in the future.

Underpinning the brand's MMA platform, both ICE and EV powertrains will be available in the road-going version of the Concept CLA-Class.

Mercedes plans for the eventual production-bound version of this concept to have both combustion and electric powertrain choices available, accompanied by rear- (RWD) and all-wheel-drive (AWD) options, depending on which market it enters. Notably, it will harness a new type of electric motor that was first developed through the EQXX and produced in house.

Each weighing less than 110 KG with a higher 93% battery-to-wheel energy efficiency, the compact asynchronous unit develops 235 HP and drives the rear wheels via a 2-speed transmission. An entry-level 201 HP version is also planned, as is a a hotter dual-motor AMG-badged performance flagship. The latter promises outputs as high as 536 HP when it debuts in 2025.

Up to 750 KM in WLTP range is promised, as is 250 kW DC rapid-charging support plus V2H, V2G, and V2A abilities through the concept's new 800-volt architecture.

Moreover, Mercedes notes that its third EV saloon after the EQS and EQE will also offer the choice between an all-new lithium iron phosphate (LFP) with a pioneering new construction, and Lithium-Nickel-Manganese-Cobalt-Oxide (NMC) battery types. Sources online report these will boast capacities between 58 kWh and 85 kWh.

The LFP unit mentioned sees its cell modules held in place with adhesive instead of screws, thus reducing both weight and space.

More details are expected once the Concept CLA-Class is showcased in full during IAA Munich 2023 later this week.

Crucially, the Concept CLA-Class will be the first Mercedes EV to support an 800-volt architecture, allowing it to handle rapid DC charging inputs as high as 250 kW, allowing 399 KM of travel attained through just 15-minutes of charging. As for range, Mercedes claims the most efficient guises promises up to 750 KM (WLTP). In contrast, the rivalling Tesla Model 3 Long Range boasts a 614 KM WLTP max range figure.

Bi-directional charging abilities comes next, hinting vehicle-to-home (V2H), -grid (V2G), and -appliance (V2A) abilities.

Expect more details once the concept is properly presented on stage during IAA Munich 2023 later this week.