Mercedes-Benz promises to deliver a new electric family car next year that will be able to take a driver and their passengers from Brighton to Edinburgh without needing to stop to charge.
Called the Concept CLA and unveiled at the 2023 Munich motor show, it previews the forthcoming electric CLA which is due to be revealed in production form in the next 12 months.
The Tesla Model 3 rival is claimed to cover 466 miles on a full charge, which is enough to take you from the south-coast city to Scotland’s capital without stopping.
Mercedes previews its next electric family car: The Concept CLA Class is a near-production prototype for next year’s CLA. But, more importantly, it debuts a new platform that will drive the German brand’s shift to electrification
more videos
TOOTHBRUSH shows if motorists are still over limit the morning after
BMW invest in production factory to make new electric Minis in Oxford
Lotus Cars debuts its sleek new all-electric Emeya Hyper-GT sportscar
Mercedes-Benz unveils Concept CLA car with illuminated glass roof
Volkswagen ID.GTI, the new electric hot hatch concept car
The BMW Vision Neue Klasse signals the start of a new era
Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale is its last combustion supercar
Rolls Royce’s brand new model is the most expensive car in the world
Lamborghini Lanzador will be the brand’s first fully-electric model
Sotheby’s NYC plans to sell 1962 Ferrari GTO for an estimated $60M
Vauxhall launches a Electric Streets Initiative for electric cars
Aston Martin release new advertisement for DB12 Volante
Ola Källenius, chairman of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, says the Concept CLA Class is ‘the forerunner for an entirely new all-electric segment of entry-level vehicles at Mercedes-Benz’.
A new line-up of ‘compact’ vehicles is due to be made up of four new models – this four-door CLA coupe, a CLA Shooting Brake estate and two SUVs (likely EQA and EQB) – that all will be crammed with ‘more features, even greater comfort and safety and the most advanced technology’.
Mr Källenius describes the next-generation CLA EV as a ‘hypermiler’ with a range of more than 750 kilometres (466 miles) and it will be the first new release to use its Mercedes Modular Architecture (MAA) platform for its future electric cars to drive its ‘Ambition 2039’ target of achieving net carbon neutrality as a brand a year before 2040.
RELATED ARTICLES
Previous 1 Next 
Volkswagen ID.GTI concept is the electric spiritual… 
Five ways the electric car revolution could change the face… 
BMW’s Vision Neue Klasse concept previews the…
Share this article
Share
HOW THIS IS MONEY CAN HELP
How to save on car insurance: Ten top tips to cut the cost in just a few minutes 
‹ Slide me ›
Called the Concept CLA and unveiled at the 2023 Munich motor show, it previews the forthcoming electric CLA which is due to be revealed in production form in the next 12 months. As you can see here, the prototype’s design isn’t a big transition from the CLA model already sold in Mercedes dealers with petrol and diesel engines (pictured right)
The Tesla Model 3 rival is claimed to cover 466 miles on a full charge, which is enough to take you from Brighton to Edinburgh without stopping
Ola Källenius, chairman of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, says the Concept CLA Class is ‘the forerunner for an entirely new all-electric segment of entry-level vehicles at Mercedes-Benz’
How does its range compare to its biggest rival?
The just-updated Tesla Model 3 – due to be delivered to UK customers from early next year – has an official range of 412 miles, meaning the Merc could gazump it by at least 54 miles, if not more.
READ MORE: Tesla has upgraded the Model 3 with fresh looks, a smarter interior and longer range – here are the 10 best new features
The Concept CLA Class uses a new in-house-developed electric motor that delivers 235bhp to the rear wheels via a two-speed transmission, though Mercedes bosses promise a ‘hot’ AMG version will follow with over 500bhp from a dual-motor setup.
The CLA’s electric motors will use energy from a next-generation battery that – crucially – will see the new family car become the first Mercedes with an 800-volt electric drivetrain.
Both the electric motor and gearbox are located at the rear axle in a single housing weighing just 110kg and it features a raft of efficiency-boosting technology, including a silicon-carbide inverter that is far more energy friendly, especially at cruising speeds.
The new setup will allow for charging at up to 250kW on a rapid DC charger, which will see drivers able to add almost 250 miles (248 miles) of range by plugging in for a quarter of an hour.
The Concept CLA Class also hints that the new production EV it previews will feature bi-directional charging, meaning owners can sell electricity back to the grid via vehicle-to-grid (V2G) tech and power larger home devices using a vehicle-to-appliance (V2A) system.
However, the versatile new MMA platform also works with combustion engine models and has capacity for either rear or four-wheel drive options.
The front end gets a new lower grille made-up of hundreds of Mercedes-logo LEDs which – like the big emblem in the centre – light up, though in a range of sequences. At the rear, the lights are also in the shape of the Mercedes logo, which almost hang via a second LED light beam that extends over the rear wheel arches
The Mercedes logo is also used for the new headlights, which are connected by a light bar that runs across the width of the bonnet and curves around the front wings, stopping just under the wing mirrors on the front doors
These tiny Mercedes-Benz logo-shaped LEDs can all light up independently, while the massive three-spoke logo in the middle also glows
The coupe-like silhouette is very similar to that of the existing CLA, with frameless doors and a low swooping roofline towards the rear of the cabin sitting on top of 21-inch star-design alloy wheels
The Concept CLA Class uses a new in-house developed electric motor that delivers 235bhp to the rear wheels via a two-speed transmission, though Mercedes bosses promise a ‘hot’ AMG version will follow with over 500bhp from a dual-motor setup
While what underpins the Concept CLA Class is very much cutting edge, the styling is relatively tame by prototype vehicle standards.
The coupe-like silhouette is very similar to that of the existing CLA, with frameless doors and a starlight glass panoramic roof that slopes dramatically towards the rear of the cabin.
It sits on top 21-inch star-design alloy wheels.
The front end gets a new lower grille made-up of hundreds of Mercedes-logo LEDs which – like the big emblem in the centre – light up, though in a range of sequences.
And the logo can also be seen in the new headlights, which are connected by a light bar that runs across the width of the bonnet and curves around the front wings, stopping just under the wing mirrors on the front doors.
At the rear, the lights are also in the shape of the Mercedes logo, which almost hang via a second LED light beam that extends over the rear wheel arches.
Inside, the biggest focal point is the Concept CLA Class’ MBUX Superscreen. This sits flush inside the entirety of the dashboard and is a slightly more compact version of the ‘Hyperscreen’ in its premium EQS models
The MBUX Supercreen also debuts Mercedes’ new MB.OS operating system. The massive display flanked at each end by turbine air vents with digital readouts inside them
Sustainability is also a key feature of the interior, with the cabin using recycled paper and bamboo for some of the materials
While the concept has a two-plus-two seating layout, expect the production model to have a traditional three-passenger rear bench
In the cockpit, the biggest focal point is the MBUX Superscreen, which sits flush inside the entirety of the dashboard and is a slightly more compact version of the ‘Hyperscreen’ in Mercedes’ premium EQS models.
This debuts Mercedes’ own MB.OS operating system, with the massive display flanked at each end by turbine air vents.
READ MORE: BMW Vision Neue Klasse concept previews the next-generation electric 3 Series
While the concept has a two-plus-two seating layout, expect the production model to have a traditional three-passenger rear bench.
Sustainability is also a key feature of the interior, with the cabin using recycled paper and bamboo for some of the materials.
And it wouldn’t be a concept car if it didn’t showcase some form of self-driving tech, with the CLA Class getting Level 3 autonomy via a new Lidar-based assistance system, which could become an over-the-air update addition for owners once Level 3 is given the legal green light by governments across Europe.
The final piece of important tech is a new Child Presence Detection (CPD) system.
This isn’t to identify kids in the road ahead and apply the brakes – instead it’s a feature designed to mitigate the risk of young children who have been left inside the car during warm weather by their parents.
Mercedes must assume that some of their customers can be quite neglectful.
Sensors inside can detect breathing patterns and – if needed – will automatically turn on the air conditioning if it identifies a younger person inside overheating and panting heavily. It will also trigger the horn to notify the parent that they need to return to the vehicle immediately.
While no date has been set in stone for when the production version of the CLA will debut, when it does arrive expect prices to start in the region of £45,000 – which will put it head-to-head with Tesla’s facelifted Model 3.
VIDEO 
ELECTRIC CAR VIDEOS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Watch video 
China’s all-electric BYD Dolphin lands ashore Watch video 
BMW invest in production factory to make new electric Minis in Oxford Watch video 
Lotus Cars debuts its sleek new all-electric Emeya Hyper-GT sportscar Watch video 
Mercedes-Benz unveils Concept CLA car with illuminated glass roof Watch video 
Volkswagen ID.GTI, the new electric hot hatch concept car Watch video 
The BMW Vision Neue Klasse signals the start of a new era Watch video 
Lamborghini Lanzador will be the brand’s first fully-electric model Watch video 
Check out the incredible Pininfarina B95 electric hypercar Watch video 
Vauxhall launches a Electric Streets Initiative for electric cars Watch video 
Fisker Ronin is a super-EV car with 1000 bhp and range of 600 miles Watch video 
Caterham announce new all-electric cabriolet, the Project V Watch video 
Dacia Spring will hit UK in 2024 and will be the first ‘affordable’ EV Watch video 
Fiat unveils the new Topolino electric vehicle in promo video Watch video 
All electric Rolls Royce Spectre is a treat to drive Watch video 
Swedish company Luvly launches a flatpack electric car Watch video 
£2.1m Rimac Nevera breaks 23 acceleration records in one day Watch video 
1985 advert features the Tamiya Wild One off-road buggy Watch video 
The new MG Cyberster all-electric two-seater sports car Watch video 
Video shows Alpine’s Renault 5 Turbo-inspired EV for 2024 Watch video 
MG unveils its Cyberster electric two-seat sports car in China Watch video 
VW’s new ID.7 electric car offers up to 435 miles on a full charge Watch video 
Ford Transit Courier loved by firms will go electric next year Watch video 
Audi’s new Q8 Sportback e-tron is an electric all-wheel-drive Watch video 
Citroen release promo for new car ë-C4 X Electric Watch video 
Ford has unveiled its new ‘trailblazer’ Explorer electric SUV Watch video 
Kerbo Charge unveils self-closing cable channel for electric cars Watch video 
Volkswagen’s unveils its new ‘affordable’ electric car for 2026 Watch video 
Kia EV9 is a 7 seat electric family car with a 337-mile range Watch video 
Volkswagen upgrades its ID.3 electric hatchback due to launch in 2026 Watch video 
Nissan’s futuristic Max-Out concept convertible sports car Watch video 
Peugeot’s Inception electric car ditches the classic steering wheel Watch video 
Volkswagen previews electric family saloon car with 435 mile range Watch video 
Meet ID Buzz: Volkswagen reinvented iconic hippy campervan Watch video 
New Genesis GV60 electric SUV uses facial recognition to open doors Watch video 
Scottish start-up Munro launches their MK1 electric 4X4 Watch video 
Funky Cat an eye-catching pure-electric car from new Chinese brand Ora Watch video 
Chinese brand Ora release ad for new voice-recognition electric car Watch video 
Agile Streets: Trial of public EV smart charging begins in the UK Watch video 
Volkswagen presents its new electric vehicle: An office chair Watch video 
Volvo’s £75K electric EX90 SUV 365-mile range has been unveiled Watch video 
First fully-electric GMC Hummer EV pickup arrives on UK soil Watch video 
Lotus unveil new electric Eletre supercar to be built in Wuhan Watch video 
Rolls Royce Spectre – its first fully electric car in action Watch video 
New Rolls-Royce Spectre is its first ever fully electric car Watch video 
Polestar unveils its first zero-emission SUV with 379 miles of range Watch video 
Get to know the first fully-electric premium MPV by Mercedes-EQ Watch video 
Oli is a £22,000 electric SUV made for 100% recycled Watch video 
Xpeng G9 is ‘fastest charging’ electric SUV from China Watch video 
Dacia unveils its Manifesto Buggy with removable battery Watch video 
Ford unveils electric version of Britain’s best-selling vehicle Watch video 
Jeep unveil new zero-emissions Avenger SUV set to be sold next year Watch video 
The new MG4 EV: The all-electric zero-emissions hatchback Watch video 
Porsche Taycan Turbo S sets a Nurburgring record for an electric car Watch video 
German start-up Sono Motors unveils solar powered electric car Watch video 
New £400k electric Rolls-Royce Spectre snapped testing in France
