The New Mercedes-Benz CLA: A Fresh Take on Small Luxury
Say hello to the Mercedes-Benz CLA, the newest kid on the block for anyone wanting that Mercedes vibe in a smaller package. This sleek saloon’s got a whole new look, a fresh platform, and a pile of tech that’s flipping the script on what a compact Mercedes can be.
Tech Straight from the Future
The CLA’s packed with ideas borrowed from the EQXX, a concept car that went 1000km on a single charge. That’s some serious inspiration! Mercedes took those lessons and poured them into the CLA to make it stand out.
“Mercedes is always about going big,” says Markus Schäfer, the tech boss, with a smile. “We’re super competitive, and the CLA’s got the best of EQXX. It charges crazy fast and sips energy like nothing else. It’s a benchmark, no doubt,” he told CAR.
Pricing and Trims
The lineup starts with the CLA 250+ with EQ Technology in Sport Edition at £45,616. Want more flair? The AMG Line Edition costs £49,375. For the top-tier vibe, the AMG Line Premium Edition hits £51,770.
Design: Kind of Familiar?
The design is not the wildest. Gorden Wagener’s team kept it safe, avoiding the super smooth look of the EQE and EQS but still going with rounded edges. It’s close to the Concept CLA’s shape, with three-pointed stars in the headlights and tail lights. The EV version’s grille glows with 142 LEDs, and every CLA gets a panoramic glass roof as standard.
This CLA’s a bit bigger: 35mm longer, 25mm wider, and 29mm taller than the old one. There’s more room inside for passengers, but the trunk’s down to 405 liters from 460. EV models make up for it with a 101-liter frunk.
You get two trims: Progressive Line and AMG Line. The AMG Line rocks 18-inch sporty wheels and a bolder look. UK buyers will likely only see the AMG Line since we love our big wheels and body kits. Add the Night package for blacked-out trim or the AMG Line Plus for extra sporty touches.
Tech-Packed Interior
Is the cabin a tech fest? Oh yeah! Mercedes is bringing it, leaving the Audi A3 Saloon and BMW 2-series Gran Coupe in the dust. The CLA’s built on the new Mercedes Modular Architecture (MMA), which sets the stage for all this cool stuff. “MMA’s a game-changer,” Schäfer says. “The video, audio, and driver experience are next-level for this class.”
The dashboard’s got a massive three-screen setup called the MBUX Superscreen: a 10.25-inch driver display, a 14-inch central screen, and a 14-inch passenger screen. It’s straight out of the EQXX playbook and also used in the E-Class. It’s an optional upgrade—standard CLAs get two screens. The steering wheel’s got those touch buttons, but Mercedes says they’re simpler now.
The CLA’s the first to use Mercedes’ new MB.OS software, with MBUX as the main interface. The MBUX Virtual Assistant uses AI, tapping into ChatGPT, Microsoft Bing, and Google’s Automotive AI for smart, natural responses. No Mercedes maps here—it’s got Google Maps built in.
Driver-assist tech is everywhere. MBUX Surround Navigation mixes 3D visuals with real-time route guidance on the driver’s screen, showing you what the car sees to keep you in the loop.
Electric Power, Baby!
The electric versions are fire, thanks to the MMA platform. At launch, you get the CLA 250+ and CLA 350, both with “EQ Technology” in the name (like the electric G-Class). Mercedes is ditching the “EQ” naming for EVs.
Both pack an 85kWh battery. A cheaper lithium iron phosphate battery might come later. The 250+ has a rear motor with 268 horsepower and 247 lb-ft of torque, hitting 62 mph in 6.7 seconds and topping out at 130 mph. It’s got a range of 431 to 492 miles, one of the best out there.
The CLA 350 4Matic adds a front motor for all-wheel drive, boosting power to 349 horsepower and 380 lb-ft. It hits 62 mph in 4.9 seconds with a range of 418 to 479 miles. Those numbers come from Mercedes’ focus on efficiency—motors hit 93% efficiency with EQXX tech, and the rear motor’s got a two-speed gearbox for better high-speed performance. “These motors are scalable,” says Christian Pfeffer, the electric drive lead. “They could show up in bigger cars.”
The 800-volt system keeps things light and charges at up to 320kW, adding 201 miles in 10 minutes. Electric CLAs also get cool sound effects like “fractal fusion.” Plus, they’re ready for bi-directional charging, which’ll come later via a software update.
Gas Engines, Too
Don’t want electric? No prob. Mercedes built a new 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine (M252) for the CLA, paired with a hybrid system and an eight-speed “e-DCT” transmission. It’s 17% lighter than the old engine and uses a 1.3kWh battery for efficiency.
Gas-powered CLA details are still coming, but CAR says they’ll have 134 horsepower (CLA200), 161 horsepower (CLA250), and 188 horsepower (CLA300). “This hybrid’s as efficient as a diesel,” says engineer Karsten Krebs. It can drive a bit without the engine. Mercedes is so sure about this hybrid and the EV that they’re skipping a plug-in hybrid. “The hybrid’s great for those not ready for electric,” says Jan Becker. “But if you can charge, go electric,” Krebs adds.
While waiting for the new CLA to hit the roads, why not take a look at other Mercedes cars in Milton Keynes, available at reasonable prices.
Source and Images: CarMagazine UK