The third-generation Mercedes-Benz CLA has been revealed, launching first globally as an electrical car (EV) earlier than later adopting a petroleum engine with mild-hybrid energy.
Mercedes-Benz’s four-door ‘coupe’ is its first mannequin to be based mostly on the brand new Mercedes-Benz Modular Structure (MMA), which is able to assist future inside combustion engine- and electric-based powertrains.
The brand new CLA is anticipated in Australia throughout the second half of 2026.
Whereas Mercedes-Benz has solely detailed two of the CLA’s electrical variants for now, it’ll reveal a extra reasonably priced battery-powered mannequin (with a 58kWh lithium-iron-phosphate pack) later this 12 months.
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As with the electrical G-Wagen, the battery-powered CLAs have adopted the ‘EQ Know-how’ suffix, as Mercedes-Benz transitions away from distinctive EV-specific mannequin names.
Under are the important thing specs of every mannequin.
| Specs | Mercedes-Benz CLA250+ with EQ Know-how | Mercedes-Benz CLA350 4MATIC with EQ Know-how |
|---|---|---|
| Drivetrain | Two-speed, single-motor | Two-speed, dual-motor |
| Battery capability | 85kWh | 85kWh |
| Battery sort | Nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) | Nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) |
| Energy | 200kW | 260kW |
| Torque | 335Nm | 515Nm |
| Drive sort | Rear-wheel drive | All-wheel drive |
| Kerb weight | 2055kg | 2135kg |
| 0-100km/h (claimed) | 6.7 seconds | 4.9 seconds |
| Claimed vary (WLTP) | 694-792km | 672-771km |
| Max AC cost price | 11kW | 11kW |
| Max DC cost price | 320kW | 320kW |
The carmaker has beforehand introduced the petrol CLA might be powered by a brand new turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine, mated to an eight-speed dual-clutch computerized transmission which options an built-in 20kW electrical motor.
A 1.3kWh, 48-volt lithium-ion battery provides energy to the electrical motor, which dietary supplements the petrol engine’s outputs.
Mercedes-Benz says it’ll provide three output ranges initially, with 100kW/200Nm, 120kW/250Nm and 140kW/300Nm choices, throughout front- and all-wheel drive layouts.
For context, the front-wheel drive CLA200 presently on sale in Australia produces 120kW/270Nm from its turbocharged 1.3-litre four-cylinder engine, whereas the CLA250 is all-wheel drive and may make as much as 165kW/350Nm from a 2.0-litre powerplant.
Regardless of a circa-500kg weight enhance, the electrical CLA options a greater power-to-weight ratio than its predecessor, no less than when evaluating the brand new CLA250 to the outdated CLA200, and the CLA350 to the outgoing CLA250.
Whereas many of the weight acquire may be put right down to the electrical motors and battery, the CLA has additionally grown in dimension, with its wheelbase stretched by greater than 60mm and total size rising by 35mm.
| 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA | |
|---|---|
| Size | 4723mm (+35mm) |
| Width (inc. mirrors) | 2021mm (+22mm) |
| Peak | 1468mm (+29mm) |
| Wheelbase | 2790mm (+61mm) |
| Boot capability | 405L (-55L) |
| Entrance storage space | 101L |
Nonetheless, regardless of the longer wheelbase, there’s much less rear shoulder, elbow and legroom, whereas the boot area has additionally been diminished by a not-insignificant 55L.
That is with out counting the 101L ‘frunk’ which Mercedes-Benz tenuously says is its first to be fitted to one among its manufacturing autos for the reason that W23-generation 130 of the Thirties, claimed to be the debut of such a entrance storage space.
Anticipate much more area to be obtainable within the CLA Taking pictures Brake, lately spied present process testing in Europe.
Design sensible, the CLA is – unsurprisingly – a toned-down model of what was previewed by the Idea CLA Class from the 2023 Munich motor present.
This implies an illuminated grille (with 142 individually animated LED chrome-effect stars), and full-width LED lights on the entrance and rear, each incorporating the three-pointed star of their signature. Multibeam LED headlights might be an choice in some markets.
All CLAs might be fitted as normal with a panoramic roof, stretching from the A- to C-pillars and that includes infrared movie and a low-emissivity coating to guard occupants towards daylight and warmth.
Importantly, Mercedes-Benz claims the CLA has a drag coefficient as little as 0.21cd, making it a frontrunner within the section.
Wheels vary from 17 to 19 inches relying on spec and market, whereas there’s additionally a selection of normal, AMG Line and Evening Bundle exterior appears.
Inside, the cabin adopts Mercedes-Benz’s newest design language and know-how.
An optionally available MBUX Superscreen brings collectively a ten.25-inch digital instrument cluster, 14-inch infotainment display, and 14-inch passenger show in a single housing.
The passenger display can be utilized to observe media from streaming providers corresponding to Disney+ and Ridevu (owned by Sony), and even to play video video games.
It’s understood CLAs ordered with out the Superscreen nonetheless retain the motive force show and infotainment display, with a star sample graphic instead of the passenger display.
The outboard air vents bookend the pillar-to-pillar display, whereas the central vents aren’t any lengthy a trio of round shops, as a substitute now being a single rectangular unit with two adjusters for occupants on either side.
It seems the bodily local weather controls have additionally been ditched, with heating and cooling now managed through the touchscreen.
An built-in cup holder sits on the floating centre console, above area for an optionally available wi-fi charger.
Relying available on the market, inside upholstery starting from microfibre and Artico to leather-based may be ordered.
Additionally optionally available is a Burmester 3D Encompass Sound System, that includes 16 audio system, an 850-watt amplifier and Dolby Atmos.
Out there security gear consists of autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise management, lane-keep and lane-change help (a primary for the CLA), a surround-view digital camera and parking help.
Mercedes-Benz claims the brand new CLA may even be the primary car in its section to supply a centre airbag as normal, decreasing the danger of a head conflict between front-seat occupants.
Australian pricing for the electrical CLA is because of be introduced nearer to its second-half 2026 arrival, although count on a rise concerning the circa-$75,000 drive-away worth of the present base mannequin.
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