2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA Debuts With Hybrid And Electrical Powertrains

A short time in the past we advised you what we knew about Mercedes-Benz’s new CLA and the way it match into the carmaker’s technique. As often occurs, we did not know every part. As an example, we didn’t know what they’d convey to our shores would are available a 48-volt mild-hybrid taste in addition to each an AWD and rear-wheel drive EV. And in addition that the EV options some moderately incredible-sounding tech that Mercedes has by no means deployed on a automobile this dimension earlier than—and truly that matches the Porsche Taycan in additional methods than one.

Two-Pace Transmission – A Web page From Porsche’s Playbook

Taking a web page out of Porsche’s e-book, the brand new CLA contains a two-speed transmission within the rear electrical drive unit. This, thoughts you, is on the 349-horsepower CLA 350 4MATIC, the all-wheel-drive model of the newly electrified CLA. Each get 85 kWh batteries. On the rear of the CLA, its 268-horsepower motor begins off in a comparatively low gear. Or, when you punch it, the CLA can downshift to entry that gear.

For cruising, relying on throttle enter, the automobile will upshift to the taller second gear. What’s nifty is that the system works in tandem with one other part of the driveline, a disconnect system that capabilities much more like what you see in gasoline-powered AWD programs. Largely, the 107-horsepower electrical drive unit on the entrance axle is uncoupled from the principle drive unit, which Mercedes says cuts parasitic losses by 90 p.c, to extend vary. Need most go? The most well liked CLA can hit 60 MPH in 4.8 seconds.

As Aero-Environment friendly As They Come

0.21 – that is the

low drag coefficient
Mercedes has achieved with this automobile, which matches the low-slung Porsche Taycan for aerodynamics and is simply barely superior to the quantity achieved by the forthcoming Audi A6 Sportback e-Tron. One characteristic we have not seen, however that Mercedes says they will promote, is what they’re calling “full cowl” wheels. Mercedes says that additional will increase the automobile’s aerodynamics. However we have additionally seen aero wheels that look fairly horrible, so TBD on the visuals. Mercedes engineers additional reduce drag by including wheel spoilers forward of each axles, to enormously cut back inefficiency from these sections of the physique.

Brakes, With Really feel?

If we have now a common beef about automobiles nowadays, and this goes for gasoline automobiles, too, it’s that carmakers are including novocaine to every part that after had a mechanical really feel. Mercedes says they’re addressing this within the new CLA’s brakes with a first-of-its type “one-box” braking system, which is fully a brake-by-wire unit that they are saying will supply a constant really feel underneath each regenerative and non-regen braking. We need to do that to imagine it. Mercedes additionally says the brakes supply the flexibility to sluggish the automobile virtually fully via re-gen, which is designed to extract as a lot power as potential via braking power and transfer it again into the battery. Oh, sure, in case you are questioning, there’s additionally a hydraulic fail-safe in case the by-wire stoppers not perform.

The Fuel Automobile On The Identical Chassis

Mercedes says they’ve revised the suspension of the CLA, which they’re calling a Consolation Suspension. The revised geometry on the entrance ought to yield a bit much less jounce and extra precision in steering, and there is not any doubt this was essential to deal with the added weight of the BEV automobile. And, in step with that pondering, the rear finish shares the identical suspension because the E-Class, which ought to make the brand new CLA really feel extra planted, to not point out, “Mercedes” refined. The 48-volt, mild-hybrid model of the CLA will get a newly developed, 1.5-liter four-cylinder powerplant; Mercedes did not disclose that engine’s output, solely that underneath sure circumstances the gasoline automobile may run on electric-only propulsion.

TopSpeed’s Take

The CLA is buffing up a bit. It is 1.3 inches longer, an inch wider, and the wheelbase stretches 2.4 inches. That can probably additionally assist the smallest Benz really feel a bit extra substantial. To not point out, the taffy-pulling provides headroom (particularly within the rear), legroom, and shoulder room. A roomier CLA goes to assist the automobile compete with various EVs. We’re nonetheless in a watch-this-space mode on vary, nonetheless.

Mercedes CLA Specs

Mercedes says the 268-horsepower rear-wheel-drive model will get as much as 792 kilometers (492 miles) in response to the WLTP cycle, however that is the European check, and EPA numbers are typically much less exceptional. Mercedes says drivers can add as much as 180 miles of juice in simply 10 minutes of DC charging, due to new 800-volt structure, and that should not fluctuate by area—however it should fluctuate by the DC charger you might have entry to. We additionally do not know the precise product timing, solely that Mercedes says someday in 2025. Nor, after all, do we all know the pricing. There’s strain on the three-pointed star to catch up within the EV race, but in addition, making the smallest Benz too costly may damage gross sales. That new

Audi A6 Sportback e-Tron
runs $65,000—nevertheless it’s additionally lots larger than this automobile. So, the final word CLA proof will probably be within the pricing.