Mercedes Idea CLA previews its ‘hypermiler’ EV that may do a Brighton to Edinburgh run

Mercedes-Benz guarantees to ship a brand new electrical household automobile subsequent yr that can be capable to take a driver and their passengers from Brighton to Edinburgh without having to cease to cost.

Referred to as the Idea CLA and unveiled on the 2023 Munich motor present, it previews the forthcoming electrical CLA which is because of be revealed in manufacturing kind within the subsequent 12 months.

The Tesla Mannequin 3 rival is claimed to cowl 466 miles on a full cost, which is sufficient to take you from the south-coast metropolis to Scotland’s capital with out stopping.

Mercedes previews its subsequent electrical household automobile: The Idea CLA Class is a near-production prototype for subsequent yr’s CLA. However, extra importantly, it debuts a brand new platform that can drive the German model’s shift to electrification

Ola Källenius, chairman of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, says the Idea CLA Class is ‘the forerunner for a completely new all-electric phase of entry-level autos at Mercedes-Benz’.

A brand new line-up of ‘compact’ autos is because of be made up of 4 new fashions – this four-door CLA coupe, a CLA Capturing Brake property and two SUVs (seemingly EQA and EQB) – that every one shall be filled with ‘extra options, even better consolation and security and essentially the most superior know-how’. 

Mr Källenius describes the next-generation CLA EV as a ‘hypermiler’ with a spread of greater than 750 kilometres (466 miles) and it will likely be the primary new launch to make use of its Mercedes Modular Structure (MAA) platform for its future electrical vehicles to drive its ‘Ambition 2039’ goal of reaching internet carbon neutrality as a model a yr earlier than 2040.

Referred to as the Idea CLA and unveiled on the 2023 Munich motor present, it previews the forthcoming electrical CLA which is because of be revealed in manufacturing kind within the subsequent 12 months

The Tesla Mannequin 3 rival is claimed to cowl 466 miles on a full cost, which is sufficient to take you from Brighton to Edinburgh with out stopping

Ola Källenius, chairman of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, says the Idea CLA Class is ‘the forerunner for a completely new all-electric phase of entry-level autos at Mercedes-Benz’

How does its vary examine to its greatest rival?

The just-updated Tesla Model 3 – as a consequence of be delivered to UK prospects from early subsequent yr – has an official vary of 412 miles, which means the Merc may gazump it by not less than 54 miles, if no more. 

The Idea CLA Class makes use of a brand new in-house-developed electrical motor that delivers 235bhp to the rear wheels by way of a two-speed transmission, although Mercedes bosses promise a ‘sizzling’ AMG model will comply with with over 500bhp from a dual-motor setup.

The CLA’s electrical motors will use vitality from a next-generation battery that – crucially – will see the brand new household automobile grow to be the primary Mercedes with an 800-volt electrical drivetrain.

Each the electrical motor and gearbox are situated on the rear axle in a single housing weighing simply 110kg and it  encompasses a raft of efficiency-boosting know-how, together with a silicon-carbide inverter that’s much more vitality pleasant, particularly at cruising speeds. 

The brand new setup will enable for charging at as much as 250kW on a fast DC charger, which can see drivers in a position so as to add virtually 250 miles (248 miles) of vary by plugging in for 1 / 4 of an hour.

The Idea CLA Class additionally hints that the brand new manufacturing EV it previews will characteristic bi-directional charging, which means homeowners can promote electrical energy again to the grid by way of vehicle-to-grid (V2G) tech and energy bigger residence gadgets utilizing a vehicle-to-appliance (V2A) system.

Nonetheless, the versatile new MMA platform additionally works with combustion engine fashions and has capability for both rear or four-wheel drive choices.

The entrance finish will get a brand new decrease grille made-up of a whole bunch of Mercedes-logo LEDs which – like the massive emblem within the centre – gentle up, although in a spread of sequences. On the rear, the lights are additionally within the form of the Mercedes emblem, which just about hold by way of a second LED gentle beam that extends over the rear wheel arches

The Mercedes emblem can also be used for the brand new headlights, that are linked by a lightweight bar that runs throughout the width of the bonnet and curves across the entrance wings, stopping slightly below the wing mirrors on the entrance doorways

These tiny Mercedes-Benz logo-shaped LEDs can all gentle up independently, whereas the large three-spoke emblem within the center additionally glows

The coupe-like silhouette is similar to that of the prevailing CLA, with frameless doorways and a low swooping roofline in the direction of the rear of the cabin sitting on prime of 21-inch star-design alloy wheels

The Idea CLA Class makes use of a brand new in-house developed electrical motor that delivers 235bhp to the rear wheels by way of a two-speed transmission, although Mercedes bosses promise a ‘sizzling’ AMG model will comply with with over 500bhp from a dual-motor setup

Whereas what underpins the Idea CLA Class could be very a lot innovative, the styling is comparatively tame by prototype car requirements. 

The coupe-like silhouette is similar to that of the prevailing CLA, with frameless doorways and a starlight glass panoramic roof that slopes dramatically in the direction of the rear of the cabin.

It sits on prime 21-inch star-design alloy wheels.

The entrance finish will get a brand new decrease grille made-up of a whole bunch of Mercedes-logo LEDs which – like the massive emblem within the centre – gentle up, although in a spread of sequences.

And the emblem can be seen within the new headlights, that are linked by a lightweight bar that runs throughout the width of the bonnet and curves across the entrance wings, stopping slightly below the wing mirrors on the entrance doorways.

On the rear, the lights are additionally within the form of the Mercedes emblem, which just about hold by way of a second LED gentle beam that extends over the rear wheel arches.

Inside, the most important focus is the Idea CLA Class’ MBUX Superscreen. This sits flush contained in the entirety of the dashboard and is a barely extra compact model of the ‘Hyperscreen’ in its premium EQS fashions

The MBUX Supercreen additionally debuts Mercedes’ new MB.OS working system. The large show flanked at every finish by turbine air vents with digital readouts inside them

Sustainability can also be a key characteristic of the inside, with the cabin utilizing recycled paper and bamboo for a number of the supplies

Whereas the idea has a two-plus-two seating structure, count on the manufacturing mannequin to have a conventional three-passenger rear bench

Within the cockpit, the most important focus is the MBUX Superscreen, which sits flush contained in the entirety of the dashboard and is a barely extra compact model of the ‘Hyperscreen’ in Mercedes’ premium EQS models.

This debuts Mercedes’ personal MB.OS working system, with the large show flanked at every finish by turbine air vents. 

Whereas the idea has a two-plus-two seating structure, count on the manufacturing mannequin to have a conventional three-passenger rear bench.

Sustainability can also be a key characteristic of the inside, with the cabin utilizing recycled paper and bamboo for a number of the supplies. 

And it would not be an idea automobile if it did not showcase some type of self-driving tech, with the CLA Class getting Stage 3 autonomy by way of a brand new Lidar-based help system, which may grow to be an over-the-air replace addition for homeowners as soon as Stage 3 is given the authorized inexperienced gentle by governments throughout Europe.

The ultimate piece of necessary tech is a brand new Little one Presence Detection (CPD) system. 

This is not to determine youngsters within the street forward and apply the brakes – as a substitute it is a characteristic designed to mitigate the danger of younger youngsters who’ve been left contained in the automobile throughout heat climate by their dad and mom.

Mercedes should assume that a few of their prospects may be fairly neglectful. 

Sensors inside can detect respiratory patterns and – if wanted – will robotically activate the air-con if it identifies a youthful individual inside overheating and panting closely. It should additionally set off the horn to inform the dad or mum that they should return to the car instantly.

Whereas no date has been set in stone for when the manufacturing model of the CLA will debut, when it does arrive count on costs to start out within the area of £45,000 – which can put it head-to-head with Tesla’s facelifted Mannequin 3.