Mercedes-Benz is gearing as much as launch an all-new, third-generation of its small, streamlined sedan, the CLA. However that is greater than only a redesign of the entry-level mannequin. It is a vastly vital electrical mannequin for Mercedes, serving because the debut mannequin for 800-volt EV structure and its first software-defined car (SDV), with a hybrid model additionally obtainable.
Primarily, it is Mercedes’s try to handle all the points with its early strategy to EVs. The leap into a real software-defined car structure is big, too, because it adopts the strategy of corporations like Tesla, Rivian, BYD and numerous Chinese language manufacturers. SDVs are upgradeable over the air, provide slick know-how, and simplified electrical architectures that make them simpler to construct.
SDVs are mainly computer systems on wheels, automobiles whose code is extra vital than their mechanical elements. This strategy makes some very feature-rich Chinese language vehicles uninspiring to drive, however that fortunately isn’t the case with the brand new CLA. It additionally appears good in individual, a advantage of Mercedes dropping the jellybean shapes and the “EQ” names. With a premium-feeling inside and unbelievable vary and effectivity figures, the CLA is the automaker’s greatest effort but. However is that adequate?
Fast And Sorted
Photograph by: Andrei Nedelea
Mercedes had eight CLAs for journalists to attempt in Denmark, however solely two of them had been the dual-motor CLA 350 4Matic, which will get a mixed energy output of 349 horsepower, permitting it to dash to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 4.9 seconds. I didn’t get an opportunity to get behind the wheel of a 350, however I did attempt two totally different 250+ examples, which had been fairly good.
The CLA 250+ will get a single 268-hp motor on the rear axle, permitting it to finish the benchmark dash in 6.7 seconds. It feels about that fast from behind the wheel, though it’s not significantly thrilling in a straight line.
With its bigger 85 kilowatt-hour NMC battery pack (there may even be a smaller, lighter 58 kWh LFP battery), the CLA 250+ weighs a substantial 4,530 lbs (2,055 kg), whereas the dual-motor pushes that as much as 4,706 lbs (2,135 kg). Maybe this explains why it doesn’t fairly really feel as fast as you count on a small electrical sedan with its energy output to be. It felt noticeably slower than the comparable single-motor long-range Tesla Mannequin 3, which is about 680 lbs (308 kg) lighter.
Photograph by: Andrei Nedelea
With that being stated, although, it hides its weight remarkably by means of the corners. I chucked it into just a few bends out on nation roads, and it was fully unflustered. My rear-wheel-drive tester’s steering was additionally unexpectedly communicative and really exact, boosting my confidence by means of the windy stuff.
There’s extra excellent news. Not solely is it actually good across the bends, nevertheless it’s additionally very comfy because of a well-judged suspension setup and what seems like very refined damping. It doesn’t get adaptive dampers and even frequency-selective dampers like the present Mannequin 3, however its trip is way superior to the Tesla’s.
General, driving the CLA 250+ felt improbable with its wonderful mix of consolation and sportiness.
Huge Battery Power
Photograph by: Andrei Nedelea
Mercedes quotes the CLA 250+ at a powerful 492 miles (792 km) WLTP, which is an excellent quantity, and the very best within the CLA lineup. To attain it, you would need to match the official effectivity ranking, which is 5.09 miles/kWh (12.2 kWh/100 km). Anticipate EPA numbers to be decrease, however nonetheless effectively North of 400 miles.
Driving the automobile in a relaxed method with out a lot onerous acceleration, I averaged 4.53 miles/kWh (13.7 kWh/100 km) on the primary day. You’ll be able to completely do higher if you happen to really attempt to drive the automobile effectively, or you are able to do loads worse if you happen to drive it rapidly, as I did on the second day with a number of launches, some fairly spicy nation highway driving and sport mode enabled nearly completely.
My day two effectivity determine was 3.72 miles/kWh (16.7 kWh/100 km), which I deem acceptable given the excessive stage of hoon that the automobile was subjected to. The vary in another EVs subjected to equally sporty driving would have actually plummeted, so credit score to Mercedes for making the CLA an actual electron-sipper.
Although I didn’t get the prospect to cost the CLA, its 320 kW peak charging energy and 10 to 80% charging time of round 22 minutes are each wonderful (at the least if you happen to fully ignore what’s occurring in China, the place charging appears to be measured in seconds). It will possibly add 200 miles of vary in 10 minutes, which is healthier than the overwhelming majority of EVs on sale in Western markets.
The First iMercedes
Photograph by: Andrei Nedelea
Climbing aboard the CLA, President Trump’s “it’s all pc” remark saved creeping up behind my thoughts. It will precisely describe being in both of the entrance two seats; rear occupants should not handled to a display screen. The automobile comes with both two or three screens and the very best infotainment system ever in a Mercedes.
It’s referred to as MB.OS, and it’s a proprietary Mercedes working system that will get embedded entry to Google Maps and different Google options. It additionally will get a man-made intelligence-powered digital assistant, which I check out within the video above. It’s not the very best I’ve tried, and it’s inferior to the Reno digital assistant within the new Renault 5 E-Tech, however the automobiles we drove had been nonetheless pre-production, and Mercedes can enhance it over time by means of updates.
The central 14-inch display screen is great to make use of, although, with loads of processing energy to make any motion easy and stutter-free. Pinching to zoom on the Google satellite tv for pc map is an effective take a look at of each its {hardware} and its knowledge connection, and it’s about pretty much as good as on an iPad, however in an even bigger type issue.
Photograph by: Andrei Nedelea
The driving force will get a smaller 10.25-inch display screen that shows all of the fundamentals, and you’ll have the map on there too. Having pushed just a few Mercedes fashions not too long ago, I’ve to say I wasn’t a fan of their futuristic energy, rpm and velocity digital combos. They appeared like they belonged in a spaceship, not a automobile, and I’m joyful to report that the fundamental structure is far more standard within the new CLA. You get two round dials with needles, such as you would in a conventional combustion automobile. One tells you velocity, the opposite how a lot energy you’re utilizing or placing again into the battery.
The elective passenger display screen is simply as massive because the central show and has many of the identical features. It’s not a stretch for the passenger to achieve and contact the central display screen, so you may (and possibly ought to) skip the third display screen and save just a few {dollars}. Nonetheless, the dashboard appears a bit barren with out it, a bit like a elaborate Scandinavian espresso desk: minimalist and chic, but aggressively empty.
My day-two tester, the pink automobile within the gallery, didn’t have the third display screen, and apart from not wanting as fancy as yesterday’s automobile, I didn’t miss it. At the same time as a passenger, I discovered myself utilizing the central display screen.
You’ll be able to watch movies on the third display screen whereas the automobile is in movement, but when the driving force appears at your display screen whereas the automobile is shifting, the digicam within the heart of the sprint sees this, and it stops enjoying. This did not work very effectively in my expertise, and a easy pane of privateness glass that makes the passenger display screen black when considered at an angle simply looks as if a less complicated resolution that requires no software program definition.
Software program-Outlined However Not Soulless
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Supply: Andrei Nedelea
There’s not a lot to complain about until you’re sitting within the again, questioning why your knees are pushed so excessive and why there’s no display screen or separate local weather zone. That apart, it’s fairly roomy for passengers up entrance, it comes with a decent-sized frunk and it fees faster than most vehicles on sale.
It’s additionally my least favourite CLA era from an exterior design standpoint. Mercedes has made important efforts to hide the extra peak of the brand new mannequin, a consequence of the battery situated in its stomach, nevertheless it lacks the easy magnificence of its predecessors, significantly the ultra-low-slung second-generation mannequin.
But it surely drives actually properly, masking its shocking heft, and it delivers the place it issues for EV patrons. It has numerous vary, good software program and fees rapidly. Within the U.S., it’s getting each a NACS port for DC quick charging and a J1772 connector for if you’re not in a rush or are simply charging at dwelling.
As with all automobile, what is going to make or break it’s how a lot it prices. The impression from tariffs could form that, however the end result will change how many individuals are thinking about a futuristic, software-driven EV. Nonetheless, this vital new electrical sedan makes a really convincing first impression, and I can’t wait to get one again dwelling to dive deeper into the brand new CLA.
