Mercedes Takes Risk with Redesigned CLA Sedan

The unveiling of Mercedes-Benz’s redesigned CLA sedan represents a sea change in the company’s electrification strategy.

The brand’s new MMA (Mercedes-Benz Modular Architecture) platform strategy is introduced with this elegant four-door coupe.

Mercedes is using this adaptable technique to hedge its bets after poor EV sales. On a shared architecture, the third-generation CLA will provide both internal combustion and electric alternatives.

A hybrid version will be released in 2026 after the electric version debuts in 2025. This goes against the norm, which is to introduce combustion engines before electric ones.

Mercedes CEO Ola Källenius frames this approach as pragmatic, stating, “We’re in an era where we’re going towards electrification, but in the year 2025 obviously, we’re not 100 percent electrification. So for many years to come, we will have a duality.”

At 185.9 inches long, the new CLA matches a Tesla Model 3 in size, and the wheelbase grows by 2.4 inches, improving interior space, particularly headroom in the rear seats.

The impressive 800-volt architecture of the electric CLA allows for incredibly quick charging. At peak rates of 320 kW, this system may increase range by around 186 miles in just 10 minutes.

Mercedes-Benz has only unveiled two of the CLA’s electric variants so far but says later this year it will launch a more affordable battery-powered car (with a 58kWh lithium-iron-phosphate pack).

The two electric versions made known so far include the all-wheel drive CLA 350 4MATIC with 349 horsepower and the rear-wheel drive CLA 250+ with 268 horsepower.

The company also offers two battery options globally: a 58.4 kWh version and a larger 85.5 kWh pack, and the U.S. models will exclusively receive the larger 85.5 kWh battery pack.

Interior and Technology Advancements

The cabin showcases Mercedes’ new design direction with a pillar-to-pillar glass panel. This houses a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14-inch central touchscreen as standard.

An optional 14-inch passenger display completes the “Superscreen” setup. This screen can play streaming content from services like YouTube and RideVu while remaining invisible to the driver.

The new MB.OS (Mercedes Benz Operating System) incorporates Google’s Gemini for voice commands and OpenAI’s GPT-4o for general knowledge, creating a more conversational, context-aware user experience.

Mercedes claims the system will “age like good French wine,” improving over time through over-the-air updates. Some new features will be free, while others will require payment.

The CLA introduces several firsts for Mercedes: its first 800-volt electrical architecture, first two-speed transmission in an EV, and first front storage compartment in nearly a century.

Driver assistance technology reaches “Level 2++” capability, approaching Level 3 autonomous driving. The system keeps the driver engaged but handles most situations independently.

A standard panoramic glass roof stretches from the windshield to the rear window. Rather than a physical shade, it uses special coatings and films to block heat and UV radiation.

The hybrid CLA will feature a new 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. This Miller-cycle powerplant connects to an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission with an integrated electric motor.

This mild hybrid system delivers up to 20kW of electric assistance from a 1.3kWh battery. The engine will offer varying power outputs across front-wheel and all-wheel drive configurations.

The new CLA launches in China and Europe first, reaching U.S. showrooms this fall. While pricing remains unannounced, it will likely start under $60,000 to remain competitive with Tesla.