Tesla Model 3 put on notice as Mercedes-Benz announces new rear-drive CLA with nearly 800km of EV driving range

---

Mercedes-Benz has unveiled the all-new CLA with the sedan making several radical changes including shifting to a choice of all-electric and hybrid options, as well as switching the drivetrain from front- to rear- or all-wheel-drive.

The electric version boasts nearly 800km of range (792km) on the typically more accurate WLTP cycle for the CLA 250+; a CLA 350 4Matic also offers all-wheel-drive with slightly less range at up to 771km. 

While the price and positioning of the updated CLA are currently unclear, such range claims appear to be new BEV benchmarks that easily put rivals such as the Tesla Model 3 Long Range on notice, despite recent updates that boosted range to an exceptional 629km. 

The updated model is due to arrive in Australia early next year.

Longer range thanks to efficiency, not battery size

The usable battery size of the CLA is, at 85kWh, by no means small, but it is smaller than other Benz EQ models offered previously with significantly lower driving ranges.  

Benz says it has made the battery 20 percent more compact than its previous designs with a volumetric energy density is 680 Wh/l, while also removing more harmful and/or rare earth minerals in the process.

A 58kWh version is also said to follow by the end of the year with range not yet stated.

Similar to the Porsche Taycan, the CLA also features a two-speed transmission on the rear axle motor to boost efficiency in second gear, which the first is kept to maintain the “explosive” off-the-line performance that buyers have come to expect from an EV.

The AWD version is also capable of decoupling its front motor to save power at highway speeds and the CLA is the first Mercedes-Benz to feature an air-to-air heat pump, which it says enhances efficiency over water-based units.

The CLA 250+ has a WLTP energy efficiency rating of between 14.1-12.2kWh/100km, and the 350 4Matic is slightly ‘thirstier’ at 14.7-12.5kWh/100km.

Additionally, with the CLA being placed on an 800-volt architecture, charging times have closed in on industry leaders like Genesis, with speeds of up to 320kW – enough to add up to 325 kilometres in ten minutes, according to Mercedes-Benz.

AC charging speeds are capped at 11kW.

The single motor CLA 250+ is fitted with a 200kW/335Nm electric motor good for a 0-100 km/h time of 6.7 seconds, while the 350 4Matic cuts this feat down to 4.9 seconds.

A penalty for CLA’s boundary-pushing EV tech is weight: even in its lightest single-motor configuration the sedan weigh in at over two tonnes kerb. 

And the hybrid?

Also likely to come to Australia, is the hybrid version.

Utilising a 1.5L turbo-charged four-cylinder engine mated to an eight-speed transmission and 48-volt system that feeds from, and recharges, a 1.3kWh battery.

While a 48-volt system is typically only capable of assisting the motivation of a combustion car to a very limited degree, Benz says it can generally be used coast at low urban speeds as long as less than 20kW is needed.

Updated MBUX Superscreen, now with AI

Inside the cabin, a sweeping network of screens takes up the cabin with a 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster in front of the driver, a 14.0-inch unit for multimedia and an optional 14.0-inch unit in front of the passenger.

A litany of artificial intelligence systems from Microsoft and Google are utilised as part of the fourth-gen MBUX generation software, to make functions such as the virtual assistant more accurate when conducting searches, navigating using Google Maps and much more.

The updated software also comes with over-the-air updates, allowing for greater personalisation and functionality.

Other notable upgrades include more advanced adaptive cruise control as part of its SAE Level 2 driving assistance system that allows the CLA to change lanes by itself with a single click of the indicator stalk once a target car has been identified for overtaking.

It’s important to note though, that it’s unclear how or if this technology will be available in Australia due to current regulations on self-driving vehicles.