As we reported last February, Mercedes Benz is preparing a whole new family of compact vehicles to replace the CLA, GLB and GLA in our market.
We now learn that, indeed, it will be the CLA next generation that will lead the way. On the menu: a brand new hybrid platform capable of accommodating thermal and electric engines, an 800-volt charging architecture and an LFP battery (for lithium-iron-phosphate).
It is especially this last information that caught our attention because, obviously, Mercedes-Benz is serious in its intention to want to penetrate the segment of compact electric luxury sedans. There is also the fact that the manufacturer is suddenly faced with large models, the Tesla Model 3, in particular, but also the Polestar 2 and the BMW i4.
In fact, even if the next CLA will continue to be driven by combustion engines – probably the same 2-litre 4-cylinder engine – it will mainly focus on its electric version because of its technological advances. Its platform, the Mercedes Modular Architecture (MMA), will allow the manufacturer to add different types of engines.
For example, the fact of going directly to an LFP type battery will allow the vehicle to be more enduring to multiple recharging cycles at 100%, but also to have a lower environmental impact at the time of its construction while reducing production costs.
Although it is still too early to know the technical characteristics of this new sedan and its autonomy, reliable sources allow us to believe that Mercedes-Benz will integrate a charging architecture at 800 volts. Such technology will allow the CLA to be compatible with high charging powers, up to 350 kilowatts under ideal conditions.
Mercedes-Benz also plans to review its electric motors. For example, this CLA would be driven by the manufacturer’s eAT2.0 engines. These promise to innovate in terms of energy efficiency. They will also have the particularity of being paired with a 2-speed gearbox. It will therefore be interesting to see how Mercedes-Benz intends to exploit these new technologies, both in its regular and AMG versions. We’ll get back to you with more details as they become available.
