Mercedes-Benz has released further information about its upcoming CLA, a car that will be available as a 700km EV or a mild hybrid petrol with diesel economy.
New CLA will debut with the option of two battery-electric powertrains or an all-new 1.5L super-efficient petrol engine.
Utilising the new MMA platform, the CLA design prioritises EVs but the firm hasn’t overlooked those still wedded to petrol power. However, think efficiency over performance.
The CLA’s new M252 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine is tiny to fit into the space where a motor would normally be. Cylinders are tightly spaced making a compact block and the exhaust manifolds form part of the cylinder head. The eight-speed automatic gearbox, motor and inverter integrate into a small lightweight unit.
The engine is evidently 17 per cent lighter than Mercedes’ current four-cylinder mill. Foams and covers keep engine noise to a minimum. Outputs are 100kW or 120kW, driving the front wheels or 140kW via both axles. Sports derivatives with higher output are likely. No fuel use figures are available as yet but engineers talk about diesel levels of efficiency.
The 20kW electric motor in the mild hybrid system can power the car for short distances at speeds up to 100km/h. It draws power from a 1.3kWh 48V battery that sits under the front passenger seat. Mercedes claims the start-stop function is barely perceptible in action.
As to the EVs, Mercedes says the new drivetrain can achieve 12kWh/100km in real-world use and, with 800v architecture, a 10-80 per cent recharge takes 10 minutes.
The CLA will come with a 58kWh LFP battery or 85kWh NMC unit, the latter with silicon-oxide anodes. These apparently boost energy density by 20 per cent compared with the cells currently in use. A 700km range would put the CLA at the head of the pack.
A new design of electric motor on the rear axle means up to 200kW on offer, and another 80kW up front with the 4Matic models. The latter acts only as a booster for performance, and is otherwise decoupled from use for enhanced efficiency. At the rear is a new drive unit that includes a two-speed gearbox for optimum efficiency at various speeds. It can also recuperate energy at up to 200kW under deceleration.
The electric versions will have one-pedal driving capability and all will feature a heat pump as standard. CLA debuts soon and goes on sale next year.
