- The 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA might be accessible as an EV and hybrid
- The electrical CLA will be capable of add 186 miles of vary in 10 minutes
- It might be the primary EV to function each CCS and NACS cost ports
Mercedes-Benz nonetheless views the longer term as electrical, although the timeline for the transition’s turn into a bit fuzzier and longer than anticipated.
When it arrives subsequent yr, the electrical 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA would be the first of 4 new fashions (three of them U.S.-bound) on the next-gen MMA EV-dedicated platform. With two cost ports, high-power quick charging capabilities, a extra superior electrical structure, new in-house designed motors, a 2-speed transmission, and a hybrid powertrain possibility, it’s the genesis of Mercedes’ forthcoming scalable lineup.
Mercedes-Benz CLA
2026 Mercedes CLA will embrace CCS and NACS cost ports
{The electrical} structure of the CLA is future-proofed due to a brand new in-house designed 800-volt electrical structure. Mercedes mentioned the system has a peak cost price of 320 kw, however extra importantly it could possibly get better 186 miles of vary in 10 minutes when fast-charged beginning at a ten% state-of-charge. Mercedes mentioned that’s roughly 36 kwh of vitality in 10 minutes. It’ll take lower than 22 minutes to go from 10-80% state-of-charge, in line with Mercedes.
Residence charging will make the most of an 11.0-kw onboard charger—probably good for an eight-hour in a single day cost with the U.S.-spec mannequin’s 85.0-kwh usable capability.
Mercedes engineers revealed that when the CLA launches within the U.S. it’ll have two charging ports beneath a single charge-port door. One might be a CCS port whereas the opposite might be a NACS (Tesla) port.
They mentioned that is for the advantage of the shopper, as a result of who needs an adapter that may get misplaced or damaged? Powertrain and rolling chassis models that had been proven solely had a CCS port and no visuals had been but proven of the 2 charging ports side-by-side.
Mercedes-Benz CLA
Mercedes EVs to make use of a 2-speed transmission and new electrical motors
Mercedes designed and developed a brand new electrical drive unit, dubbed EDU 2.0 (Electrical Drive Unit 2.0). These motors are the primary of a brand new household of BEV powertrains simply as Mercedes has created households of gas-powered engines. The motors are mentioned to be scalable and future iterations are coming, presumably for the AMG and heavier crossover SUV variants.
Single-motor rear-wheel-drive CLAs will function a 200-kw completely synchronous motor (PSM) within the rear with 268 hp. All-wheel drive 4Matic fashions will add an 80-kw motor motor to the entrance axle and be engaged throughout acceleration or when slip is detected. Each motors function silicon carbide inverters.
The CLA would be the first, however not the final, Mercedes EV to function a 2-speed transmission. Engineers count on many of the automaker’s upcoming and future EVs to have the extra complexity within the identify of smoothness and effectivity.
The motor (EDU 2.0), transmission, and energy electronics are all packaged in a single housing.
First gear has an 11:1 ratio and maxes out at 68 mph whereas second gear switches to a 5:1 ratio with a high pace of 130 mph. Second gear is used for freeway driving and cruising whereas first gear is designed for dynamic and low-speed driving. A dry friction-based clutch is utilized to interact first gear whereas a canine clutch is used to interact second gear to make sure the typical shopper received’t really feel the transmission shifting and fascinating at varied speeds, in line with Mercedes engineers.
Mercedes-Benz CLA
Mercedes rethinks its regenerative braking system
Mercedes engineers are conscious the two-stage blended brake system within the EQS (and EQS) is way from splendid.
The MMA platform, and particularly new CLA, use Mercedes’ next-gen regenerative braking system. It’s nonetheless a two-stage blended system, however engineers declare it operates otherwise than at present’s system within the EQS.
The automotive will use regenerative braking till it could possibly’t recuperate shortly sufficient or circumstances mandatory don’t enable it (battery is just too full, too chilly, too scorching, and so forth.) earlier than partaking the friction brakes. As much as 200 kw of recuperation is feasible, in line with Mercedes.
Not like within the EQS and EQE fashions, the brake pedal is not going to transfer by itself when the automotive’s utilizing regenerative braking.
One-pedal driving might be enabled by a number of the 4 ranges of regen, dubbed D- (one-pedal driving), D, D+ (least quantity of reg), and D Auto. Engineers mentioned the automotive will bear in mind the chosen regenerative brake setting upon key cycle and received’t change till a person adjustments the system, not like at present’s automotive.
Mercedes-Benz CLA
Each U.S. CLA will get an NMC battery pack
In different markets the entry-level CLA will function a 58.0-kwh (usable) LFP battery pack. The U.S. market received’t get this battery because it received’t meet U.S. wants when it comes to vary, in line with a Mercedes spokesperson.
The U.S.-spec CLA will come commonplace with the bigger 85.0-kwh (usable) nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) battery pack. Engineers mentioned that’s 96% of the pack’s capability, making gross capability 88.5 kwh.
Each packs use prismatic cells somewhat than pouch or cylindrical cells. Engineers mentioned this route was taken for the perfect use of quantity, dimensions, and stability. The brand new chemistry options silicon anode supplies to extend vitality density.
Upcoming AMG fashions will make the most of their very own distinct battery pack.
Battery software program and integration was all developed in-house and can proceed to be finished in-house. Markus Shäfer, a member of Mercedes Group AG’s board and the automaker’s Chief Know-how Officer, mentioned full vertical integration is essential to the automaker’s future. The {hardware} and software program all must work hand-in-hand. That’s why Mercedes now, for the primary time in historical past, has a Chief Software program Officer within the C-Suite.
The system is able to bi-directional charging, utilized to house (V2H) and grid (V2G) conditions.
Mercedes-Benz CLA
2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA ushers within the MMA platform
The MMA platform is a brand new clean-sheet BEV platform. Mercedes engineers mentioned the platform, and battery pack, are each scalable. The expectation is that greater than 90% of future Mercedes’ fashions might be based mostly on a standard battery platform.
The whole package deal is modular with uniformly designed battery elements, which function the core aspect of the platform. The battery pack isn’t structural in the identical method as a Tesla Mannequin Y, the place the battery serves because the automobile’s flooring and seats bolt to the pack. However the battery pack is a part of the automobile’s security construction.
Each MMA-based Mercedes EV will function a warmth pump.
Mercedes mentioned two crossover SUVs will observe the CLA. Between the traces of a wink and a nod they could instantly change the GLA and GLB crossover SUVs. Then comes the CLA Taking pictures Brake, which received’t come to the U.S. as a result of we are able to’t have good issues.
There’s at the least one instance of an engineering flaw baked in from the beginning. As a result of the MMA platform was initially envisioned as a devoted BEV modular structure, and throughout the planning course of a hybrid powertrain was baked in, the entrance electrical motor shares mounting factors with the hybrid mannequin’s gasoline engine. This results in the electrical motor sitting greater than it could in any other case must. It’ll result in the CLA having a frunk able to most likely holding solely a small briefcase.
Mercedes-Benz CLA powertrain
A hybrid CLA possibility will reside alongside the EV
Within the hybrid, a brand new 1.5-liter turbo-4 sits beneath the hood and hooks to an 8-speed dual-clutch automated with a 27-hp electrical motor sandwiched between the motor and transmission. Complete system output is 187 hp. A 1.3-kwh lithium-ion battery pack is mounted beneath the driving force seat, and the whole system runs on 48-volts.
Mercedes mentioned the system is able to driving on electric-only energy or crusing at speeds of as much as 62 mph.
All of the gears of the 8-speed automated transmission can be utilized for recuperation to reap as much as 25 kw of vitality again into the battery pack. Mercedes mentioned this received’t be a plug-in hybrid.
Hybrid fashions might be front-wheel drive, however all-wheel drive might be accessible with a driveshaft and electronically-disconnecting clutch.
Mercedes-Benz CLA powertrain
Mercedes engineers mentioned {that a} 1.5-liter inline-4 was chosen over a turbo-3 as a consequence of noise, harshness, and vibration considerations. The brand new engine weighs 17% lower than the outgoing 2.0-liter turbo-4 in at present’s CLA. Whereas that engine has a belt starter-generator, the brand new engine does away with that in addition to any conventional starter and alternator, with these capabilities being dealt with by the electrical motor. A 12:1 compression ratio allows an environment friendly Miller cycle, and a newly designed manifold integrates the exhaust-gas turbocharger instantly into the plumbing to save lots of weight and area.
No gasoline economic system projections had been offered, however engineers mentioned the goal is “diesel-like gasoline consumption.”
Mercedes-Benz hasn’t introduced pricing, vary, tools or last specs for the 2026 CLA EV or Hybrid. That data will come on the official reveal and nearer to the launch.
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Mercedes-Benz paid for journey and lodging together with some German pretzels for Inexperienced Automotive Studies to deliver you this firsthand report
