New Mercedes-Benz CLA: the test of the sedan of the future

The new electric beginning of Mercedes-Benz It starts with the new CLA, the first model of the brand to rest on the MMA platform conceived for zero cars or low emissions of the star. After the debut as concept at the Monaco 2023 Motor Show, followed by the Roman preview last December, the third generation of Mercedes-Benz CLA It arrives on the roads with two 100% electric engines, which precede the Mild-Hybrid petrol version for a few months. Expected in the dealership between the end of 2025 and the beginning of 2026, the price of the Mercedes-Benz CLA 250+ It starts from 56,600 euros, that of the 62,250 euro CLA 350+.

Characteristics

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The model intended to represent the port of access to the Mercedes-Benz world is 472 cm long with a step of 279 cm, respectively 3 and 6 cm more than in the past. The minimum capacity of the trunk drops to 405 liters, to be added to the 100 offered by the front compartment, as the aerodynamic coefficient falls up to the record value of 0.21. The passenger compartment has been redesigned around the new 14 “displays of MB.OS system brought to the debut by the new CLA, flanked, in a single glazed surface, by the digital tools with a diagonal of 12.3 “. Thanks to technology Over the chip The system will always be in step with the times in the graphic design and functionality, even years after the purchase of the car. MB.OS is integrated with the platform Googlein addition to being the first to combine more technologies Ai to provide any type of assistance to driver and passengers. The latter can exploit the entertainment functions such as gaming, films or TV series without distracting the driver, whose state of attention is monitored by a camera that blocks the reproduction if the gaze of the driver directed towards the third display (optional).

Engines, batteries and charging times

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At launch, Mercedes-Cla It will be proposed in 250+ and 350+ version. The first mounts a Electric motor with permanent magnets, Able to generate 200 kW/272 HP and 330 Nm of torque downloaded on the back, through a two -speed gearbox. The CLA 350+ instead declares 260 kW/350 HP and 500 Nm of torque downloaded on the four wheels, always in combination with the two -speed gearbox. Two battery packs available, from 58 kWh to lithium-green-phosphate, or al Nichel-Manganese-Cobalto 85 kWh for a maximum autonomy of 792 km on the Clade 250+ and about 770 km on the 350+. Thanks to the 800 volt architecture of the MMA platform, the charging times indicate 10 minutes to restore 315 km of travel and 22 minutes to go from 10 to 80% autonomy, thanks to the continuous current on -board charger which supports up to 320 kW of power. In 2026 the CLA range will also welcome a Mild-Hybrid 48 Volt version, in support of the new 1.5-liter Miller cycle petrol engine.

How is it going

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Passista di Race, but electric. It is not an oxymoron but only some of the characteristics sported by the third generation of Mercedes-Benz CLAconceived for long journeys and to postpone energy supplies as much as possible even when used in the city. Peculiarity expressed in the test drive in preview that started from the center of Copenhagen, where the use of the car is discouraged by the thousands of people circulating by bicycle with absolute right of precedence, as by the thick presence of traffic lights that make the guide in the city a continuous Stop & Go. A context where the CLA still manages to guarantee comfort at the wheel, with the help of the many integrated driving aid systems with predictive functions, which provide continuous assistance without being invasive. The exact opposite of what happens in many cars of the competition, where the continuity of acoustic notices provided for law often has the effect of innervosy who drives. The best, however, comes once he came out of the urban context, where the incisive but not angry inspiration from the CLA 250+ satisfied overtaking in ease, without gluing the occupants to the seats. Linear and progressive, it does not lose consistency in extension and in the curve follows the trajectory without showing trends in the understeer, in spite of a weight slightly above 2 tons. It is effectively digested by the adaptive set -up, which cancels roll in curves such as the pitching in braking, always incisive and well modular. The surprise reaches the end of the mixed path of about 200 km, faced with a relaxed guide but without using the eco mode: 12.8 kWh per 100 km. An unapproachable figure also for many zero -emission small cars, not for a passage from the blue blood which has proven to be the new CLA. The most powerful 350+ adds greater incisiveness in the starting point and the advantages of all -wheel drive, but inevitably loses the comparison in the item consumption: 13.8 kWh/100 km in the city, an excellent figure for a 350 HP all -wheel drive sedan that exceeds 4.70 meters in length.

To those who turn

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Families, single or companies looking for a relaxing, technological car and suitable for long travel.

Strengths and weaknesses

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Pleases:

• Autonomy: close to the declared data, at least with the 85 kWh NMC battery.
• Travel comfort: from Premium conceived to travel.
• Technology: at the top in terms of safety, driving assistance and entertainment.

• Ergonomics: some extra physical button would have been useful.
• Equipment: the optional list is long enough.
• Sound: in Sport mode (O Dynamic) is too aggressive for the car’s nature.