Mercedes-Benz CLA EV Concept Showcased At Munich Motor Show

Mercedes-Benz has just unveiled the new Concept CLA class at the 2023 Munich Motor Show. The sedan is based on the automaker’s new MMA (Mercedes-Benz Modular Architecture) platform, and its powertrain is derived from last year’s Vision EQXX concept. The new model will be an all-electric successor to the CLA sedan and is being proposed as an all-new entry-level luxury car from the brand.

Mercedes-Benz CLA Concept: Exterior Design

The Mercedes Benz CLA Concept has a striking, head-turning design. The front end features a low-slung profile with a large illuminated panel with a Mercedes emblem at the centre and multiple animated stars surrounding it.

The headlights have a half-cut circle design with a three-pointed star in the middle and are connected by an LED light band that extends into the front fenders and doors. The side profile gets new frameless doors, a coupe-like roofline and minimal surfacing for a clean silhouette.

At the rear, the CLA Concept gets an aggressively angled windscreen and more pronounced rear wheel arches that give it a more purposeful stance than the current model. It also gets a full-width LED light bar connecting the new LED taillights that feature three-pointed star detailing, and a notchback boot lid.

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Mercedes-Benz CLA Concept: Interior Design and Features

Moving inside, the Concept CLA’s dashboard is dominated by the new MBUX Superscreen that was earlier seen on the Vision EQXX. Confirmed to be featured on the production model, the full-width screen runs on Mercedes’ new MB.OS operating system. It represents a new approach to in-car infotainment for the brand with a new chip-to-cloud architecture, supporting Google Maps navigation among other embedded apps. Mercedes states that it will be included in all upcoming models, starting with the new CLA.

Aside from the Superscreen, the CLA Concept also gets a number of tech-laden features. The turbine-style AC vents are digitally visualised on the far left and right of the screen, while also incorporating a physical control interface with the cabin temperature setting displayed on the fixed inner ring.

The outer analogue ring emerges out of the glass surface and can be used to adjust settings. Meanwhile, the sculpted seats and door upholstery use sustainably produced Nappa leather, finished in silver and white. The ambient lighting uses illuminated blue and violet strips as highlights while the floating centre armrest houses a cup holder and wireless charger.

Mercedes also showcased its new Level 3 LiDAR-based ADAS tech on the CLA Concept. While the production model will offer only Level 2 autonomy, it will be offered with OTA updates, which may let owners buy Level 3 features in the future.

Mercedes-Benz CLA Concept: Powertrain Details

The automaker has stated that the 2025 CLA Concept previews the ‘next-generation electric-drive technology’ for production EVs. Derived directly from the Vision EQXX, it uses an 800v electric architecture that allows up to 250kW DC fast charging that juices up the battery with 400 km of range in just 15 minutes. Mercedes claims a range of over 750 km. The battery itself will be available with two different cell chemistry choices. Higher-spec variants get an anode design with silicon-oxide content cells, while the entry-level models feature lithium-iron phosphate cells.

The CLA Concept’s battery pack powers a single-electric motor that makes 235 bhp of peak power and is mated to a 2-speed transmission.

Mercedes-Benz CLA Concept: Launch

The production version of the CLA concept is expected to go on sale globally in 2025. Mercedes may launch the new CLA in India in the same year as well.

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