![Mercedes-AMG F1 driver Kimi Antonelli appears in the upcoming CLA teaser video [VIDEO]](https://wheelfeed.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/2756-1761203823224.jpg)
Mercedes-Benz CLA
Antonelli drives the camouflaged new CLA
This time, Antonelli is driving the new Mercedes-Benz CLA, which features a three-pointed star illumination on the roof.
Two new faces will appear at Mercedes-Benz in early 2025. First, Kimi Antonelli will make his long-awaited F1 Grand Prix appearance on the circuit with the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team. And on public roads, the new CLA, equipped with a fully electric powertrain, will make its world premiere. Mercedes-Benz has released a special video, “Charging up for 2025,” featuring these two rising stars on its official YouTube channel.
In the video, Antonelli begins his journey to the snowy mountains of the European Alps on his way to the F1 pre-season test. In the freezing weather, Antonelli is given the keys to a special car. He climbs into a camouflaged new CLA, adorned with dazzling illuminations, and heads off into a snow-covered valley.
When I plugged in the CLA after a downhill drive, the Christmas tree lights lit up brilliantly, proving that the car had stored up plenty of regenerative energy during the downhill drive.
Highlighting the powerful regenerative braking system
The video shows how Antonelli’s driving allows regenerative energy to be stored.
The new Mercedes-Benz CLA has been developed as a new generation EV that sets new standards in terms of efficiency and sustainability. Almost all braking operations are performed by the regenerative system, not by the wheel brakes. As revealed in the video, the regenerative energy is charged into a large-capacity lithium-ion battery.
The powerful deceleration means that more energy can be recovered, giving the driver a longer driving range. Antonelli, the 18-year-old from Italy who showed off his brilliant snow driving skills in the video, is set to step up to F1 as George Russell’s teammate in the 2025 season.
