Mercedes-Benz CLA
Debuting as an EV that surpasses conventional standards
The new CLA will feature the EDU 2.0 (Electric Drive Unit 2.0), which incorporates various technologies from the Vision EQXX. It will achieve performance that far exceeds that of conventional EVs, including a cruising range of over 700 km.
The all-electric powertrain that will be installed in the new Mercedes-Benz CLA will incorporate all of Mercedes-Benz’s electrification technologies accumulated over many years.
The latest electric platform, MMA (Mercedes-Benz Modular Architecture), will be the first to feature the electric drive unit “EDU 2.0 (Electric Drive Unit 2.0)” as the first of Mercedes-Benz’s new generation EVs. MMA can flexibly accommodate different wheelbases and body styles, such as a four-door coupe (CLA class), shooting brake (wagon), SUV, and crossover, so various body variations are expected to be released following the CLA.
The EDU 2.0 is equipped with a high-performance power electronics “SiC inverter” to achieve efficient energy utilization. The all-wheel drive “4MATIC” model is equipped with an 80kW drive unit on the front axle, which also uses a “SiC inverter.”
The 800V system and silicon carbide (SiC) inverter featured in the Vision EQXX concept car, which focuses on range, are also being introduced for the first time. The compact 200kW electric drive unit with a permanent magnet synchronous motor (PSM) on the rear axle is all developed in-house by Mercedes-Benz.
The Concept CLA-Class, unveiled in 2023, is aiming for a range of 750 km (WLTP cycle), which will be excellent not only in catalog data but also in real-world traffic conditions. The two-speed gearbox mounted on the rear axle main drive not only improves efficiency but also enables unprecedented dynamic driving performance.
A 15-minute charge time will give you a range of 300km
The new CLA is the first Mercedes-Benz EV to use an 800V electric architecture, and models equipped with a high-capacity battery achieve a range of 300km with just 15 minutes of charging.
The new CLA is the first Mercedes-Benz to adopt an 800V electric architecture. When combined with the premium version’s battery, high-power DC charging of up to 320kW is possible, enabling a range of up to 300km with just 15 minutes of charging. As a result of prioritizing time efficiency, the CLA pre-series prototype has already achieved a record-breaking range, covering 3,717km in 24 hours at the Nardo proving ground in southern Italy.
The new CLA, developed based on the “MMA,” is available with two battery types. The premium version battery cell, with a usable energy capacity of 85 kWh, has silicon oxide added to the graphite anode (the electrode through which current flows from the external circuit). This improves weight energy density by up to 20% compared to conventional graphite anode batteries.
A newly designed crash concept has been introduced in which the battery housing is now integrated into the vehicle structure. In addition to the battery, high-voltage (HV) cables and other HV components are designed and protected to meet Mercedes-Benz’s strict safety requirements in the event of an accident.
