Mercedes Unveils Electric CLA Concept at Munich Motor Show
September 04, 2023Mercedes has revealed its electric CLA concept ahead of the Munich Motor Show. This sleek four-door coupe showcases the design of the upcoming production model. It features a distinctive shark nose front end with an illuminated grille and unique headlights. The vehicle boasts slender illuminated strips along its body, adding a stylish touch, particularly when not lit.
The concept includes a gracefully sloping roofline, streamlined bodywork, and an extended wheelbase for a more spacious rear passenger area. Flush-mounted door handles and eye-catching 21-inch wheels further enhance its streamlined appearance. The rear end of the car is curvaceous, and an illuminated glass roof with animated stars adds to its charm.
Inside, the cabin boasts a minimalist and tech-infused elegance. Five displays dominate the dashboard, with the central three running on the all-new MB.OS operating system, powered by a water-cooled NVIDIA chip. The operating system allows for extensive customization, features a virtual assistant, and even includes a private art gallery for NFT wallet images.
Circular displays integrated into turbine-style air vents provide a unique design element and ambient lighting. The concept also includes two-tone nappa leather seats, aluminum accents, and a floating center console with illuminated cup holders and a wireless smartphone charger.
Under the hood, the car utilizes Mercedes Modular Architecture (MMA) and offers two battery options. The entry-level battery features lithium-iron phosphate chemistry, while the top-level variant incorporates silicon-oxide content for excellent energy density. Specific details about the battery capacity are not provided, but the car is expected to have an impressive energy consumption of 5.2 mi/kWh and a WLTP range of over 466 miles.
Charging is quick with the car's 800V architecture and 250 kW DC fast charging capability, allowing for up to 248 miles of range in just 15 minutes. The vehicle also supports market-specific bidirectional charging for Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) and Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) functions.
Powering the car is a 235 hp electric motor with exceptional energy efficiency, thanks to careful loss minimization. Additionally, the concept boasts a Level 2 semi-autonomous driving system aided by LiDAR sensors and multiple cameras.
Mercedes CEO Ola Källenius announced plans for an all-electric entry-level vehicle segment, including a four-door coupe, a shooting brake, and two SUVs, with the CLA concept serving as the forerunner. More details about the production model will be revealed in the coming months.
