Mercedes-Benz concept EV offers rapid charging and Tesla-beating range

Mercedes-Benz has unveiled its “close-to-production” Idea CLA Class EV, boasting of very lengthy vary and speedy charging by way of an 800-volt structure. The four-door sedan is the primary within the firm’s line of Mercedes-Benz Modular Structure (MMA) EVs, which is able to embody a taking pictures brake and a pair of SUVs. Although it was unveiled as an idea at Munich’s IAA Mobility motor present, the CLA Class is slated to enter manufacturing as an actual EV in late 2024. 

MMA was conceived for the automaker’s entry-level CLA Class automobiles as an all-new “electrical first” design. The idea is sort of precisely the identical measurement as the corporate’s present CLA sedan at 185 inches lengthy and has a tender egg-like form designed to maneuver by the air as cleanly as doable (the hood is longer than different EVs, as Mercedes might supply it with ICE engines as effectively). It additionally has quite a lot of idea automotive particulars (bizarre wheels, LED lighting, and so on.) that probably will not make the ultimate reduce. 

The CLA Class is much less about brute energy than different Mercedes-Benz EVs (no efficiency figures have been shared), focusing as a substitute of effectivity and charging speeds. To that finish, it makes use of an 800-volt structure and a single rear-mounted 235HP motor borrowed from the Imaginative and prescient EQXX idea (with “near zero %” uncommon earth supplies). It additionally has a brand new heat-pump to maintain the batteries (and occupants) heat within the winter, as chilly air can severely impression EV vary, together with a two-speed transmission. 

With all that, the Idea CLA Class can obtain 466 miles of WLPT vary (round 400 miles in EPA phrases) — a stellar effectivity of round 150 MPGe. It should additionally permit drivers so as to add round 200 miles of vary in simply quarter-hour. Mercedes did not give the battery measurement, nevertheless it’s probably underneath 100 kWh. Additionally aiding in that effectivity is a battery design with anodes containing silicon-oxide to enhance power density. The corporate will even supply a much less environment friendly and lowered kWh lithium-iron phosphate choice at a decrease value. 

The within has quite a lot of concept-car fluff that probably will not see the sunshine of day, together with a water-cooled processor on the ground, silver-colored leather-based seats, an engraved moonroof and a dashboard-wide “Superscreen” with few bodily controls. Nonetheless, the manufacturing model is prone to have some design touches in step with different Mercedes-Benz EQ electrical fashions and a comparatively luxe inside.

One other characteristic slated to look within the electrical CLA manufacturing mannequin is Degree 3 automated driving. It will not be accessible at launch, however the EV can have all of the sensors required to allow the characteristic down the street by way of over-the-air (OTA) updates. Extra particulars are set to reach within the coming months, like battery measurement, ultimate vary and charging numbers and, most significantly, the worth. But when Mercedes can persist with what it stated, the CLA may put up a very good combat in opposition to Tesla’s EVs.