Mercedes reveals its new electric estate
The new CLA Shooting Brake is the estate version of the recently unveiled CLA Saloon with its sporty shark-nosed design – but all the real action is in the back and in the roof as it remains identical up the B-pillar. The long low-slung electric Shooting Brake combines the sporty proportions of a four-door coupe with more load-lugging cargo space with a stretched roofline drooping towards the large tailgate at the rear. Although no official prices have been given for the first EV estates, expect them from around £60,000. The star-studded motor has 142 individually illuminated chrome-look LED stars on the front grille.
There are a further 158 on the estate model's panoramic roof, plus a star on the bonnet and boot, stars on each pair of headlights and rear-tail-lights, one on the steering wheel, and scores more small stars dotted around singly and in clusters inside and outside the car. Mercedes-Benz said: 'The all-new CLA Shooting Brake is the first electric Mercedes-Benz available as an estate. 'It combines the elegance, sportiness and intelligence of the CLA with plenty of space for passengers and luggage as well as a high degree of interior versatility. 'Whether it's a weekly shopping trip, a holiday with the whole family or a weekend trip with friends, it offers space for everything you need.' Here's five things you need to know about Mercedes' new stylish estate.
1. It has an enormous panoramic roof
One of the highlights of the new CLA Shooting Brake is the vast panoramic roof which creates a generous and open feeling of space from the cabin to the stars above. To protect against solar radiation, the roof consists of heat-insulating laminated safety glass with a super-thin coating on the inside that in summer reflects infra-red rays to stop the interior heating up, and in winter reduces heat loss by reflecting the interior heat back into the cabin. This panoramic roof is available with a new optional function which can change the transparency of the glass in 10 to 20 milliseconds – less than the blink of an eye. From the dashboard controls, passengers can choose between transparent for a clear view upwards towards the sky, or a milky opaque if they want more privacy or improved glare protection from direct sunlight.
But Mercedes-Benz says the 'icing on the cake' is that the large panoramic roof - for the first time connected to the car's ambient lighting system - can be illuminated in a chosen colour to create a starry sky with 158 individual stars integrated into its glass surface. The car firm said: 'The starry sky is almost invisible during the day. But in the dark, it surprises with a unique visual experience, especially for the rear passengers. 'It invites you to lean back and relax and also attracts attention from the outside. In combination with the new light signature at the front and rear, the illuminated glass roof gives the CLA Shooting Brake an unrivaled appearance.'
2. Space race
The new CLA estate also promises more space and comfort than its predecessor including more headroom and easier access to the rear thanks to larger door cut-outs. Overall the all-new CLA Shooting Brake is 35mm longer (at 4,723mm) and 27 millimetres higher (at 1,469mm) than the predecessor model, while the wheelbase has increased by 61mm (to 2,790mm). The higher roofline means more headroom in each of the five seats – up 14mm in the front and 7mm in the rear-legroom has increased by 11mm in the front but reduced by 6mm in the rear. It also has 26mm more headroom in the second-row seats than its sibling new CLA saloon. There's also more storage space. Folding rear seats increases the boot volume from 455 litres to up to 1,290 litres. An illuminated front-trunk or 'frunk' under the bonnet adds another 101-litres of storage space. And an electric tailgate is standard. Mercedes-Benz says: 'Surfboards or bicycles fit easily on the roof thanks to the standard roof rails. Their load capacity is 75 kilograms. And a jet ski or two motorcycles can be easily transported on a trailer.'
3. It will exclusive be an EV... to begin with
Two models of the new CLA Shooting Brake will be launched initially, both with 85kWh lithium-ion batteries. The CLA 250+ Shooting Brake with an output of 200 kW accelerates from 0 to 62mph in 6.8 seconds, with a range of up to 472 miles (761 kilometres). The more powerful all-wheel drive 260-kW CLA 350 4MATIC Shooting Brake with two electric motors accelerates from 0 to 62mph in 5.0 seconds with a slightly shorter range of up to 453 miles (730 kilometres). Both cars benefit from a newly developed electric drive system and two speed gearbox on the rear axle which is designed for dynamic driving performance with high efficiency.
First gear allows 'excellent acceleration right from the start' says Mercedes-Benz. Second gear is designed for power delivery at high speeds to boost range and comfort on long journeys. A new one-box braking system optimises the recovery of braking energy and helps increase the range. Almost all braking processes are carried out entirely by recuperation. From early next year, a petrol-electric hybrid version will be launched with 48-volt technology and an electric motor integrated into the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. At inner-city speeds and when less than 20kW is required, the hybrid models can be driven purely electrically. Electric coasting will be possible up to a speed of around 62mph and the engine will be able to recuperate energy in all eight gears.
4. Physical switches return with a 'Superscreen'
A new multifunction steering wheel heralds the return of physical buttons in the form of roller and rocker switches and follows 'numerous customer requests.' There is a rocker switch for the limiter and a roller for volume control. 'Additionally, some functions have been removed from the control panel for better clarity and usability, making the finger navigation pad for controlling the driver display significantly larger and thus easier to operate.' An optional Superscreen extends across the entire width of the interior. This comprises a 26-centimetre (10.25-inch) screen for the driver and a 35.6-centimetre (14-inch) central display located behind glass, while a separate 35.6-centimetre (14-inch) screen is optionally available for the front passenger for individual entertainment. For in-car gaming, the gaming controller can be used with the passenger display while driving. With the central display, this is only possible when the vehicle is parked.
5. Say hi to AI
The fourth generation of Mercedes-Benz User Experience – or 'MBUX' - infotainment system integrates artificial intelligence (AI) from Microsoft and Google. It combines knowledge gathered from the Internet based on ChatGPT4o and Microsoft Bing Search. It means the car's on-board Virtual Assistant 'can conduct complex, multi-part dialogues' and even has 'a short-term memory,' enabling it to continue a conversation at a later date. During an active dialogue, the Virtual Assistant 'even recognises emotions and can react accordingly, just like a good Friend,' says Mercedes-Benz. As a 'living avatar' in the form of the Mercedes-Benz star, it is always present on the centre display.
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