Latest news with #CLA-Class
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Don't Cry Because the Mercedes-Benz A-Class Is Dead. Celebrate What Killed It.
While U.S. markets lost the Mercedes A-Class in 2022, the German automaker recently announced it wouldn't renew the A-Class lineup—full stop—after its lifecycle expires in 2026. The move is likely to refocus the brand's portfolio toward more popular vehicles like SUVs and crossovers. To many, the A-Class was just an average five-door hatchback made slightly nicer by the Germans. For car enthusiasts, though, the compact car rapidly evolved into one of the best hot hatchbacks on the market: the A45 AMG. The CLA-Class will now be the entry point into the Mercedes brand. Instead of mourning the loss of the A-Class, let's look at the clever engineering that brought the CLA-class into the modern era. In 2024, Mercedes forecasted EVs would make up 50 percent of its total shipments by 2030. Things have since changed dramatically, as the German automaker is experiencing a much weaker and slower response to EVs from customers. Along with ditching its 'EQ' line of electric vehicles, the brand is sticking to electrifying existing models in its portfolio, starting with the CLA-Class. I'm pleased to report that the new third-generation CLA-Class—likely launching for the 2026 model year—will retain an internal combustion variant. In fact, expect the new lineup to arrive with three powertrain configurations: a 1.5-liter mild hybrid, single-motor electric, and dual-motor electric. Mercedes-Benz ditched the 'electric or bust' approach that many automakers were opting for previously. In covering all the bases, the new third-generation CLA-class will be available with battery electric and hybrid powertrains. It might sound fairly easy to tick that box, but the engineering muscle behind the new CLA would likely tell you otherwise. For context, Mercedes designed a whole new platform from the ground up with the flexibility to accommodate EV and hybrid powertrains. The Mercedes-Benz Modular Architecture (MMA) platform features a 'skateboard' layout with affordances for a long and thin battery under the passenger compartment; the full electric version will be available with a single-motor rear-wheel drive configuration (producing 268 horsepower) or a dual-motor all-wheel drive variant with an additional motor at the front adding another 107 hp. Mercedes' claim that the CLA is its cleverest car yet rings true for a lot more than just the electric variant. The MMA architecture will also be able to accept an internal-combustion engine under the hood; the gas-burning spec will feature a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine up front, paired to a 48-volt hybrid system. And you might recognize that Mercedes built a whole new engine from the ground up just for this car. Dreaming up a powerplant that runs a 12:1 compression ratio and can accept 26 pounds of boost, you'd probably think the new CLA could be a bit of a firebreather. Unfortunately, thanks to lambda 1 regulations requiring a constant 1:1 air-fuel ratio, the four-cylinder can only cough up 188 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. Thankfully, the mild hybrid system can recuperate some of these losses—27 horsepower to be exact. That might not sound like a lot, but the return from many of these hybrid systems is worth more than the sum of their parts; the Mercedes unit provides assistance through all eight gears to give the engine some extra pep. The electric motor is mounted within the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission to seamlessly step in when the internal combustion engine isn't at its best. For context, these mild hybrid systems fill in the gaps between gear changes and are able to muscle through low-speed acceleration. While the third-generation CLA can accommodate piston power up front, Mercedes-Benz mentioned an 'electric-first' approach with its new MMA platform, which will likely need to last well into 2030 and beyond. Customers can expect Mercedes' latest electric vehicle to start at $55,000 and max out around $65,000. It hasn't been confirmed if the CLA EV will qualify for the $7,500 federal tax credit, but all signs point to yes. You Might Also Like The Do's and Don'ts of Using Painter's Tape The Best Portable BBQ Grills for Cooking Anywhere Can a Smart Watch Prolong Your Life?
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
The New Mercedes-Benz CLA Previews the Marque's Exciting Electric Future
Mercedes-Benz's next generation of electric vehicles is finally here. The German luxury marque unveiled the latest version of the CLA-Class sedan on Thursday. The sleek four-door will only be available as an EV at launch and offers up a preview of what to expect from the marque's battery-powered models going forward. More from Robb Report Brad Pitt's New 'F1' Movie Just Got Its First Full Trailer A 400-Year-Old London Home With a 100-Foot Walled Garden Just Listed for $14.1 Million This $12.5 Million Beachfront Home in Florida Is Tucked Into a 29-Foot-Tall Sand Dune Mercedes has been teasing the new CLA since 2023, when it first appeared in concept form. That may seem like a lot of time and effort to spend hyping up an entry-level vehicle, but the sedan is also the first car built on the new Mercedes-Benz Modular Architecture (MMA) platform. The flexible technology—it was designed to be compatible with multiple powertrain types—will provide the underpinning for several vehicles in the years to come, including the next-generation GLA and GLB SUVs. Thanks to the new platform, the CLA is Mercedes's most advanced EV yet. Two versions will be available at launch, the 250+ and 350 4Matic. The first has a single-motor, rear-wheel drive setup that makes 268 hp and 247 ft lbs of torque, while the latter has a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive setup that makes 349 hp and 380 ft lbs of torque (both models feature a two-speed transmission designed to improve efficiency). Those aren't exactly performance specs that get the heart racing, but they're decent for a more accessible EV. The 250+ can accelerate from zero to 60 in 6.6 seconds, the 350 4Matic in 4.8 seconds, and both top out at 130 mph. Another version, with a hybrid powertrain, will launch in the future. Driving range is just as important as acceleration or top speed when it comes to everyday EVs, and it's there that the CLA shines. The 250+ travels an estimated 492 miles on a charge and the 350 4Matic 479 miles. Those numbers were reached using Europe's more forgiving WLTP testing cycle, but the EPA estimate should be over 400 miles in both cases. The MMA platform's 800-volt technology will also allow for DC fast charging at speeds of up to 320 kW. This would theoretically allow drivers to add up to 200 miles of range with a 10-minute charge. The CLA's new design is just as impressive. The production version looks almost identical to the concept, which is a very good thing. The four-door is sleek but has a more aggressive and athletic look than the company's current, blob-like EVs. We're especially fond of the illuminated grille, which surrounds the three-pointed star with light-up elements. The redesigned interior is just as sharp. The front features a trio of displays—a digital gauge cluster, the infotainment system, and an optional passenger screen—that span the length of the dashboard. There's also a standard panoramic glass roof, which provides more headroom for those sitting in the back. Because it is a Mercedes, the sedan comes with a long list of premium material and trim options, as well. The new CLA is set to go on sale later this year. Mercedes has yet to announce pricing for the sedan, but something in the neighborhood of its current $45,000 starting price doesn't seem out of the question, according to The New York Times. The hybrid model is expected to follow sometime next of Robb Report The 2024 Chevy C8 Corvette: Everything We Know About the Powerful Mid-Engine Beast The World's Best Superyacht Shipyards The ABCs of Chartering a Yacht Click here to read the full article.
