Star-spangled Mercedes Concept CLA previews super-efficient next-gen EVs

Yes, the slightly half-baked first-step into the EV space that was the EQC is firmly in the rear-view mirror of this Concept CLA. Its MMA (Modular Mercedes Architecture) promises outstanding improvements in all areas of measurement for an EV that should trouble legacy and newcomer rivals, from BMW to Tesla. 

Over 466 miles of range is delivered thanks to the CLA’s 235PS (173kW) motor sipping juice at 5.2m/kWh. The battery pack is lighter and charges quicker (248 miles in 15 minutes, no less) thanks in part to the 800-volt architecture, while the whole powertrain is vastly more efficient than what’s come before, thanks to learnings and tech from the incredible, ultra-efficient EQXX prototype. 

MMA should underpin a selection of entry-point models to the brand, offering all- or rear-wheel-drive and being available with two different battery types – Li-ion or a new silicon-oxide anode design. All in, it’s claimed the next-generation drive unit can achieve 93 per cent efficiency from battery to wheels.

Concept CLA design – we get it, it’s a Mercedes…

The silhouette is quite nice, we think. There’s a correctness to it that we first saw in the original ‘banana’ CLS that Mercedes hasn’t quite managed since then. As has been promised and indeed executed on some models already, Mercedes’ simpler approach to surfacing is present and correct, with the car’s bodywork topography flowing rather than peaking and troughing. 

Two very distinct body lines extend from the front and rear lights which, we have to say, look a little cheesy with that three-pointed star light signature. Especially in combination with what we would estimate are a thousand other Mercedes logos across the wheels, roof and grille. Hopefully those lights don’t make production, nor the star-spangled sand dollar wheels.

Inside the Mercedes Concept CLA

Goggles on when you look inside, for the Mercedes Concept CLA's cabin is lit like an Amsterdam shop window. Tune that out however and you see the benefits of a flat-floor platform laid bare, with a nice open and practical lower area, sat below an integrated width-spanning suite of screens Mercedes has dubbed the MBUX Superscreen. 

That screen sits proud of a metallic grille-looking dash insert that’s almost reminiscent of a jukebox in a ‘60s American diner. The screen has an almost iPhone 4-like metallic edge all around while at both ends there are delightful rotary controls encircling temperature displays. Powering the Superscreen is MBOS, with customisability, productivity and connectivity the priorities. The Superscreen is, as we’ve seen with other Mercedes, made up of three separate displays – driver, infotainment and passenger.

Concept CLA: another step towards carbon neutrality

Mercedes has made a lot of noise about how the Concept CLA is very much in line with its Ambition 2039 drive towards carbon neutrality. To that end, the motors use almost no rare earth metals, while the cabin and construction are full of innovative secondary recycled and sustainable materials. The interior, for instance, features a recycled cellulose and hemp paper material that’s targeted for production use.

The batteries are made in a net carbon neutral way while the MMA platform overall uses a great deal more CO2-reduced aluminium. Mercedes reckons one third of the aluminium used in the coming entry-point EV generation will be produced with renewable energy. 

So what do we think of the Concept CLA and the next generation of small electric Mercedes it previews? Well, behind the cheesy stuff lays some compelling engineering and design. An EQ CLA with 450 miles of range, a less flashy version of that cabin and a 99 per cent reduction in three-pointed stars in its design sounds rather good to us.