Entry-Level Mercedes Gets Cutting Edge Tech
In the combustion-engine era, Mercedes-Benz has consistently been a technical leader. Arguably the inventor of the gasoline automobile as we know it, the German company pioneered many technologies that made gas cars better, more powerful, and more efficient. In the electric age, however, Mercedes-Benz, as well as other legacy automakers, have been playing catch-up with startup companies such asLucid, Rivian, and Tesla. That, says Mercedes, is about to change, with the arrival of the new CLA next year, a brand-new car that will offer fully electric power as well as a hybrid drivetrain, both of which are promised to offer next-level performance, technology, and efficiency.
Contrary to Mercedes’ usual strategy of introducing new technology in its flagship models, and then trickling it down through the lineup, the latest Mercedes-Benz electrified tech will debut on the CLA, which is one of the brand’s entry-level vehicles. It is the first model built on the company’s Mercedes-Benz Modular Architecture (MMA), the heart of which is a so-called “skateboard” chassis whose floor assembly incorporates all of the drive and chassis components. Key features of the architecture are new, hyper-efficient drive units, an 800-volt architecture, a two-speed transmission, and the latest electronics.
All-New Electric Drive Units
The new CLA has been developed from the start with an 800-volt electric architecture (instead of the industry-standard 400-volt architecture, which is even used on Mercedes’ most expensive EVs like the EQS sedan and SUV). This means that wiring can be thinner and lighter, improving efficiency and performance, and that charging speed on compatible fast chargers can be a lot faster. Indeed, Mercedes promises a fast-charging speed of 320 kW and the ability to add up to 186 miles (or 300 km) of range in just 10 minutes.
All-new electric drive units are based on the groundbreaking technology of Mercedes’ Vision EQXX concept car, a range and efficiency champion that set numerous records for electric endurance. Instead of being bought from an outside supplier, the new drive units have been developed in-house at Mercedes-Benz. The entry-level CLA for North America will feature a 200-kW (or 286 hp) permanently-excited synchronous drive unit powering the rear axle.
A silicon carbide inverter is integrated into the drive unit as a single component. The motor’s magnets are arranged in a double-V shape, and stretched coils are wound around the stator to contribute to smooth, quiet operation as well as power and efficiency. Mercedes claims that the new drive unit uses significantly less rare earth materials than previous generations, improving sustainability.
Mercedes CLA EV Range
A two-speed transmission, usually only found in the most expensive EVs like the Porsche Taycan and Audi e-tron GT, has also been incorporated into the CLA to improve both performance and efficiency. It allows for faster acceleration, a higher top speed, and more efficient cruising than the single-speed transmission found in most EVs. Claimed battery-to-wheel efficiency is a staggering 93 percent.
Mercedes claims that the new CLA will deliver a range of 466 miles (750 km) on the European WLTP cycle, which is generally more optimistic than the U.S. EPA range estimates. European standards incorporate more highway driving so we’d expect somewhere between 350 and 400 miles in the U.S.
Like the current CLA, the new CLA will also be available with 4Matic all-wheel drive as an option. A second motor, installed at the front, producing 80 kW (or 107 hp) provides additional performance and traction when needed, but it can be electronically disconnected to improve efficiency.
High-Tech Battery in the Mercedes CLA
The CLA will launch with a “premium” battery with 85 kWh of capacity. That’s quite a bit smaller than the 100+ kWh batteries installed in Mercedes’ larger EQE and EQS models, while delivering significantly more range, highlighting the overall efficiency of the new vehicle.
Indeed, the battery itself is a lot more efficient, with anodes that incorporate silicon oxide as well as graphite. Mercedes says that these silicon-graphite anodes allow the battery to be 20 percent more energy-dense than previous-generation batteries. That means it’s lighter, uses less expensive raw materials like cobalt, and delivers superior performance.
The CLA’s new battery architecture should also be easier to repair in the rare case of a crash. Many EVs have to be written off if their battery is damaged in an accident. But the new CLA’s battery is composed of four flat, modular cell modules enclosed in hard cases, meaning that they can be repaired and that will help keep insurance premiums lower.
Software also plays a role in the battery’s impressive efficiency. New intelligent regenerative braking can capture a peak of 200 kW under deceleration, meaning that almost all braking can be carried out using regen instead of the car’s mechanical brakes. In fact, Mercedes says that the vehicle can come to a complete stop using regen alone, and that regenerative braking is even possible when the ABS is activated, or on icy roads. The gear selector lever, positioned behind the steering wheel, will allow drivers to adjust the level of regen with a simple push or pull.
Tech to Optimize Efficiency
The new CLA and its relatives will feature a new air-to-air heat pump as standard, eliminating the traditional water circuit to reduce weight and complexity. The heat pump scavenges waste heat from the drive units, from the battery, and from the ambient air to warm up the cabin efficiently, without being a big electrical draw. This keeps the CLA’s range good even in winter conditions.
Drivers will find the latest navigation system with “electric intelligence,” which plots the fastest and most convenient route to a destination including charging stops. The navigation takes numerous factors into account, and can dynamically adjust for traffic jams, changes in driving style, and even wind conditions. It balances out all of the car’s energy requirements, as well as data about charging stations, their capacity, and payment, to find the best place to charge.
Mercedes-Benz CLA Hybrid
While Mercedes is leaning hard into an all-electric future, the company acknowledges that not all markets will electrify at the same rate. That’s why the MMA architecture can also accommodate efficient hybrid drive.
The CLA hybrid will feature a new generation of efficient gasoline engines, an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, a 20-kW/27-hp electric motor integrated into the transmission, and 48-volt electric technology. Total power output of the gas engine and electric motor will be 187 hp for North American CLA hybrids.
What’s impressive about the system is that, despite being a “mild” hybrid with a relatively small electric motor, the new CLA will be able to drive all-electric at urban speeds, as well as cruise at higher speeds with the four-cylinder gasoline engine turned off. A 1.3-kWh lithium-ion battery and efficient motor and inverter mean that the CLA can drive in electric mode up to 62 mph.
Future Mercedes-Benz Models to Come
The new CLA is just the first of a whole slew of new Mercedes-Benz models that will be built on its brand-new electric architecture. The company has already announced that the CLA is the first of three entry-level models; the four-door sedan will be joined by two small SUVs. We can expect larger vehicles, with more power, and larger batteries, to follow in the future.
