The Mercedes-Benz Concept CLA Class unveiled at IAA Mobility 2023 in Munich, Germany, offers a close-to-production insight into the upcoming family of vehicles that stands at the gateway to the brand.

At the cusp of a new electric and digital age, this represents the company’s vision to elevate this important vehicle class, based on the long-term portfolio strategy, it said.

Designed on the forthcoming Mercedes-Benz Modular Architecture (MMA) platform, the exterior aesthetics of the Concept CLA Class stand for iconic design and dynamic performance. Meanwhile, its interior focuses on the customer experience with exceptional comfort and convenience for an electric and digital future.

“The Concept CLA Class is the forerunner for an entirely new all-electric segment of entry-level vehicles at Mercedes-Benz. The range will comprise a total of four new models – a four-door coupé, a shooting brake and two stunning SUVs – each with significantly elevated product substance. This new model family is inspired by a generation of car buyers who want that unmistakable Mercedes-Benz feel, with more features, even greater comfort and safety and the most advanced technology,” said Ola Källenius, Chief Executive Officer, Mercedes-Benz Group AG.

“They also seek a sustainable choice that is a cut above the rest. This hypermiler is the one-litre car of the electric age, with a range of more than 750 km in the WLTP and energy consumption of just 12 kWh/100 km. Based on the MMA platform, it provides an insight into the first complete family of Mercedes-Benz electric cars developed from scratch to put our Ambition 2039 on the road, whereby we aim to achieve net carbon neutrality along the entire value chain in our fleet of new vehicles in 2039,” Källenius said.

Technology leadership is apparent in the MMA platform underpinnings such as the next-generation electric-drive system aiming for a range of more than 750 km in the WLTP. The Mercedes-Benz Modular Architecture (MMA) is an electric-first platform engineered for a family of four vehicles covering a range of body styles. It is set to play a major role in accelerating the ramp-up of the Mercedes-Benz electric fleet.

As a fundamental part of the wider electric strategy, it will help the company attain its ambitious targets. All vehicles on the MMA platform are being developed in accordance with the Mercedes-Benz “real life safety” philosophy. Mercedes-Benz has set safety standards for decades, pursuing a vision of accident-free driving.

Meanwhile, the new operating system “MB.OS” is the basis for an unparalleled user interface and user experience (UI/UX) via the MBUX Superscreen derived from the innovative display in the VISION EQXX incorporating advanced real-time graphics. The Concept CLA Class showcases the use of sustainable materials throughout its structure and interior. This ranges from almost CO2-free steel and CO2-reduced aluminium to sustainably produced and processed leather upholstery as well as trim made from paper. Overall, the show car represents the approachable interpretation of desire for a youthful and dynamic global market segment.

“The technology that provides the foundation for the Concept CLA Class represents an entirely new approach for Mercedes-Benz and incorporates many learnings from our groundbreaking VISION EQXX technology programme. For instance, our engineers have maximised efficiency by driving down losses in its 800 V electric-drive system. It also features innovative battery cell chemistry as well as a high level of integration enabling excellent energy density. I am certain that our MMA platform will enable us to offer our customers in this market segment a class-defining combination of performance, sustainability, safety and comfort paired with an outstanding digital experience,” said Markus Schäfer, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, Chief Technology Officer.

Concept CLA Class: main points at a glance

• Mercedes Modular Architecture: Highly flexible advanced platform presents the next step in the electric future of Mercedes-Benz.

• Next generation drivetrain: Advanced efficiency features including silicon-carbide inverter and battery-cell chemistry with silicon-oxide anode design for excellent energy density. In-house developed drive unit delivering up to 93 percent energy efficiency from battery to wheels in long-distance driving.

• 750km: Elevating efficiency to the next level with class-leading range. Go further on a single charge.

• Efficiency: The electric hypermiler is the new one-litre car delivering around 12 kWh/100 km (5.2 mi/kWh).

• Charging: 800 V configuration enables rapid top-up of up to 400 km in just 15 minutes

• Iconic elements: Defining the new face of the gateway to Mercedes-Benz with progressive reinterpretation of emotionally charged motifs.

• Enlightening: Creative use of LED illumination and animation is a beacon for electrification and digitalisation.

• VISIONEQXX: Learnings from era-defining technology programme bring many innovations a step closer to series production.

• MBOS: Proprietary chip-to-cloud architecture elevates customer experience with a new level of personalisation, safety, convenience and automated driving.

• MBUX Superscreen: Real-time graphics powered by the Unity Game Engine as pioneered in the VISION EQXX bring the screen to life with immersive worlds.

• Child Presence Detection: MB.OS-based network of more than 20 system interfaces delivers sophisticated safety system aimed at preventing tragic accidents.

• Personalisation: UI/UX delivers digital luxury experience individualised to customer needs through art, entertainment and advanced immersive graphics.

• Hyper Analogue: Fusion of analogue and digital redefines familiar iconic forms to create a seamless transition for the user experience.

• Ambition2039: The first family of Mercedes-Benz vehicles designed from scratch to put Ambition 2039 on the road, reducing value-chain CO2 by more than 40 percent compared to the previous architecture.

• Sustainable Materials: From paper to bamboo, the interior of the Concept CLA Class points the way in the application of innovative new materials.

• Decarbonise: Advances in the steel and aluminium supply chain including recycled content and use of renewable energies targets combined savings of around 400 kg CO2 per vehicle.