A concept car unveiled by Mercedes-Benz is slowly approaching production: the CLA Class EV. It has more than one asset in its pocket, in particular its autonomy, much greater than that of a Model 3.
The German brand continues its merry way in its transition to all-electric. After the super limousine, the EQC SUV, the compact SUV and the gigantic monospace-van, and even the electrical terminals installed almost everywhere in the world, it is the turn of the four-door sedan. The CLA Class EV is therefore part of the Mercedes-Benz Modular Architecture range, which will consist of four models: this sedan, two SUVs and a hatchback. The CLA Class EV should thus offer what Mercedes has always been able to do: power in an elegant setting.
Exceptional autonomy
Of a template similar to the thermal Mercedes CLA, its line resembles it in many aspects. However, the brand has maximized its efforts on the vehicle’s aerodynamics. As we know, one of the greatest enemies of a car’s autonomy is air resistance when it is in motion. By reducing the Cx (coefficient of penetration in the air), the drag of the air on the body of the vehicle is minimized, and the energy efficiency is in fact better.
Thus, the CLA Class EV is expected with a rather impressive range of 750 kilometers on a single charge, according to the WLTP standard. In addition to the work on aerodynamics, it is a new generation battery that allows it to display such a high score. The efficiency of the latter is very high, and it has a measured consumption of 12 kWh per 100 kilometers.
Of course, the CLA Class EV supports fast charging at 800 volts. It will be possible to regain 400 kilometers of autonomy with a charge of 15 minutes. The vehicle can also provide energy itself to recharge other electrical devices if needed.
State-of-the-art in-car design and technology
Once is not custom, Mercedes offers a very luxurious interior. Its design is still evolving compared to other electric models and tends to (even more) modernize. What strikes first is the huge screen that runs along the entire dashboard. Called “Hyperscreen”, it is the most striking element of this new interior.
The CLA EV is also expected to come with the Level 3 autonomous driving system, which will be enabled after the vehicle launches through an update. Even if all the details of the equipment are not known to date, we can hope that it is covered with advanced technologies as is the case for its other electric vehicles: advanced driving safety systems, statistics that can be consulted at leisure , head-up display, route prediction or 360 degree camera. It is highly likely, however, that other elements of the concept will not be present at the final release of the vehicle, including perhaps this famous Hyperscreen.
The CLA EV should go into production from 2024 and is part of Mercedes’ grand plan “Ambition 2039”, which aims for full carbon neutrality of its entire production chain within 10 years. However, many gray areas remain on certain very important aspects, in particular its price. Even if this new iteration is supposed to represent the entry level of the brand, there is no doubt that it will be much higher than the Model 3, of which Tesla has just unveiled the new version.
Sources: Engadget, Mobile Auto Guide Web
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