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The 2026 Mercedes CLA EV will get 2-speed gearbox
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It additionally sports activities a one-pedal drive mode
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Set to debut in 2025, the CLA EV has no worth but
In the course of a swirl of blowing snow within the Austrian Alps, I grabbed the door deal with of the CLA EV prototype. It clicked and felt strong in my hand. Immediate optimistic impression secured.
As I slid into the camo-covered 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA EV prototype I met my handlers for the subsequent 40 minutes: Timo Stegmaier, senior supervisor of electrical drive techniques for Mercedes, and Tom Steller, a spokesperson for the automaker. Each requested if I used to be chilly solely to be shocked that I wasn’t: “I’m from Minnesota,” I mentioned. ”That is simply one other day.”
After sleeping in a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter RV van on the aspect of the mountain in a single day and driving the 2025 Mercedes-Benz E 53 Hybrid from Stuttgart, Mercedes allowed me to take a seat proper seat in a 2026 Mercedes CLA EV prototype for an extended, revealing session. Right here’s what I discovered.
2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA EV prototype
2026 Mercedes CLA EV feels strong, composed, and refined
My immediate impression of the CLA EV?: This factor is strong. Regardless of being a prototype–I used to be instructed it was a near-production spec automobile–the door shut with a strong thunk. The lined inside didn’t rattle or squeak. The automobile was library quiet regardless of using on Michelin Alpin 5 winter tires. Not even a howl or hum got here into the cabin from the thick tread blocks on the tires. I heard the faintest trace of wind noise from the loopy storm swirling round us as we blasted down the slick highway.
Stegmaier confirmed the prototype was using on a passive metal suspension, however wouldn’t touch upon what choices could also be on deck for the manufacturing automobile. AMG fashions, and perhaps even higher trim ranges, will in all probability sport adjustable dampers. However even with the passive metal suspension the trip was managed.
2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA EV prototype
2026 CLA EV appears fast, focuses on regenerative braking
The prototype I rode in was a dual-motor mannequin using Mercedes’ new EDU 2.0 (Electrical Drive Items 2.0) with silicon-carbide inverters. This mannequin sports activities a 268-hp completely synchronous motor (PSM) mounted within the rear and a 107-hp motor up entrance. Given the circumstances each motors in all probability repeatedly, or darn close to, engaged.
Mercedes hasn’t given official occasions, however a 0-60 mph within the low 4.0-second vary appears attainable.
Regardless of Stegmaier’s heavy foot each on the straights and round corners, the CLA EV prototype remained pointed the place he was going. The brand new ECUs and PCUs all reacted instantaneously to the slick circumstances. The winter tires didn’t appear to interrupt traction, and the automobile at all times remained pointed in the precise course throughout acceleration even with the moment torque—very managed, very spectacular.
I didn’t really feel the brand new in-house designed 2-speed automated transmission shift. The truth is, it was so seamless and clear, I forgot the automobile had a 2-speed transmission. There was loads occurring with the blizzard.
2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA EV prototype
The CLA EV will trip on the automaker’s new MMA devoted EV platform. With that comes a brand new electrical structure, new ECUs, new software program—and, promised, a significantly better regenerative braking system than the lackluster one discovered within the EQE and EQS automobiles. And whereas rivals at Audi and Porsche don’t imagine in one-pedal driving, Mercedes does.
The CLA EV’s regenerative braking nonetheless has its normal three settings together with D-, D, D+—however now there’s additionally a D Auto mode. D- provides one-pedal driving; every step reduces regen from there, till D Auto the place the system routinely adjusts for circumstances. Mercedes engineers in Stuttgart had mentioned the system will, in contrast to right now’s EQE and EQS EV lineup, keep in mind the final chosen mode and keep it up even by way of a key cycle. The brake pedal may even by no means transfer until the motive force touches it—additionally in contrast to the system within the EQE and EQS.
The brand new regenerative braking system is able to as much as 200 kw of recuperation earlier than the friction brakes take over.
That recuperation feeds power again into the 85.0-kwh (usable) battery pack through a future-proofed 800-volt electrical structure. Charging speeds will high out at 320 kw, and Mercedes mentioned the CLA EV can add 186 miles of vary in 10 minutes on a quick charger (translating to about 36 kwh). Charging from 10-80% will take lower than 22 minutes, in keeping with Mercedes. Stage 2 charging will use an 11.0-kwh onboard charger, however charging occasions haven’t been revealed but.
Stegmaier instructed me the CLA EV prototype was in D- mode for regenerative braking. He added the friction brakes by no means engaged as soon as throughout our drive. I needed to take his phrase for it.
The system adjusted to the circumstances even in D- full regen one-pedal mode regardless of the slick snow-covered surfaces. I didn’t really feel traction break one time beneath braking. The automobile by no means bought sideways exterior of Stegmaier messing round on a decent switchback nook, and stability management by no means appeared to engaged.
2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA EV prototype
2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA EV seems again to go ahead
The outside of the CLA EV was lined in camo. However my eyes know what they noticed, and it clearly seems just like the idea automobile proven in 2023. The headlights and taillights even appear to have the Mercedes star in them. Shine brightly, CLA EV.
Contained in the Mercedes group had most the whole lot lined up with black fabric, and requested me to withhold impressions on that for production-ready autos. Right here’s what I can say: The dashboard form is nothing like right now’s Mercedes EVs, which sit excessive and you are feeling as if you happen to’re staring out the cockpit or piloting a ship. The sprint form and placement jogged my memory a whole lot of each the previous Mercedes 190E and W126 period from the late ‘80s and early ‘90s together with the G-Class. The brief sprint tucks as much as the windshield, and makes use of its house effectively.
I didn’t drive the CLA EV, so each impression I’ve is coming from my temporary right-hand seat expertise. Nevertheless it’s clear, even in camo-covered prototype kind and restricted publicity, Mercedes has listened to the suggestions about its present EVs. The CLA EV rights a few of the latest wrongs—and places Mercedes on a transparent path for the electrical future.
Mercedes-Benz paid for journey and lodging in order that we may deliver you this check drive assessment.
