2025 Mercedes-Benz CLA – brand’s first EV with 800V system; up to 85 kWh; available as 48V hybrid too

Mercedes-Benz has provided early details of the powertrains that will be offered for the third-generation CLA, which is set to be the first model to be built on the Mercedes-Benz Modular Architecture (MMA). The skateboard platform will also be used for three other cars, including a shooting brake and two SUVs.

According to the German carmaker, the CLA will be available as pure electric vehicle (EV) which uses its new-generation Electric Drive Unit (EDU 2.0). This sees a rear-wheel drive layout that was typically reserved for vehicles higher up the class tree, with electric motor rated at 272 PS (268 hp or 200 kW).

All power electronics, including a silicon carbide (SiC) inverter are integrated into a single component to keep things compact. For even better efficiency, the rear EDU 2.0 unit also gets a two-speed transmission, which is not common among EVs that typically opt for a single-speed reduction gear.

The transmission’s first gear (11:1 ratio) is used when accelerating from a standstill and switches to the second gear (5:1 ratio) at higher speeds, with the top speed being 210 km/h. The shift points also take in account the driving situation and the selected driving programme.

To meet the needs of customers who require all-wheel drive, 4Matic variants of the upcoming CLA will add a front-mounted electric motor (with a single-speed reduction gear) providing 109 PS (107 hp or 80 kW). This won’t be active all the time and will only kick into action when the corresponding power or traction is required.

To achieve this, a Disconnect Unit (DCU) is used for the first time for the brand’s entry-level segment to decouple the electric motor on the front axle. Mercedes-Benz says this reduces front axles losses by 90% and helps to increase range, with the target being a WLTP-rated figure of 750 km as per the Concept CLA Class from a year ago. The compact front unit also allows for a frunk.

As for batteries, Mercedes-Benz is offering two cell chemistries to choose from, including a nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) pack with an energy content of 85 kWh (680 Wh/l, 496 kg). The alternative is a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery with 58 kWh (450 Wh/l, 484 kg) – both packs are liquid cooled and have four modules within them.

The CLA will also mark the first time the brand uses an 800V electrical architecture in a production car, which enables super-fast DC charging at up to 320 kW that is claimed to add 300 km of range with just 10 minutes of charging. There’s also AC charging at either 11 kW or 22 kW, and there are plans to add bi-directional charging in future, new entry-level models.

On the daily drive, the CLA can also recuperate up to 200 kW, with four levels accessible by customers: D Car (intelligent recuperation), D+ (coasting, no recuperation), D (standard recuperation up to one metre per second square) and D- (high recuperation up to three metres per second square).

To showcase the capability of the CLA’s electric powertrain, Mercedes-Benz’s Project N saw two close-to-production prototypes cover as much ground as possible within 24 hours on the Nardo high-speed test track in Italy. At the end of testing, a CLA covered exactly 3,717 km with 40 charging stops, each one lasting around 10 minutes. If these are taken into account, the average speed was 154.9 km/h.

Impressive as that may be, there are those who are not ready to go fully electric. As such, Mercedes-Benz is covering that customer base by offering the new CLA as hybrid with a 48V system. At the heart of this setup is the M252 from the company’s FAME (Family of Modular Engines) line-up.

The M252 runs on the Miller cycle (12:1 compression ratio) and has a displacement of 1.5 litres, with three power levels offered: 136 PS (134 hp or 100 kW), 163 PS (161 hp or 120 kW) and 190 PS (188 hp or 140 kW). Paired to the engine is a new eight-speed dual-clutch transmission dubbed 8F-eDCT, which has an integrated electric motor rated at 27 PS (27 hp or 20 kW).

The electric motor provide support at low speeds and enables electric coasting at a speed of up to around 100 km/h. It also acts to fire up the engine, meaning there’s no need for a conventional pinion starter and the start-stop function is almost imperceptible for the driver. A special feature being touted is the engine can recuperate in all eight gears to recover up to 25 kW of energy.

All that energy is fed to a 48V lithium-ion battery with an energy capacity of 1.3 kWh. For efficient packaging, the battery cells and the DC/DC converter are integrated in what is known as a flat pack that is tucked under the driver’s seat (left-hand drive). As an option, customers can also choose to have a mechanical 4Matic all-wheel drive system.

The new CLA is expected to go on sale sometime next year, and we will likely get even more details as we approach its official debut date.

GALLERY: 2025 Mercedes-Benz CLA prototype

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