Mercedes-Benz CLA EV Unveiled: 325 km Range in 10 Minutes, Hybrid Version Also Introduced

New Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric Coupe Sedan Unveiled: 325 km Range with Just 10 Minutes of Charging, Hybrid Version Also Introduced; EV Expected to Launch by Late 2025

Mercedes-Benz has officially introduced the third-generation CLA in global markets. The German luxury automaker has unveiled both electric and hybrid models of this entry-level coupe sedan. Notably, this is the first Mercedes model where the electric version was developed first, followed by the hybrid variant built on the same platform.

For the first time, Mercedes-Benz will use the same model name for both the CLA EV and CLA Hybrid. The electric variant is expected to launch in India by late 2025, followed by the hybrid version. According to the company, the Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric Coupe Sedan can travel up to 325 km with just 10 minutes of charging.

Mercedes CEO Ola Källenius has announced that, in an effort to create more parity between electric and combustion models, the price of the hybrid version will be set similarly to the EV.

1. Mercedes-Benz CLA EV

Performance: 0-100 km/h in Just 4.9 Seconds

The CLA EV will be available in two variants – CLA 250+ and CLA 350 4Matic.

The entry-level CLA 250+ will feature a rear-mounted permanent magnet motor producing 272 hp and 335 Nm of torque.
Instead of the conventional single-speed reduction gearing, the CLA EV will use a Porsche Taycan-style two-speed gearbox. With this powertrain, the CLA 250+ can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 6.7 seconds.
The CLA 350 4Matic will have an electric motor on the rear axle and a single-speed gearbox on the front axle. Combined, these motors will generate 354 hp and 515 Nm of torque, enabling the car to reach 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.9 seconds.
Both variants have a top speed of 210 km/h.

Range: Outperforms Mercedes’ Flagship EQS Sedan

The CLA EV will come with EQ technology and be powered by an 85 kWh nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) battery.

On a full charge, the CLA 250+ will offer a range of 792 km, while the CLA 350 4Matic will provide 770 km.
Interestingly, the CLA 250+ has a longer range than the Mercedes EQS 580, which offers 770 km on a 118 kWh battery pack (WLTP-certified).

Charging Capabilities

The CLA EV will support:

11 kW AC charging, which fully charges the vehicle in 9 hours.
320 kW DC fast charging, allowing the car to be fully charged in just 22 minutes at a fast-charging station.
Ultra-fast charging, providing 275-325 km of range with just 10 minutes of charging.
Later, the CLA EV will also be offered with a 58 kWh lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery pack.

2. Mercedes-Benz CLA Hybrid

Performance: Diesel-Like Fuel Efficiency

Mercedes has also unveiled the hybrid version of the new CLA, available in two variants: CLA 250+ and CLA 350 4Matic.

It will feature a 1.5-liter, four-cylinder petrol engine paired with a 27 hp electric motor.
The front-wheel-drive CLA 250+ variant will generate a combined output of 163 hp.
The all-wheel-drive CLA 350 4Matic variant will produce 191 hp.
A 1.3 kWh lithium-ion battery will power the electric motor, paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Mercedes claims that this hybrid powertrain will offer fuel efficiency comparable to a diesel engine.

Mercedes-Benz CLA Exterior: Sleek, Aerodynamic Design

Mercedes has introduced several aerodynamic enhancements in the new CLA coupe sedan:

The alloy wheels are positioned within the body arches for better aerodynamics.
Small air inlets on the front bumper optimize airflow across all corners.

Increased Dimensions

Compared to its predecessor, the new CLA is larger in size:

Length: 4,723 mm
Width: 1,855 mm
Height: 1,468 mm
Wheelbase: 2,790 mm

This makes the new CLA 25 mm wider, 25 mm taller, and 30 mm longer than the previous model.

The car will offer 405 liters of boot space, while the EV version will have an additional 101 liters of front storage.

Mercedes-Benz CLA Interior & Features

The new CLA’s cabin is sportier than before:

The front seats have chunky side bolsters for improved comfort.
Upholstery options include black and white Alcantara leather with red stitching.
The dashboard features:
- 10.3-inch digital instrument cluster
- 14.0-inch central touchscreen
- 14-inch passenger display
The infotainment system runs on an updated MBUX version, featuring:
- Google Maps navigation
- AI-powered voice search