The lessons learned from the EQXX concept are clearly paying off. Part of the technology developed for this demonstrator has indeed been used for the Mercedes CLA Class concept prefiguring an ultra-efficient 4-door sedan, the final version of which should be presented at the end of 2024 for a marketing scheduled for 2025.
The figures announced by the Swabian engineers are impressive, with in particular an energy efficiency of 93% between the battery and the wheels. A record value obtained thanks to an inverter using silicon carbide to reduce heat losses, but also to a two-speed gearbox to keep the 175 kW (238 hp) electric motor in its optimum operating range. Result: a consumption of 12 kWh / 100 km which should allow the future CLA to exceed 750 kilometers of autonomy for a charge.
The electric machine remains classic, of the synchronous type with permanent magnets, but the latter would contain practically no more rare earths, such as neodymium. The other innovation concerns the cells of the lithium ion battery whose silicon anodes would make it possible to increase the energy density. Combined with a voltage of 800V, this characteristic will also allow very fast recharges of up to 250 kW of power, and therefore restore up to 400 kilometers of autonomy in just fifteen minutes. Finally, these cells are no longer bolted but glued to the battery casing, which reduces its mass while improving its rigidity.
Inside, if the CLA does not take over the “hyperscreen” introduced by the EQS in 2021, it is inspired by it with a “superscreen” consisting of a single large screen running over almost the entire width of the board board failing to go down to the center console. The 4-door sedan expected in early 2025 will be followed by three other derivatives of the same MMA platform, a 5-door shooting station wagon, and two SUVs. The launch versions of these models will have to be content with two-wheel drive, but more powerful all-wheel-drive versions with two motors should also be offered later. The prices of this future CLA have not been announced at this stage.
