Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class News

According to a new report from Autocar, which quotes industry insiders, Mercedes won’t be discontinuing its affordable range of A-Class hatchbacks when the current model ends production.As part of a wider reversal of electric-only plans by Europe’s automakers, a new A-Class hatch will be built on the same new MMA platform, which underpins the upcoming CLA sedan that was revealed in March of 2025, and is due in Australia in 2026.It was previously thought the A-Class hatch would be discontinued purely in favour of a GLA replacement based on the CLA, as the brand had aspirations to head more upmarket, chasing profitability over its more mainstream range of cars.However, these plans appear to have been reversed as Mercedes (among other European automakers) face multiple challenges both when it comes to electrification, and the threat of new China-based manufacturers challenging them on their own home turf and abroad.The MMA platform, which is said to be electric-first, will also be key to the model, as it offers both electric and hybrid drivetrain options (as opposed to a dedicated EV platform), which will broaden the model’s appeal.Locally, the A-Class is Mercedes’ most attainable model starting at $57,500 (A200) and remains a reasonable seller for the brand, moving 1329 units so far and only outranked by its GLA small, GLC mid-size and GLE large SUVs.The hatchback is down 12 per cent in an environment where Mercedes is up 14 per cent year-on-year.The brand’s expansive range of electric offerings in Australia only count for a few hundred units each, which may be of concern for the brand which is facing stiff competition not just from BMW and its well executed EV strategy and an almost entirely new line-up from Audi, but also new challengers in the form of Zeekr and Denza, the latter from BYD is due before the end of the year.While nothing is known about the A-Class replacement so far, don’t expect it to stray too far from the comparatively conservative design of the recently-revealed CLA sedan, as Mercedes seemingly doubles down on its current design direction. The CLA is slightly larger in every dimension than its predecessor, so expect that to continue, while larger screens adorn the interior.The fully electric CLA features an 800-volt architecture with a long driving range (up to 792km) from an 85kWh battery, with a 200kW/335Nm rear-mounted motor in the RWD version, with an additional 80kW on the front axle for total outputs of 260kW/515Nm in the all-wheel drive version.Meanwhile the hybrid version features a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine mated to an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic, driving either the front or all four wheels.Stay tuned for more on Mercedes MMA-based roll-out plans in the near future.

Mercedes-Benz has kicked off the new financial year with value-add special edition versions of its key small and medium hatch, sedan and SUV models claimed to add up to $4800 worth of extra features at no additional cost.

Mercedes-Benz has moved to correct a major blunder on its new CLA EV that would have made its 800-volt architecture incompatible with 400-volt chargers.

As the first Mercedes-Benz in history to be launched with 800-volt ultra-fast charging architecture, the next-gen electric CLA promised big things when it was unveiled earlier this year.

Mercedes-Benz has revealed its all-new CLA, the brand’s most technologically advanced EV yet.

Mercedes-Benz has announced it will deliver price parity between its upcoming CLA sedan, which will be offered with the option of an electric or hybrid powertrain.Speaking to Autocar UK, Mercedes’ CEO, Ola Källenius, said 30 per cent cost savings in battery production meant a 15 per cent reduction in the electric version’s pricing, meaning it will have “roughly similar pricing” to the petrol-hybrid version.In Australia, Mercedes doesn’t currently offer a hybrid and electric car in the same vehicle class, making it difficult to speculate on any potential cost savings.The brand will reveal its new entry-level electric sedan, which is built on its new Mercedes-Benz Modular Architecture (MMA) platform, in Europe by the middle of this year, with the hybrid version to follow later in the year.Four new models will be built on the MMA platform, including a saloon and shooting brake version of the CLA in both electric and hybrid powertrains, as well as expected replacements for the GLA/EQA and GLB/EQB.The German automotive icon is betting big on the MMA platform, which it hopes will account for a quarter of its sales once all its models have been launched, which is equivalent to roughly 600,000 units worldwide when factoring in last year’s global sales of roughly 2.4 million cars.It first previewed the MMA platform on the CLA concept car it unveiled at the Munich motor show in 2023, which is based on the 2022 Vision EQXX concept car that Mercedes drove from Sindelfingen to Cassis – a 1000km journey – on a single charge.Mercedes has already revealed the CLA will feature two battery pack options, a 58kWh lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) unit, good for approximately 600km of range, while top-spec variants will get a more energy dense 85kWh silicon-oxide-anode unit that pushes 700km.800-volt charging architecture is expected, which Mercedes claims can add 400km of range in just 15 minutes on the concept version. It is unclear, however, whether variants with smaller LFP batteries will also benefit from the more advanced charging architecture.A compact Electric Drive Unit (EDU 2.0) will be the heart of the electric CLA, which is a derivative of the unit that powered the Vision EQXX concept.The EDU 2.0 will convert power from the battery to a 200kW electric motor mounted on the front axle via a two-speed transmission (similar to what is offered on a Porsche Taycan). A second 80kW motor will be fitted to the front axle on all-wheel drive versions.Mercedes is targeting an efficiency rating of 12kWh/100km, which would comfortably exceed the claimed peak ratings of a Tesla Model 3 (13.2kWh/100km) a BMW i4 (16.1kWh/100km), a Hyundai Ioniq 6 (14.3kWh/100km) and a BYD Seal (16.6kWh/100km).Powering the hybrid, on the other hand, will be a newly-developed 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine, paired with a 1.3kWh battery unit, an electric motor, a 48-volt electrical system and an eight-speed electric dual-clutch transmission.Three power outputs are expected to be provided from the petrol engine, 100kW, 120kW and 140kW, not including the power from the electric motor.More information is expected following the next-generation CLA’s reveal later this year. It is poised to launch in Australia some time in the first half of next year.

Mercedes-Benz is closing in on the global launch of its all-new CLA sedan (due in early 2025) and in the final stages of pre-production testing has used it to set a new 24-hour distance record for an EV at the epic Nardò test track in southern Italy.

Mercedes-Benz and, more specifically, its AMG department, are well known for producing excellent engines, so why is the German marque looking to China for new powertrains?

Mercedes Benz Australia has issued a statement to media correcting a previous claim its ‘200’ variants across A-Class, GLA, GLB and CLA would feature the brand’s 48-volt electrification.The brand’s local arm has confirmed facelifted entry models in the ‘200’ drivetrain category do not feature the tech, known to many as ‘mild-hybrid’, which it says affects emissions ratings previously claimed.It also says the models will feature a different engine tune if built after a certain date, meaning those built earlier have engines that produce only 250Nm rather than the claimed 270Nm. While the CLA200 isn’t affected by the latter issue of the engine change, the A200 in both hatch and sedan, GLA200 and GLB200 now come with different specifications than originally claimed based on production timing.Tables with details of timing and specifications based on updated information provided by Mercedes-Benz Australia is available at the bottom of this story.Importantly, the fuel consumption figures from the mislabeled engines are different from advertised. For example, cars fitted with 250Nm engines are likely to have been using less fuel and emitting less CO2 than claimed.A Mercedes-Benz Australia spokesperson told CarsGuide the omission of the 48-volt system for Australia was “due to changes in the production schedule”.Original 250Nm engine from launch of facelift models:Updated 270Nm engine:

Mercedes-Benz Australia has confirmed pricing and specification for upgraded versions of its CLA compact four-door coupe models, including performance-focused Mercedes-AMG variants.