Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class News

Mercedes-AMG has made the bold decision to remove the internal combustion engine from its CLA45 coupe-style compact performance car and replace it with a trio of electric motors derived from those found in the Mercedes-AMG GT 4-door Coupé.Boasting 500kW/1759Nm and 0-100km/h acceleration in a blistering 2.7 seconds, the new CLA45 4Matic+ is powered by two axial flux motors on the rear axle and one on the front with adaptive suspension and active aero standard across sedan and Shooting Brake (wagon) variants.The obvious elephant in the room is engine noise, or by definition, the lack of it, with prior iterations of AMG 45 models known and loved by owners for their rasping engine sound and throaty exhaust note.Mercedes-AMG believes it has that significant base covered with the AMGForce S+ setting.Positioning it as “combustion engine emotion at the touch of a finger”, the engineering boffins in Affalterbach say this driving mode “delivers an authentic, AMG typical combustion engine experience with the characteristic sound of a high-performance AMG four-cylinder engine.”“Coupled with a haptic, immersive experience, including interruption of traction during simulated gear changes, the result is a driving experience that makes performance intensely tangible,” the car’s launch statement said.Which sounds similar to Hyundai’s N e-Shift system that virtually simulates an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission in its Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6 N models.Mercedes-AMG is at pains to point out “the sound of an original Mercedes-AMG A 45 S four-cylinder engine was meticulously documented using 13 microphones positioned in different locations recording more than 1600 detailed measurements, inside and outside.”The AMG Dynamic+ track-focused package is onboard as is AMG Track Pace which is claimed to “turn every visit to the racetrack into a professional training session.”In terms of day-to-day practicality an 800-volt architecture allows fast-charging of the 94kW lithium-ion battery at up to 330kW (22kW AC) and claimed range is over 670 or 640 kilometres (WLTP) depending on the model. Combined cycle (urban/extra-urban) energy consumption is between 18.7 and 16.5kWh/100km, again depending on model.Active aero includes a rear spoiler on the sedan and roof-edge unit on the wagon. In Eco, Comfort and Sport driving modes, the speed threshold for their activation is 145km/h, while in the AMGForce S+ and Race settings they raise immediately.Standard rims in Germany are 19-inch shod with 245/40 Z-rated rubber at the front and 265/40 at the rear. It’s likely Aussie versions will come with the optional 20s wearing fatter  255/35 and 275/35 tyres.Inside there are four seats only and the latest-gen MBUX multimedia operating system is included. Standard upholstery combines synthetic leather and synthetic microfibre with genuine leather and AMG Performance seats available.Mercedes-Benz Australia told CarsGuide the new CLA45 is set to arrive here in the first half of 2027 with the Sheeting Brake "under consideration" for local sale.For reference, the now superseded 310kW/500Nm internal-combustion CLA45 AMG 4Matic+ was priced at $126,500, before on-road costs.

Mercedes-Benz Australia has locked in the launch of the new CLA Shooting Brake wagon to complement the current sedan body style.This marks the first time the CLA Shooting Brake has hit Australian shores since it was discontinued in 2019, when the second-generation model arrived.A Mercedes-Benz Australia spokesperson has confirmed the new CLA Shooting Brake will launch locally before the end of 2026.It will also be offered with mild-hybrid petrol and electric powertrains that already feature in the CLA sedan, which just launched locally.At this stage local pricing and specifications for the CLA Shooting Brake are yet to be locked in.It’s expected the electric CLA Shooting Brake will be the most affordable electric wagon in Australia by a considerable margin once it arrives.This title currently goes to the Porsche Taycan 4 Cross Turismo at $204,100, before on-road costs, and is followed by the BMW i5 M60 Touring at $219,900, before on-road costs.The CLA sedan line-up currently starts at $66,500, before on-road costs, for the entry-level mild-hybrid petrol trim. The most affordable electric sedan trim is $84,300, before on-road costs.It’s expected the Shooting Brake wagon body style will be a little more expensive than the sedan.Mild-hybrid versions of the CLA are powered by a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine with differing levels of power, depending on the trim level, plus a 22kW electric motor that’s powered by the 48V battery pack.Power is sent to either the front or all wheels, depending on the grade, by an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.The electric versions of the CLA has a variant with a single, rear-mounted electric motor, plus another with a dual-motor, all-wheel drive set-up.Mercedes-Benz Australia said it can’t disclose a projected sales split between the mild-hybrid petrol and electric CLA trims, however there have been more inquiries for the latter than expected.

Mercedes-Benz has confirmed details of its newest model, the stylish CLA four-door, coming to Australia with petrol-hybrid and electric variants.The five-strong line-up of the 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA will arrive through May and June, with a starting price of $66,500 before on-roads for the most affordable of the three hybrid variants.The small sedan brings with it two fully electric variants for the first time, as well as a next-gen version of the brand’s in-car operating system, over-the-air updates, a ‘Superscreen’ for the multimedia interface AI-powered voice control.The CLA180, CLA200, and CLA220 all run a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that’s assisted by an electric motor integrated into the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. It draws power from a 1.3kWh lithium-ion battery and can power the car alone when less than 20kW is needed.The CLA220 is a 4Matic model, so the drivetrain powers all four wheels, while the CLA180 and CLA200 are front-wheel drive.In the two electric variants, the CLA200 Electric is rear-wheel drive with a WLTP range of 470km, while the CLA350 4Matic Electric is AWD with a 663km range.The EVs can be charged at up to 320kW thanks to new-generation 800-volt EV architecture. The CLA200 Electric’s battery is 58kWh while the CLA350 4Matic Electric's is 85kWh.Mercedes-Benz Australia is yet to specify the full list of which features will be available with which variants, but standard across the range are things like panoramic sunroofs, heated front seats, wireless phone charging, ambient lighting and facial recognition.The models above base-level also score AMG design features and trim interior parts, while optional Premium Package features include a head-up display, adaptive LED headlights, Burmester surround sound and illuminated door sills.2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA pricing Australia2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA drivetrain and efficiency

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.