# Mercedes-Benz CLA: A Preview of Automotive Advancements
Mercedes-Benz is set to unveil the next installment of its renowned CLA sedan, a refined and elegant vehicle that aims to redefine automotive innovation. Expected to debut in 2025, the upcoming CLA will be offered in both gasoline and electric variations, demonstrating Mercedes’ dedication to providing a variety of powertrain choices in a fast-changing market. As the company gears up for the official reveal, it has initiated extensive testing of the vehicle under demanding conditions, yielding noteworthy results.
## 2,309 Miles in 24 Hours: A Record-Breaking Achievement
Among the standout accomplishments of the forthcoming CLA is its impressive performance during a 24-hour endurance trial at the Nardò test facility in southern Italy. The CLA prototype traversed an incredible 2,309 miles (3,716 km) in a mere 24 hours, exceeding a previous record set by Porsche in 2019 by 181 miles (291 km). This trial took place on Nardò’s high-speed bowl, a 7.8-mile (12.5 km) circular track, where the CLA sustained an average pace of 95 mph (153 km/h).
The test encompassed 10 recharging intervals, during which the vehicle was stationary for approximately seven hours. Despite these breaks, the CLA’s performance was truly remarkable, highlighting the efficiency and stamina of its electric powertrain. This milestone reaffirms Mercedes’ commitment to crafting high-performance electric vehicles (EVs) that can rival, and potentially exceed, conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles in long-distance travel capability.
## The First Mercedes Featuring MB.OS
The next-generation CLA will be the inaugural Mercedes-Benz vehicle to incorporate the new MB.OS (Mercedes-Benz Operating System). This Linux-based framework, which also runs QNX in a hypervisor for crucial functions such as the dashboard display, signifies a major advancement in automotive software. MB.OS will empower Mercedes to retain complete oversight of the software architecture while still partnering with third-party developers for particular applications.
Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius has stressed the significance of this in-house methodology, stating, “We are the full architects of the stack. That doesn’t imply we must code every single line. It’s neither technologically viable nor economically sensible.” This strategy permits Mercedes to achieve a balance between innovation and efficiency, ensuring the software is customized to the exact requirements of its vehicles while utilizing outside expertise where appropriate.
## A Groundbreaking In-House Electric Powertrain
The upcoming CLA will also represent a pivotal achievement for Mercedes-Benz, as it will be the first vehicle to install the automaker’s entirely in-house electric powertrain. Until now, Mercedes has depended on allies like Bosch for developing powertrains for its EVs. However, with the CLA, Mercedes is assuming full responsibility for the design and development process, a strategy that could pave the way for further advancements in EV technology.
The electric powertrain set to debut in the CLA was initially tested in the Mercedes-Benz Vision EQXX, a concept vehicle developed to explore the limits of EV efficiency. The EQXX can travel nearly 750 miles on a single charge, a capability that Mercedes showcased in a real-world test in 2022. The knowledge amassed from the EQXX initiative has informed the design of the CLA’s powertrain, which intends to offer outstanding efficiency and performance.
For instance, in the EQXX, Mercedes engineers achieved an impressive efficiency of 7.44 miles per kilowatt-hour (kWh), equating to 8.35 kWh per 100 km. When the same powertrain was evaluated in the less aerodynamically efficient EQB, it still achieved 5 miles per kWh (12.5 kWh per 100 km), an 80% enhancement over the standard EQB model. These findings suggest that the CLA’s electric powertrain will be exceptionally efficient, even under real-world driving situations.
## A New Gasoline Variant for an Evolving Market
In addition to the electric model, Mercedes-Benz has also confirmed the availability of a new gasoline-powered CLA. This choice reflects the automaker’s adaptive strategy in response to market dynamics. While Mercedes had aimed for a complete transition to electric by 2030, it now recognizes that the global market may not be prepared for such a swift shift, even in areas like Europe where EV uptake is increasing.
Consequently, Mercedes intends to offer a wider range of “electrified” models alongside its EVs. The gasoline-powered CLA will come equipped with a 48-volt mild hybrid system, enhancing efficiency without necessitating a full shift to electric power. Notably, the internal combustion engine (ICE) for the gasoline CLA will be produced by Horse Powertrain Limited, a collaboration between Chinese manufacturer Geely and Renault. This partnership underscores the increasingly international landscape of the automotive industry, as manufacturers work together across borders.
