Electric Cars Where Customers Choose the Battery... Mercedes-Benz Unveils Concept CLA Class

Top-tier Trim Features Silicon Battery; Entry-Level Uses LFP
First Vehicle Designed on Next-Gen MMA Platform
Maximized Energy Efficiency and Space Utilization
"Targeting Trendy and Young Customers"
Covered with 2,510 Triangular Stars
Scheduled for Late 2024 Release... Vehicle Name Undecided

Mercedes-Benz unveiled its next-generation electric vehicle at IAA Mobility 2023 held in Munich, Germany. The 'Concept CLA Class' is scheduled to be revealed by the end of next year and succeeds Mercedes-Benz's compact 4-door coupe CLA Class. It is the first model based on the company's next-generation electric vehicle platform, featuring different batteries for each trim and numerous three-pointed stars adorning the vehicle.

Mercedes-Benz Concept CLA Class
[Photo by Mercedes-Benz AG]

One noticeable feature is the different batteries for each trim. Customers can choose between two different batteries. The top-tier trim is equipped with a lithium-ion battery using silicon oxide (SiOx) as the anode material.

The anode material stores lithium ions released from the cathode during battery charging and releases them during use. Silicon oxide has about ten times the energy capacity per unit compared to graphite, which is traditionally used as an anode material. Therefore, it can increase battery capacity or output. On the other hand, the entry-level version uses a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery to reduce the vehicle price.

Mercedes-Benz Concept CLA-Class
[Photo by Mercedes-Benz AG]

This vehicle is the first designed on the MMA (Mercedes-Benz Modular Architecture) platform, following the EVA2 platform dedicated to Mercedes-Benz electric vehicles. MMA is a compact electric vehicle platform that replaces the existing dedicated electric vehicle platform.

In addition to this vehicle, two wagons and SUVs will be built on this platform. Ola K?llenius, Chairman of Mercedes-Benz, stated, "Although the platform is designed for electric vehicles, after producing four electric vehicles, internal combustion engine vehicles will also be built based on it."

Mercedes-Benz Concept CLA Class Interior
Photo by Oh Gyumin moh011@

First, this platform offers high electric efficiency. It inherits features from the Vision EQXX concept car unveiled last year. Key features include the MB. EDU (Mercedes-Benz Electric Drive Unit), which integrates the motor, transmission, and electric drive system; lightweight body construction; eco-friendly interior materials; and a heat pump. The EQXX achieved a driving range of 1,200 km on a single charge during an actual drive from Stuttgart, Germany, to Silverstone, UK, in June last year.

The drag coefficient is 0.17 Cd (Drag Coefficient, the force of air resistance when the car is moving), the lowest among existing vehicles. The lower this value, the less air resistance the vehicle experiences, resulting in better energy efficiency. Accordingly, the Concept CLA Class is expected to have a single-charge driving range of 750 km (measured by the European Economic Commission). Its energy efficiency is 8.3 km/kWh.

The roof section of the Mercedes-Benz Concept CLA-Class is made of panoramic glass.
[Photo by Oh Gyumin moh011@]

The battery cells installed on this platform use adhesive packaging instead of screws, reducing volume. Mercedes-Benz also explains that the rigidity is increased to ensure safety during collisions. It supports 250 kW DC charging and can travel up to 400 km with a 15-minute charge.

Mercedes-Benz Concept CLA Class
Photo by Oh Gyumin moh011@

Another advantage of the MMA platform is space utilization. Based on a test drive, despite being a 4-door coupe CLA Class based on the A-Class, the rear seats offer headroom and legroom comparable to the larger C-Class. The width (1,949 mm) is also wider than the C-Class (1,820 mm). Both the length (4,740 mm) and wheelbase (2,817 mm) are larger than the existing CLA (4,690 mm length and 2,730 mm wheelbase).

Mercedes-Benz Concept CLA-Class Rear Seat
Photo by Oh Gyumin moh011@

Mercedes-Benz Concept CLA Class side view
Photo by Oh Gyumin moh011@

The design is characterized by the Mercedes-Benz logo, the 'three-pointed star,' covering the entire vehicle. The front and rear lights incorporate star-shaped designs reminiscent of the three-pointed star. The front grille contains 274 chrome three-pointed stars. The roof is made of glass panels except for one pillar, which includes 652 three-pointed stars. Each wheel features 396 three-pointed stars, totaling 2,510 stars on the vehicle.

These stars are designed to light up when unlocking or starting the vehicle. Regarding the vehicle's design, which gives a cute rather than tough impression, Maya Markova, the exterior design manager, said, "The target customers are hip and modern young people. Therefore, we designed the exterior to look youthful."

Mercedes-Benz Concept CLA-Class Front Light
Photo by Oh Gyumin moh011@

The software is also enhanced. Equipped with NVIDIA high-performance water-cooled chips, this is the first vehicle to fully run the in-house developed operating system MB.OS, according to Mercedes-Benz. It can utilize artificial intelligence and machine learning, and OTA (Over The Air) software updates are more flexible. Based on this, improved autonomous driving features (partial automation allowing lane changes on multi-lane roads) and an advanced child detection system (to prevent the risk of children being left inside the car in hot weather) have been developed.

The Mercedes-Benz Concept CLA-Class is equipped with NVIDIA high-performance liquid-cooled chips. To emphasize this, the semiconductor chips are exposed on the surface of the vehicle.
[Photo by Oh Gyumin moh011@]

The name of this vehicle, which will be unveiled at the end of next year, has not been finalized. It is also uncertain whether it will belong to the existing Mercedes-Benz electric vehicle brand EQ. According to the company's policy to make all new cars electric by 2030, there is a possibility it will be released under an existing internal combustion engine vehicle name. Mona Moll, Mercedes-Benz AG PR manager, said, "The final name has not been decided yet. It will soon be determined whether to include EQ or use a new different name."

Mercedes-Benz Concept CLA-Class Welcome Light Demonstration
Photo by Oh Gyumin moh011@

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.