German automakers wowed the world earlier this month at the IAA 2023 in Munich. Many futuristic vehicles were presented, and one of the most promising was the new Mercedes Concept CLA. Simply put, this four-door is a coupe-like concept built to preview the next generation of entry-level electric luxury vehicle, which is expected to go on sale in late 2024.
Just a few weeks after the concept was presented, this test prototype was spotted undergoing road testing. The famous Stuttgart car spotter Walko Art has captured the first shots of this new CLA with its production headlights.
The new light design features projectors in the shape of the Mercedes three-pointed star, although this design is not identical to the concept. This had a round halo around the star and a brow over the top. However, we think the prototype is what Mercedes will sell, since it matches the new E-Class. Both the sedan and wagon versions of the mid-sized luxury car have four identical stars in their taillights.
The 2025 CLA will also have star taillights, but just two of them. Mercedes has said the CLA will have brothers, a wagon, and two SUVs. Presumably, this means direct replacements for the CLA Shooting Brake, the GLA, and GLB, all sharing design features.
The general proportions are quite similar to the Concept CLA. It has the swooping roof design which the CLA has offered since 2013, but in a much more elegant package. The prototype features a long hood and short rear deck, looking nothing like a FWD compact car.
No official dimensions were provided, but the Concept CLA is estimated to be over 185 inches long, so slightly longer than its predecessors. Because it’s an EV, it also sits a little higher. You may also notice that some of the flourishes from the IAA are gone: the massive 21-inch wheels, the illuminated badges, and 200+ LEDs poking through the grille.
2025 Mercedes CLA Powertrain Details
The CLA and all its cousins will be based on a new platform called the Mercedes Modular Architecture or MMA for short. Its most promising feature is extremely long range. With a usable battery capacity of around 89.6 kWh, it promises 466 miles per charge, at least for the concept.
We don’t have a lot of specs, but the rear-mounted motor uses technology from the Vision EQXX which requires nearly 0% rear earths. The long-range single-motor CLA makes 235 horsepower, although Mercedes will have AWD versions with potentially double the power. The MB.EDU power unit also has a two-speed transmission, like Porsche’s.
Surprisingly, even though the platform is designed for EVs, it will still support conventional engines. At this point, nobody knows if the conventional CLA will be FWD like the current one or RWD like the EV concept.
