The 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLA facelift, which is set to arrive at dealers later this year, indicates the current second-gen model is getting close to retirement. Thus, the next-gen Mercedes-Benz CLA is preparing to enter markets across the world, North America included, with the company’s engineers working to complete its development.
The sloping roofline of the Mercedes CLA means spy photographers could easily spot prototypes during testing. And the heavy camouflage covering the next-gen Mercedes-Benz CLA means we can expect significant styling updates for this global model. The elegant silhouette will remain mostly unchanged, but you can expect more radical styling, especially for the front fascia. And, based on the automaker’s latest styling language, the next CLA will pack a more minimalist approach for the light clusters.
The next-gen CLA moves to the Mercedes Modular Architecture (MMA), which was engineered to accommodate internal combustion, (plug-in) hybrid and all-electric powertrains. So far, CLA test vehicles sporting hidden exhaust pipes have been spotted, which confirms combustion and hybrid versions.
Given how some Mercedes-Benz’s EQ all-electric models have fallen short of their sales expectations, the rumor mill talks about the MMA platform allowing the carmaker to introduce a CLA EV that maintains the design of the combustion/hybrid versions rather than introducing an EQA electric sedan sporting more conservative styling.
The MMA platform was engineered with an 800V architecture in mind and is capable of charging at up to 250 kW. This means that the all-important 10-80% fast charge cycle can be covered in 30 minutes when using a high-power DC charger.
In the US, the combustion version will continue to be powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, with a mandatory 48V mild-hybrid system. As far as the Mercedes-AMG CLA models go, the range-topping CLA 45 is rumored to get a detuned version of the 671 hp turbocharged four-cylinder plug-in hybrid powertrain that debuted on the 2024 Mercedes-AMG C63, even though we’d take this with a grain of salt.
An even more luxurious cabin for the next-gen Mercedes-Benz CLA
For the latest 2024 CLA update, Mercedes-Benz has boosted that standard instrument and central infotainment screens to 10.3 inches each, while offering the latest MBUX infotainment. And the next-gen model will pack an even more luxurious cabin with added features.
Despite its compact size, the upcoming third-generation CLA has big shoes to fill—when the first generation entered production in 2013, this was the first emotionally-designed small car Mercedes-Benz produced in the modern era.
The outgoing second-gen model entered service in 2019 and has been confirmed to replace the US-only A-Class Sedan once the latter’s current MY22 inventory is sold, even though the market is ever hungrier for crossovers, a trend the carmaker addressed by using the platform for the GLA and GLB.
The next-gen Mercedes-Benz CLA will enter production in 2024 at the earliest, which would involve a 2025 CLA for the US market. The base price for the future model will sit around $45,000, based on the 2023 model kicking off at just under $40,000. Meanwhile, you can check out a prototype of the next CLA in the WalkoArt video below.