Snow slog: 2025 Mercedes-Benz CLA EV vs the Alps

The Austrian ski resort of Hochgurgl is 2150 meters above sea level—roughly equal to 2 Mount Snowdons or nearly three Burj Khalifas. After we go to in early December, temperatures on the uncovered, wind-chilled summit of the street that winds from right here and over the Italian border—often closed for the winter—achieve a balmy excessive of -15C by mid-morning.

The wind is unforgivingly biting, and the street is utterly lined in thick, closely compressed snow. There are darker patches that you simply would possibly consider because of the secure, gripping haven of unpaved tarmac; however extra silly is he who seeks traction on this blackest of black ice.

We’re right here partly as a result of “it is enjoyable to drive on this street,” we admit Mercedes-Benz CLA venture chief Oliver Zolke, whereas casually strolling out the again midway by a very icy hairpin, however, primarily as a result of it is the most effective setting to indicate off three distinctive options of the brand new electrical salon: “the power of the restoration, the traction and uphill acceleration. , and the softness of the suspension.”.

From the passenger seat, the third-generation CLA feels completed to all intents and purposes. Camouflage covers the finer design particulars outdoors, and the compulsory black bedsheet shields the dashboard from view; however, Zolke says it is “99% there” forward of a March unveiling and a launch across the summer time, with just a bit of homework to do on the software program to do and person interface.

Even with a lot nonetheless left to the creativeness, it is clear how shut this automobile shall be to the final 12 months’s pleasantly proportioned idea—properly right down to the full-width digital show we will see peeking by the gaps within the sheets. For higher or worse.

Our take a look at automobile is the most effective all-wheel drive mannequin (Mercedes-Benz CLA 4Matic with EQ expertise, to call its full title), geared up with a 268bhp motor on the rear axle and one other with 107bhp on the entrance. Mercedes has but to substantiate a mixed output; however, anticipate round 375 bhp, giving it a slight increase over the Tesla Mannequin 3 Lengthy Distance AWD and the twin-motor Hyundai Ioniq 6.

It is one of two electrical powertrains being launched for the next-generation CLA, described as the primary automobile of the ‘EV 2.0’ period for Mercedes, so dramatically and completely different is it from the present EQE and EQS. The opposite offers up the entrance motor for a smaller listing worth (anticipate low £40,000s for the model with the smaller 58kWh LFP battery), and the next most vary of someplace round 440 miles from the 85kWh NMC pack.

There can even be a combustion model that makes use of a 1.5-litre petrol four-cylinder engine with a small electrical motor within the gearbox for as much as 188 bhp and claims “diesel ranges of effectivity.” That is about six months after the EV, in the direction of the tip of 2025.

The most effective EV definitely feels quick sufficient, even on this glassy terrain. When Zolke floors it from a standstill, the shortage of scraping and skidding off the road is a testomony to the superior stage of growth this all-new powertrain is in, although probably additionally the legally mandated chunky winter tires that our mule wears…

An extended straight part of the in any other case relentlessly winding Timmelsjoch Cross presents the chance to briefly faucet into the CLA’s full reserves, and we soar swiftly and confidently north of 60mph, which would not really feel significantly quick, however, for the unnerving feeling of looseness that comes from having such restricted reference factors. With the roadside largely indistinguishable from the dusty street and no fastened landmarks flashing previous the window, we would as properly be doing 150mph or 20mph.

Both ways, the CLA is untouched. I did the identical factor in the identical place a couple of minutes earlier than in a Mercedes-AMG C63, and, even with the assistance of 4WD and winter tires, I discovered myself always making small corrections to my line to maintain the nostril on monitor. Zolke’s arms stay stiff as compared: “There’s not a lot of work to do from the driver’s seat,” he notes, the automobile following straight and true with no discernible directional input from either man or machine.

Zolke maintains his relaxed demeanor as a decent right-hander approaches, carrying our cruising velocity properly past the purpose the place I’d have begun to bleed off the tempo. Because the apex comes into focus, he eases off the accelerator, but leaves the brake pedal alone to display the effectiveness of the regenerative deceleration, which might ship energy again to the battery at speeds of as much as 200 kW.

“There is not any have to do any mechanical braking” in D mode, Zolke explains. It might be extra environment friendly when it comes to vitality consumption; however, “the restoration is smoother, as you do not really feel it.” To display the distinction, he offers the left pedal a very good jab, and our dialog is interrupted by the noisy and vibrating intervention of the ABS, which, regardless of its finest efforts, is unable to convey the automobile down quicker than the vehicles not.

The 4Matic mannequin has a bonus right here because the second motor on the entrance axle will increase the utmost regeneration fee; however, the rear-drive CLA can even have the ability to cease without bodily brake entry. “And that is roughly an aspect impact of effectivity. We did not do it for these situations; we did it to get most vitality again from the automobile,” says Zolke.

Judging the suppleness of the chassis is tougher because the tires do not actually come into direct contact with the street itself throughout our time within the automobile; however, the truth that I can chat with Zolke while concurrently writing in my pocketbook on one of Europe’s most difficult roads might be a sign of its composure. In contrast to the bigger electrical Mercs, the CLA shall be completely coil-spring, however, with optionally available adaptive dampers for larger management over the suspension traits, as with the BMW i4 and Tesla Mannequin 3.

Past its dynamic credentials and straight-line efficiency, the CLA is ready to steal gross sales from its rivals with a claimed crossover effectivity of 5.18 mpkWh, giving it long-range capabilities that it has confirmed by breaking the file for the longest vary a EV in 24 hours: 2410 miles round Italy’s Nardò high-speed ring. Minimizing energy waste at a cruise is important to attaining that determination; however, charging at as much as 320 kW dramatically reduces time spent idling.

Zolke admits that combining segment-leading effectivity (Mercedes haughtily refers back to the CLA as “the one-liter automobile of the effectivity period”) with extremely successful dynamics and engagement is a tall order; however, “the largest problem of the venture” was to usher in the brand new salon with all these qualities, whereas additionally maintaining it tightly proportioned and low to the bottom.

He defined that Mercedes’ focus for EVs has thus far been on ‘taller’—each’ taller and extra premium-focused—mannequin strains because of the price and variety of EV batteries; however, as each of them decline, decrease journey heights doable turn out to be Nonetheless, Zolke stated, there was a paradox to handle: “The problem was the peak of the automobile, as a result, we want house for the battery beneath, however, to maintain the peak similar to the predecessor for styling, need to not have it too excessive—additionally for aerodynamics.”

Even with the automobile nonetheless closely camouflaged, it is clear that the CLA is a detailed proportional match to its predecessor, and the seating place feels about as little as it could in a petroleum saloon. Evaluating the 2 with one another—and with their respective rivals—after launch will give a clearer image; however, the early indicators recommend that the brand new CLA is a remarkably uncompromising all-rounder.