Mercedes unveiled its eclectic CLA concept in September, as the first model in a new series of entry-level EVs. Recently a new video spotted the electric Mercedes CLA testing near the Arctic Circle. It is stated that the new Mercedes-Benz’s EV will be the direct rival of Tesla Model 3.
A glimpse of the upcoming EV videos from CarSpyMedia gives us a closer look at the CLA EV prototype, which was spotted during winter testing near the Arctic Circle. The video reveals the electric car’s sleek curves and silhouette as it drives by. You will also see the new seamless grill panel and shark-nose design peeking through.
Specs, Tech and Performance
The upcoming EV is also dubbed the “one-liter car” for its long-range capabilities. It is expected to feature over 466 miles (750 km) driving range based on Mercedes’s next-gen MMA platform. That platform is derived from its ultra-efficient Vision EQXX, which just completed a 627 miles (1,010 km) trip through the Arabian Desert with nearly 200 miles (309 km) range left.
Mercedes claims the new CLA EV “marks a new era” for the brand’s design evolution. With new features that have become “ icons in their own right,” the vehicle is a modern take on Mercedes’s iconic design. It will also be the first Mercedes EV to ride on an 800-Volt architecture, enabling rapid charging of up to 248 miles (400 km) in 15 minutes.
The concept “reinterprets iconic elements of the brand’s rich design heritage to craft a whole new face of Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz Group chief designer Gorden Wagener
It is said that the CLA will come in single and dual-motor electric powertrains, with the former offering rear-wheel drive and the latter driving all four wheels. On the debut Mercedes-Benz said the motor was good for 235 horsepower.
Interior of the entry-level EV is expected to feature Mercedes’s new OS (MB.OS), the “digital brain” behind the vehicle. Every vehicle based on the MMA platform will be powered by AI and machine learning.
Mercedes says the MB.OS software is “generally ready” for an SAE Level 3 autonomy upgrade, but the EV will initially roll out with Level 2 capabilities. It is also expected that it will be the most affordable EV of Mercedes’s and be the rival of Tesla Model 3.
