Mercedes-Benz has been noticed testing an electrical compact sedan with coupe-like styling.

The automobile is probably going destined to be a member of the next-generation CLA-Class vary, and we’ll get a preview of it in idea type in early September on the 2023 Munich auto present. The market launch will occur round 2025, and the timing factors to an arrival for the 2025 or 2026 mannequin years.

The subsequent CLA-Class, and different members of Mercedes’ next-generation compact household, will trip on a newly developed platform referred to as the MMA (Mercedes Modular Structure). The platform will assist each hybrid and absolutely electrical powertrains, and will probably be Mercedes’ final designed for fuel engines. All future platforms from Mercedes will probably be electric-only, because the automaker prepares to go the full-electric route by 2030.

Mercedes has stated the MMA platform will spawn its first mannequin round 2025, more likely to be the following CLA-Class. The platform will finally be used for all Mercedes fashions ranging as much as and together with the C-Class section. Above this, Mercedes may have the MB.EA platform for medium and enormous fashions, the AMG.EA for high-performance fashions from AMG, and the Van.EA for mild business automobiles.

In response to stories, the following CLA-Class will supply the selection of electrical or mild-hybrid powertrains. There apparently will not be a plug-in hybrid.

The prototypes are closely camouflaged, however the styling cues seem much like present Mercedes themes, although maybe the automobile will get some influences from final 12 months’s Imaginative and prescient EQXX idea automobile, notably the aspect glass. A number of the applied sciences of the Imaginative and prescient EQXX must also make it into the brand new sedan, such because the idea’s extremely environment friendly power restoration techniques.

Mercedes-Benz Imaginative and prescient EQXX

EVs primarily based on the MMA platform are anticipated to characteristic 800-volt electrical techniques, that means high-speed charging will probably be attainable, most likely in extra of 200 kw. Battery capability is predicted to achieve as much as 100 kwh.

It is not clear what the electrical CLA-Class will probably be referred to as, but when Mercedes sticks to its present naming observe the sedan is perhaps referred to as the EQA. If that occurs, the present EQA electrical compact crossover offered abroad would should be rebranded because the EQA SUV, one thing we may even see later this 12 months when the EQA crossover is up to date. There’s additionally the prospect the CLA identify is retained for the electrical mannequin, versus an EQ-branded identify. This ties in with rumors Mercedes plans to drop the EQ branding shortly.

2025 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class EV spy photographs – Picture credit score: Baldauf

The subsequent CLA-Class will probably be a part of a slimmed-down compact vary Mercedes refers to as Entry Luxurious (additional up are Core Luxurious and Prime-Finish Luxurious). Different fashions within the Entry Luxurious group are anticipated to incorporate the CLA-Class Taking pictures Brake, GLA-Class, and GLB-Class, all of which may have an electrical possibility.

In an effort to concentrate on extra worthwhile, high-end automobiles, the present A-Class and B-Class are anticipated to be phased out. The A-Class has already been dropped within the U.S.