Is This Car Smarter Than Your Average Politician? The New Electric CLA
Image Credit: Mercedes-Benz.
Mercedes-Benz has decided that what we all need is a car that's basically a rolling supercomputer. They've slapped a new operating system, the MB.OS, into the brand new CLA, and apparently, it's the "cleverest car" they've ever made. I mean, I've seen some pretty dumb cars, so the bar wasn't exactly sky-high. But the new Benz… is like your smartphone decided to grow wheels and a steering wheel.
Let's get the tech out of the way first. The new CLA gets this MBUX Superscreen that stretches across the entire dash. From now on, you're driving a giant iPad. This ginormous distraction is powered by the same chips from Unity Game Engine they use to make video games. So, if you ever get bored of driving, you can probably play some high-res Tetris while you're stuck in traffic. Not that you should, of course.
Image Credit: Mercedes-Benz.
Next, the ubiquitous AI. Mercedes teamed up with Microsoft and Google, which means your car now has a virtual assistant that can chat with you like your best (and most annoying) friend. It uses ChatGPT and Google Gemini, so it apparently knows everything. Just like your annoying teenage kid. You can try asking it where the nearest gas station is, and it'll probably gently remind you that you're driving electric. "Oh, you want gas? How quaint."
But the new CLA is so much more than just talking AI and giant screens. Mercedes actually managed to make a car that goes places. The CLA 250+ boasts a range of up to 492 miles, which is pretty darn impressive. And if you're in a hurry, you can charge it up to 202 miles of range in just ten minutes. That's faster than I can make a decent cup of tea. I like tea, and I know what I'm talking about.
Image Credit: Mercedes-Benz.
There's only one 85 kWh battery across the range. That's enough juice for most situations, it's a sweet spot between the range and fast charging. And the 800-volt system means it charges faster than before. Mercedes even threw in a two-speed gearbox, which is a bit of a novelty in the EV world. First gear for city sprints, second gear for motorway cruising. Clever, I suppose.
Right, numbers. The CLA 250+ puts out 268 horsepower, while the CLA 350 4MATIC cranks it up to 348 horsepower. Zero to sixty? A respectable few seconds, though they haven't been specific and I suspect they are being coy, but let's say it's brisk. Prices? Mercedes hasn't officially dropped that bombshell yet, but let's just say you'll need a few extra quid in your piggy bank. Expect it to be north of $50,000 and likely closer to $60,000 for the higher-spec models.
The styling? You can't mistake it for anything else - it's a CLA. Sleek, sporty, with a bit of a futuristic vibe. The illuminated star panel on the front is a bit gimmicky, but it's a talking point. The interior is where they've really gone to town. The floating MBUX Superscreen is the star of the show, but the rest of the cabin is pretty plush too. Lots of leather, fancy trim, and a panoramic roof that makes you feel like you're driving a greenhouse.
Tree-huggers among us will be pleased to know that Mercedes reduced CLA's carbon footprint by 40 percent compared to the old model. So, you can feel good about saving the planet while you're cruising in your high-tech chariot. They've also thrown in an air-to-air heat pump, which is apparently super efficient. It uses waste heat from the drivetrain and battery, and even the ambient air, to keep you warm. Nice. Feeling toasty while crunching miles away and saving the planet at the same time - not bad, Mercedes, not bad at all.
All in all, the new electric CLA is a pretty impressive piece of kit. It's packed with tech, it's got a decent range, and it looks good. But is it worth the premium price tag? That depends on how much you value having a car that's smarter than you are. Personally, I'm still trying to figure out how to work the microwave, so I'm not sure I'm ready for a car that can hold a conversation. But to each their own.
The new CLA is a huge step forward, no doubt. Just don't let it start telling you what to do. You know, like "You really shouldn't have that extra slice of cake." Because then, we'll have a problem.
