Mercedes-Benz unveils the new CLA Shooting Brake with EQ technology, marking the brand’s first estate model available as an EV. The car is offered in two variants: the CLA 250+ and the CLA 350 4MATIC, which differ in terms of performance.
However, before we dive into what’s under the coupe, let’s take a look at the car’s design. It retains some similarities with the CLA Saloon, featuring a sporty shark-nose front and a panel adorned with 142 individually illuminated chrome-look LED stars. The CLA also offers optional Multibeam LED headlights and a continuous light strip. At the rear, the tail lights are star-shaped, and a roof spoiler adds to the dynamic styling.
Additionally, the CLA comes with a one-piece panoramic roof that extends from the windscreen frame to the rear end. It features heat-insulating laminated safety glass with an infrared-reflecting and low-emissivity coating on the inside. Furthermore, there is an optional function that changes the roof’s transparency in just 10 to 20 milliseconds, according to the automaker.
The panoramic glass is also connected to the ambient lighting in the interior, which now offers an illuminated starry sky with 158 stars integrated into its glass surface. Speaking of the interior, Mercedes-Benz claims improved headroom and legroom for passengers, thanks to larger dimensions compared to its predecessor — 4,723 mm in length, 1,855 mm in width, 1,469 mm in height, and a wheelbase of 2,790 mm.
Other features in the car include the floating MBUX Superscreen, which consists of a 10.25-inch instrument cluster, a 14-inch infotainment system, and an optional 14-inch passenger screen. The MBUX system is powered by the Mercedes-Benz Operating System (MB.OS), now integrated with artificial intelligence (AI) from Microsoft and Google.
As for the seats, customers can choose between ARTICO man-made leather or fabric and genuine leather in a range of colours—from classic black to ivory beige and beech brown. The CLA also features a new steering wheel, and the company has introduced a new control concept that includes a rocker switch for the speed limiter and DISTRONIC, as well as a roller for volume control, responding to numerous customer requests.
Now coming to the powertrain, the CLA 350 comes with a two-motor set-up and an all-wheel drive configuration. It has an output of 260kW and 515Nm of torque. Meanwhile, the CLA 250+ has an output of 200kW and 335Nm. To complete the century sprint, the 250+ takes 6.8 seconds while the 350 does it in five seconds.
Both the variants have the same 85kWh nickel-manganese-cobalt battery, however, the 250+ has a WLTP range of 761km while the latter has a 730km WLTP range. Since the CLA Shooting Brake is built on the 800V architecture, it only takes 10 minutes to charge up to 310km (250+) and 300km (350) using a 320kW fast DC charger. Both the cars also support a 22kW AC charger.
As for the price of the vehicle, the automaker is being tight-lipped about it. However, the company did reveal that a hybrid model of the CLA Shooting Brake can be expected in the near future.
(Source: Mercedes Benz Press Release)
