Mercedes-Benz CLA concept is the long-range entry-level EV we’ve been waiting for
The Tesla Model 3 is getting a new rival. After teasing us for the past few months, Mercedes-Benz unveiled its highly-anticipated CLA electric sedan concept at IAA Mobility on Sunday. The Mercedes CLA concept is the new “one-liter car” thanks to its advanced efficiency, enabling over 466 miles (750 km) WLTP range. It will be the first of the brand’s new entry-level EV class.
Mercedes has been teasing a new class of entry-level EVs for several months now. Last month, we learned it would be a high-tech replacement for the gas-powered CLA, sidestepping the brand’s “EQ” branding.
The electric CLA will be the first to use Mercedes’ next-gen Modular Architecture (MMA) platform. Mercedes expects the new EV drive system to produce over 466 miles (750 km) WLTP range.
This would represent energy consumption of around 5.2 mi/kWh (12 kWh/ 100 km), giving the CLA its “one-liter car” nickname.
The new in-house drivetrain is derived from the ultra-efficient VISION EQXX, consisting of an 800V platform, battery with “exceptional energy density,” and highly efficient electric drive unit.
Two different battery chemistries will be offered. The top level features an anode design with silicon-oxide content, while the entry variant uses lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP).
As a first, Mercedes uses adhesive, rather than screws, to hold its cell modules in place. The result is a lighter, smaller conventional battery.
The electric Mercedes CLA concept is the brand’s first production car to feature an 800V system, enabling up to 250 kW DC charging. Mercedes claims this will deliver 248 miles (400 km) in 15 minutes. It will also include bidirectional charging to allow the vehicle to be used as a backup energy source.
Meet the new entry-level electric Mercedes CLA concept
The new CLA concept “marks a new era” and the next step in the brand’s unique design evolution. From the first look, the model looks similar to the gas-powered version but with a distinctive style.
Mercedes says it has incorporated design elements that “have become icons in their own right,” reimagining them for the electric age. Mercedes designers applied the brand’s signature three-pointed star throughout the concept.
One of the first things you will notice is the new headlights and front face. The front end features a shark-nose design with a seamless “grille” panel. Light bands wrap around the front and rear with star-shaped headlamp clusters.
Gorden Wagener, Chief Design Officer of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, explained, “The Concept CLA Class marks the start of a new era.” He added, “It reinterprets iconic elements of the brand’s rich design heritage to craft a whole new face of Mercedes-Benz.”
The Mercedes CLA concept sporty design is shown in its athletic shoulders extending from the front light band to the GT rear end.
Meanwhile, powerful wheel arches house 21-inch wheels, displaying a distinctive star pattern. The GT line and rear-end proportions extend the silhouette while offering rear passengers more headroom than the previous generation.
On the inside
The interior features a tech-focused minimalist that “sets the tone for the segment.” As such, the electric Mercedes CLA concept includes a full-width MBUX Superscreen with features derived from the VISION EQXX.
Digitally visualized on the left and right of the screen are turbine-like virtual air vents, a reinterpretation of the brand’s iconic form.
Meanwhile, the physical air vents are placed discreetly behind the screen, which doubles as a source of ambient lightning.
The front bucket seats are “purist mono-swing shells derived from a spherical whole.” In a first for Mercedes-Benz, the trim element includes an illuminated surface for charging your smartphone.
The new Mercedes-Benz Operating System (MB.OS) will be the “digital brain” behind the vehicle. The company says its proprietary chip-to-cloud architecture represents a new approach.
Mercedes says every vehicle on the MMA platform comes with a supercomputer with AI and machine learning.
The MB.OS software is “generally ready” for an SAE Level 3 autonomy system upgrade, according to Mercedes, but the model will initially launch with Level 2 capabilities.
A further benefit of the software is its new Child Presence Detection (CPD) system, designed to lessen the chances of a child being left in the car on a hot day. The system detects changes in breathing patterns that alert the driver. If the driver doesn’t respond, it will flash the exterior lights before eventually calling emergency services.
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Environment
Beta Technologies founder completes first test flight in its production-intent eCTOL [Video]
![Beta Technologies founder completes first test flight in its production-intent eCTOL [Video]](https://i0.wp.com/electrek.co/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/11/Beta-test-flight-eCTOL-mountains.jpg?resize=1200,628&quality=82&strip=all&ssl=1)
All-electric aircraft developer BETA Technologies has shared another important milestone in bringing its first two vessels to market. Most recently, BETA’s founder, CEO, and test pilot Kyle Clark took the production version of its ALIA eCTOL up for its first flight, as seen in the video below.
BETA Technologies is a fully integrated electric aircraft and systems developer based in Vermont. Three years ago, it debuted its first electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, the ALIA–250. That BETA vessel has since been renamed the ALIA VTOL and completed a piloted test flight transitioning mid-air this past April.
In addition to the ALIA VTOL, BETA has also been developing an electric conventional takeoff and landing (eCTOL) plane called the ALIA CTOL. To date, it has flown tens of thousands of test miles en route to evaluation flights for FAA certification. That aircraft is targeting full approval for commercial operations by 2025.
As BETA moves closer to bringing the ALIA CTOL to the public, it has completed its first bonafide production build in South Burlington. Following a Special Airworthiness Certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), BETA has successfully taken its production-ready ALIA CTOL up for a test flight, piloted by its founder and CEO.
Watch BETA’s founder complete a CTOL test flight
BETA Technologies shared details of its first successful production CTOL test flight today alongside the images above and the full video below.
Once the production-intent build of the ALIA CTOL was complete, the FAA inspected the aircraft for safety and compliance before granting BETA a Multipurpose Special Airworthiness Certificate for Experimental Research & Development, Market Survey, and Crew Training, signing-off approval for test flights.
On November 13, BETA CEO, founder, and test pilot Kyle Clark conducted the first test flight of the ALIA CTOL aircraft, which lasted nearly an hour. The test included a conventional runway takeoff before the aircraft climbed to 7,000 feet.
While in the air, Clark tested the aircraft’s handling qualities, stability, control test points, and initial airspeed expansion before completing several approaches ahead of a normal landing. Clark spoke following the successful flight:
This start of our production CX300 flight test campaign is a result of years of hard work and focus on studying customer requirements, hard engineering, manufacturing, production, quality and test. It represents a significant milestone for BETA, and is the beginning of an exciting new phase for the business. With this, we’re one step closer to putting this technology into the hands of our customers.
We learned a lot from this first production build. We weren’t just building an aircraft company, we were building and refining a system to build high quality aircraft efficiently. This first build allowed the team to collect data and insight on manufacturing labor, tooling design, processes, yields and sequences, all of which are being used to refine our production systems.
With its production test flight campaign now underway, BETA says it will continue testing the ALIA CTOL aircraft for the standard 50 hours required before qualifying for a Market Survey and Crew Training certificate. That next certificate will enable BETA to fly outside of Burlington and Plattsburgh and continue training additional pilots on the aircraft.
The company shared it will also continue production of additional aircraft, including ALIA CTOL and ALIA VTOL configurations, the latter of which was recently teased in October. You can view footage of BETA’s CTOL flight below.
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Crude oil futures rose slightly on Thursday, with the U.S. benchmark trading around $69 per barrel, though the market outlook remains bearish.
Global crude supplies are expected to outstrip demand by more than 1 million barrels per day next year led by robust growth in the U.S., according to the International Energy Agency’s monthly market report.
Here are today’s energy prices by 8:07 a.m. ET:
- West Texas Intermediate December contract: $68.92 per barrel, up 49 cents, or 0.7%. Year to date, U.S. crude oil is down more than 3%.
- Brent January contract: $72.78 per barrel, up 50 cents, or 0.7%. Year to date, the global benchmark is down more than 5%.
- RBOB Gasoline December contract: $1.9711 per gallon, up 0.3%. Year to date, gasoline has fallen nearly 6%.
- Natural Gas December contract: $2.966 per thousand cubic feet, down 0.6%. Year to date, gas has gained nearly 18%.
UBS slashed its price forecast for global benchmark Brent to $80 per barrel from $87 previously on weakening demand in China, the world’s largest crude importer.
OPEC on Tuesday cut its demand growth forecast for the fourth month in a row earlier this week.
U.S. crude oil has shed about 4% and Brent is down 3.5% since Donald Trump won the U.S. presidential as the dollar has surged. A stronger U.S. dollar can depress oil demand among buyers that hold other currencies.
Leading electric vehicle analyst, author, and industry thought leaders Loren McDonald and Bill Ferro stop by Quick Charge to discuss EV Adoption’s acquisition by Paren, the “crisis” of EV charging reliability, and the real state of the EV market.
Depending on who you listen, EVs are either driving brands to record growth and are about cross that critical 10% of the overall market nationwide, or the future is bleak, the market is down, and EVs just aren’t selling. What’s really going on? Loren and Bill (probably) have some answers.
Today’s episode is sponsored by BLUETTI, a leading provider of portable power stations, solar generators, and energy storage systems. For a limited time, save up to 52% during BLUETTI’s exclusive Black Friday sale, now through November 28, and be sure to use promo code BLUETTI5OFF for 5% off all power stations site wide. Click here to learn more.
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Read more: All my favorite EVs, racecars, and robots from Electrify Expo Austin.
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