Mercedes-Benz has unveiled a glimpse of its competitor to Tesla, the new electric CLA Class. While still a concept, much of what you see will carry over when the sedan hits production in 2025. Extravagant front-end LEDs and gesture-controlled doors may be absent, but the core components like the EQXX-sourced electric motor and a dual-speed transmission are expected to make it to the final product.
Beneath its sleek exterior, the Mercedes CLA boasts impressive specifications. As the pioneering vehicle on Mercedes’ new MMA (Mercedes Modular Architecture) electric platform, it will feature 800-volt technology and the powerful rear electric motor from the long-range EQXX concept, generating 235 horsepower. However, the standout feature is the dual-speed transmission.
Many electric vehicles use single-speed transmissions, thanks to the efficiency of electric motors. However, a few models like the Porsche Taycan and Audi e-tron GT feature dual-speed gearboxes to optimize performance at various speeds. Mercedes aims for the CLA to be their entry-level EV, focusing more on range and comfort than raw performance.
Conventionally, transmissions were believed to reduce EV range due to added drivetrain losses. However, supplier ZF claims that a multi-speed electric drive unit, including a motor, inverter, and dual-speed transmission, enhances both performance and efficiency compared to single-speed units. While Mercedes sees the advantages of a dual-speed gearbox, they opted to design the CLA’s electric drive unit in-house.
