Mercedes-Benz previewed its new vary of compact vehicles with the Idea CLA Class, an electrical four-door coupe-style sedan with greater than 750 km (466 miles) of vary.

The Idea CLA was revealed Sunday evening at an occasion forward of the IAA Mobility present in Munich. It encompasses a drivetrain derived from the EQXX idea, which was in a position to journey greater than 1,000 km on a single cost.

Mercedes describes the idea as a “close-to-production perception” right into a coming household of compact vehicles that would be the “gateway to the model.” The compact vary may have a four-door coupe, a station wagon and two SUVs, CEO Ola Kallenius stated.

The Idea CLA options an 800-volt electrical system that may add 400 km of vary in quarter-hour, Mercedes says. It may well cost at as much as 250-kilowatt DC stations.

With extremely environment friendly electrical consumption of about 12-kilowatt-hours per 100 km, the Idea CLA is the brand new “1-liter automotive,” Mercedes says, evaluating it to essentially the most frugal internal-combustion autos in the present day.

Kallenius says he stays dedicated to compact fashions, at the same time as he emphasizes gross sales of high-margin autos, together with the posh Maybach model, the high-performance AMG division and off-road G-Class. The typical promoting worth of a Mercedes automotive has risen 43 % since 2019, and is now about 73,000 euros ($78,000).

Mercedes presently sells seven major compact fashions in Europe constructed on the MFA2 platform: The A-Class, B-Class, A-Class sedan, CLA coupe, CLA station wagon, GLA (plus EQA EV) and GLB (plus EQB EV).

The Idea CLA would be the first automotive constructed on the MMA platform, which Mercedes describes as “electrical first,” that means it might probably additionally accommodate internal-combustion engines.

The idea is rear-wheel drive, however the brand new MMA compact vary will even embody all-wheel-drive choices. Different options of MMA embody two completely different battery cell chemistries, with a selection of an entry-level lithium-iron phosphate battery or denser silicon oxide anode design.

Mercedes says the battery packs are lighter and stiffer than present configurations, thanks partly to using adhesives fairly than screws to hitch the modules.

The Idea CLA makes use of a 175-kW electrical motor coupled to a two-speed transmission. Energy electronics embody a silicon-carbide inverter. The brand new motor, developed in-house, makes use of considerably much less rare-earth metals, Mercedes says.

It additionally options vehicle-to-grid or vehicle-to-home bidirectional charging.

Mercedes says the design of the Idea CLA transmits “athletic energy,” with a shark-nose entrance finish and a seamless grille panel. Flared wheel arches, 21-inch wheels and a large monitor emphasize this notion, Mercedes says.

Mild bands that wrap across the entrance and rear are reflective chrome when not illuminated.

Mercedes describes the idea’s inside as “tech infused minimalist magnificence” that mixes natural supplies corresponding to hemp and leather-based with high-gloss surfaces; the colour palette is silver and crystal white, with blue and violet detailing.

Like different new Mercedes fashions, the consumer interface would be the automaker’s MBUX system, together with the Superscreen that seems to brush the width of the dashboard.

The inside of the Idea CLA Class can also be centered on sustainability, with trim supplies together with recycled cellulose and hemp. Ground mats are made from bamboo fiber; recycled polyester upholstery is used on the console. Leather-based seats are produced from animals that adjust to humane remedy guidelines and that aren’t grazed in deforested areas.

The MB.OS working system is the pc structure behind the Idea CLA, with MMA autos being the primary vehicles to completely run on the system. Stage 2 driving help — that means the driving force must pay full consideration to the street and what the automotive is doing — is normal, however {hardware} and software program are “typically prepared” for Stage 3, that means the driving force is free to do different issues in sure conditions. Mercedes was the primary automaker to win approval for Stage 3 help in Germany.

MMA autos might be constructed at Mercedes’ factories in Rastatt, Germany; Keckskemet, Hungary; and Beijing. The plant in Rastatt was configured for MMA manufacturing utilizing digital twin expertise to optimize the situation of robots, provide routes and manufacturing traces whereas the present fashions have been nonetheless being constructed, Mercedes says. The usage of digital twin expertise will result in a quicker ramp-up and higher high quality and manufacturing effectivity, the automaker says. 

Electrical, hybrid and gasoline fashions might be constructed on the identical traces, Mercedes says.