The all-new CLA should improve Mercedes-Benz overall sales results once available in quantity next year. Wayne Gerdes – CleanMPG – April 17, 2025 2026 Mercedes CLA Beautiful AND efficient, what more could one hope for! At a gala in NY just after the NY Auto Show, Mercedes-Benz unveiled its all-new CLA. With the U.S. debut, Mercedes-Benz reinforced its legacy of setting benchmarks and redefining standards. This all-new model ushers in a new era of all-electric efficiency and the consumers in car digital experience as the first Mercedes-Benz to operate on the in-house developed Mercedes-Benz Operating System. At launch, the US CLA model lineup will be comprised of the CLA 250+ and CLA 350 4MATIC. With approximately 385 miles of all-electric range (WLTP * .78) from the 268 hp CLA 250+. With a new Li-Ion battery and 800V architecture, DCFCing the CLA should add approximately 160 miles in less than ten minutes. The new CLA will also be available with a 48V mild hybrid system and is scheduled to arrive in the U.S. later this year - depending on tariff negotiations obviously and will usher in a new era of the three-pointed stars brand strategy in the North American market. US Pricing and trim breakouts will be revealed this summer. Despite the US’ self-inflicted economic uncertainty, this is one I cannot wait to drive later this year. Mercedes Q1 2025 US Sales Overview Mercedes reported Q1 2025 sales of cars and vans of 75,100 vehicles, down 9.1% below the 82,623 sold in Q1 of 2024. Mercedes EV sales of 3,472 vehicles were down 58.3% below the 8,336 sold during Q1 of 2024. PHEV sales on the other hand were up 400% vs the same period of 2024. One highlight was the Mercedes EQB which experienced sales of 1,622 vehicles, up 141.7% over the 671 sold in Q1 of 2024. US Q1 2025 Automotive Sales Overview A recap of the overall sales results can be found here: US Q1 2025 Automobile Sales: 3.91 million Vehicles Sold, up 5.7%
Hi All: In other non-CLA related MB news, the company's Passenger vehicle and Formula 1 R&D teams are not sitting still in the quest for a safer and lighter (energy and volumetric density), Solid-state battery solution. Mercedes-Benz, together with Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains (HPP) based in Brixworth UK, developed and patented a new innovative lithium metal, solid-state battery pack with cells sourced from U.S.-based solid-state battery leader Factorial Energy. They have already integrated them into slightly modified EQS Sedan in late 2024 since February of this year, it is driving around the US. The solid-state battery features an innovative floating cell carrier - a patent has already been granted. When the battery charges, the materials expand, and when it discharges, it contracts. The volume change in solid-state cells refers to the expansion and contraction of the materials inside the battery during charging and discharging. To support the cells during these volume changes, the Mercedes-Benz solid-state battery is equipped with pneumatic actuators that interact with the cell volume change during charging and discharging, which improves the battery's performance and lifespan. Solid-state batteries are a promising technology as the use of a solid electrolyte instead of liquid enhances cell safety and allows for the use of new anodes like lithium-metal, significantly outperforming conventional lithium-ion cells and enabling next-level energy densities. The solid-state technology reduces battery weight and has the potential to increase the gravimetric energy density for vehicle batteries up to 450 Wh/kg at the cell level, thereby increasing electric range. Gravimetric energy density refers to the amount of energy stored in a battery cell per unit mass and is crucial for evaluating the efficiency and performance of battery cells, especially in applications like electric vehicles where weight is a critical factor. The solid-state battery in the EQS test vehicle allows for up to 25 percent more electric range compared to the same battery weight and size of a corresponding standard EQS battery. Additional weight and energy efficiency is achieved through passive battery cooling. The development vehicle is expected to have a range of over 621 miles. Over the next few months, Mercedes-Benz will continue its evaluation of the solid-state battery with extensive laboratory and road tests, noting its overall performance in an electric vehicle. Wayne
Hi All: Yesterday, Mercedes-Benz released their 2026 Mercedes-Benz Model Line Updates for the US. Within, it appears we will still be receiving the much-anticipated CLA as they are still stating it will arrive at U.S. dealerships in second half of 2025. 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA Sedan (all-new electric CLA with EQ Technology) All-new CLA with EQ Technology is the most emotional, efficient, intuitive, and intelligent Mercedes-Benz model to date First model of an entirely new vehicle family based on the new MMA architecture First vehicle to fully operate on the new Mercedes-Benz Operating System (MB.OS) New generation MBUX is the first in-car infotainment system to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) from both Microsoft and Google New MBUX Virtual Assistant transforms the relationship between vehicle and driver with generative AI Optional MBUX Superscreen powered by state-of-the-art, high-performance chips and real-time graphics from the Unity Game Engine 800-volt electric architecture for fast charging New generation battery with high energy density and smaller carbon footprint Two-speed transmission combines dynamic performance with high efficiency for all driving situations First Mercedes-Benz vehicle to feature an air-to-air heat pump, contributing to outstanding efficiency My fingers are crossed that this all-new CLA will arrive on our shores in weeks. Wayne
Hi All: In other MB news, the brand continues pushing the EV envelope. 2025 Mercedes-Benz EQS A real-world drive nailing huge range with using the brands solid state battery. Mercedes-Benz completed a demo drive revealing the potential of Solid-State battery technology. A lightly modified Mercedes-Benz EQS equipped with a Li-metal solid-state battery was used for the one-off trek. At the end of August, the car completed the 749-mile trip from Stuttgart, Germany to Malmö, Sweden without a single charging stop. The EQS surpassed the previous record set by the Vision EQXX on its Stuttgart–Silverstone route by nearly two miles and still had 85 miles of range indicated. To support the cells during the volume changes, typical of solid-state technology, and to ensure the necessary pressure on the cell across the SOC envelope, the solid-state battery is equipped with pneumatic actuators. These actuators respond to the changes in cell volume during charging and discharging, thereby ensuring the flawless operation of the battery over time. The usable energy content of the battery was increased by 25 percent, while the weight and size of the battery remain comparable to the standard EQS battery. Additional weight and energy efficiency is achieved through passive airflow cooling. Wayne
Hi All: A few more details on the new CLA headed our way soon… Aerodynamics at Mercedes-Benz Means Improved Efficiency Low air resistance means high efficiency which makes aerodynamics crucial. According to a Mercedes release, reducing the drag coefficient by just 0.01 increases long-distance range by approximately 2.5 percent. One point - one thousandth (0.001), in the Cd value is equivalent to 220 lbs of weight saving or .6 extra miles per charge. A lower Cd value at higher speeds contributes to Mercedes‑Benz's customer-oriented "Real Life Efficiency" philosophy. With air resistance increasing with the square of the speed, if speed doubles, air resistance quadruples. The dimensionless drag coefficient Cd is the measure of the aerodynamic quality of a body and thus also of an automobile. The frontal area indicates how much frontal area a car presents to the wind. Previously, it was determined by projecting the shadow of the body with a very distant lamp onto a transparent screen. Then the outline is drawn, and the total area was calculated from the individual segments. Today, the frontal area is scanned with laser light barriers. The frontal area multiplied by the Cd value is the air resistance. 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA EV On the treadmill within the brands high tech wind tunnel. Small details, big impact: aerodynamic optimization of the new CLA The all-new electric CLA, with a Cd of 0.21, is best in its class. A spread of Cd values across trims is minimized despite a wide range of aerodynamically optimized wheels. Compared to a conventional wheel, the CLA wheel performs up to 15 Cd points better; compared to an already aerodynamically optimized aluminum rim. In addition, the aerodynamicists optimized the wheel spoilers forward of the front and rear axles, taking into account all available wheel sizes to minimize the influence of the wheels and tires on air resistance. In the area around the radiator grille and headlights, the joints were optimally placed and partially sealed. All in, longer range per charge and a quieter driving experience can be attributed to optimizing aerodynamics and Mercedes-Benz is at the forefront. Wayne
