Mercedes CLA Concept study: glass ball on wheels

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What’s okay with BMW is that Mercedes is cheap. The Munich automaker is teasing a preview of the new class at its home match at IAA Mobility, and Mercedes is countering it with a concept for the upcoming CLA. The prototype envisions not just one vehicle, but a whole family of four cars, all based on Mercedes’ new Benz Modular Architecture (MMA) platform: the sedan is accompanied by a coupe, a shooting brake and two SUVs. including one coupe.

The design of the concept car provides an overview of the design language of the entire model family. The radiator grille with numerous stars and the taillights with the characteristic star signature are well placed; You already know these from the new E-Class. Similar to BMW’s current platform, the MMA platform is not only fully electric but also suitable for internal combustion engines.

But at Mercedes, “electric vehicles come first.” The CLA electric car, which will be released at the end of 2024, is expected to travel more than 750 kilometers in the standard cycle and consume only an average of around 12 kilowatt-hours per 100 kilometers. Thanks to 800 volt technology, batteries are quickly recharged. “The car is very close to series production and gives an idea of ​​Mercedes’ entry into the electric world,” says product manager Timo Kallenbach. Therefore, it is worth taking a closer look at the prototype, including the large glass roof. From the bottleneck shape of the body to the efficiency of the drivetrain, which uses 93 percent of electricity for propulsion, it is immediately clear that the inspiration was the Mercedes Vision EQXX.

Completely trimmed for efficiency

The improved heat pump helps save electricity, reducing the load on the battery and warming the passenger compartment even in winter. When it comes to driving assistants, the focus is also on the future: the CLA must be ready for Level 3 autonomous driving. However, this requires lidar laser sensors, which are not very cheap. Since the upcoming CLA will become the new entry-level drug in the Mercedes model range, Kallenbach needs to look at costs.

The CLA heralds a new era in infotainment, just like the current A-Class with the first MBUX operating system in 2018. New is MB.OS, an operating system developed in-house for an entire generation of vehicles. The times when innovations first appeared in the S-Class and were transferred later are finally over. With MB.OS, hardware and software are separated. This allows software developers to move quickly, adapt to trends and bring them into the tool in a short time via over-the-air updates.

Vehicle computer needs water cooling

But for a seamless digital experience like on a smartphone or tablet, a powerful, water-cooled processor is required. This is also prominently illuminated in the Mercedes Concept CLA-Class and is visibly displayed in the footwell. It provides high computing power that enables the integration of cloud and artificial intelligence. The latter will, among other things, help with voice control for a more natural interaction between humans and machines. First of all, the system must learn from the driver and adapt to his preferences.

Featuring three screens stretching across the entire dashboard, the interior also offers a preview of the production model. There is also a free-floating center console and sustainable materials in the interior, such as decorative elements made of paper or bamboo. Environmentally friendly steel produced with renewable electricity was used in the body. So what will happen to the A and B Class when the new CLA Class launches at the end of 2024? So this must be the end of today’s cheapest Mercedes models.

Source: Blick