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The 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class EV will have a hybrid sibling
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The CLA EV will be able to add 186 miles of range in 10 minutes
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CLA EVs will feature both CCS and NACS charge ports
The next-generation Mercedes-Benz CLA won’t just be a redesigned car. It will mark the introduction of a new era for Mercedes.
Arriving late next year, the 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA EV will set the path forward for the Three-Pointed Star with in-house developed electric powertrains for its new MMA skateboard chassis, a future-proofed electrical architecture, and even dual charge ports under one door.
For consumers not ready to jump fully into the EV future with both feet, a hybrid model will be offered to ease the transition.
Mercedes-Benz CLA
2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA EV features new electric motors and a 2-speed transmission
Every electric Mercedes-Benz going forward will use the CLA’s new scalable powertrain.
Developed in-house, the new electric motors, dubbed EDU 2.0 (Electric Drive Units 2.0), use silicon-carbide inverters. Rear-wheel-drive CLA models will have a 268-hp permanently synchronous motor (PSM) mounted in the rear. All-wheel drive 4Matic models will add a 107-hp motor up front, but it will only engage when accelerating, driving dynamically, in Sport mode, or when slip is detected.
Every new Mercedes EV will feature a heat pump in the name of efficiency.
The CLA EV will be the first, but engineers believe pretty much every Mercedes EV to come after it will feature the automaker’s new in-house designed 2-speed transmission.
Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class EV
Unlike the 2-speed in the Porsche Taycan, which is used to increase performance, Mercedes has designed this transmission in the name of smoothness and efficiency.
First gear utilizes an 11:1 ratio and maxes out at 68 mph. Second gear steps down to a 5:1 ratio and enables a top speed of 130 mph. Mercedes engineers said second gear, which is engaged with a dog clutch, is programmed for highway cruising, while first gear, which uses a wet friction clutch, is for dynamic and low-speed driving. The car can start in second gear off the line though. Mercedes claims shifts will be transparent to the occupants.
Mercedes-Benz CLA
CLA to have CCS and NACS charge ports
The CLA will be the first Mercedes vehicle to launch with both CCS and NACS (Tesla) charging ports, both of which will sit next to each other under a single charge port door. Mercedes engineers said no one wants to deal with adapters and this sidesteps that equation.
The charge ports are connected to a future-proofed 800-volt electrical architecture that enables fast-charging at speeds of up to 320 kw. At a 10% state of charge, Mercedes said the CLA can add 186 miles of range, or approximately 36 kwh, to its 85.0-kwh (usable) battery pack in 10 minutes. Charging from 10-80% will take less than 22 minutes, according to Mercedes.
An 11.0-kwh onboard charger is provided for Level 2 AC charging, but Mercedes wouldn’t discuss charging times yet. Expect about eight hours.
Mercedes-Benz CLA
CLA debuts Mercedes’ next-generation regenerative braking
Mercedes engineers acknowledged the EQS’s shortcomings in terms of regenerative braking. The CLA’s system has been redeveloped and shares little in concept.
Still a two-stage blended system, the regenerative braking in the CLA EV will be engaged until the system’s conditions are no longer met (battery is too full, too cold, too hot, etc). Then the friction brakes will be engaged. If those conditions aren’t met, Mercedes said the regenerative braking is capable of up to 200 kw of recuperation, then the friction brakes will have to take over.
When recuperating energy through regenerative braking the brake pedal won’t move on its own like it does in the EQE and EQS.
One-pedal driving will be part of the system, which consists of four levels of regenerative braking: D-, D, D+, and D Auto. The vehicle will remember which level of regenerative braking was last selected upon each new key cycle and stick with the setting until the user changes it, unlike current Mercedes EVs, which default to today’s D mode.
Mercedes-Benz CLA powertrain
The CLA hybrid will live alongside the EV
The new MMA skateboard chassis was designed for EVs, but a hybrid powertrain was developed to ensure an easy transition for buyers.
In the hybrid, a new 1.5-liter turbo-4 will be paired with a 27-hp electric motor sandwiched into an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. Total system output is 187 hp. A 1.3-kwh lithium-ion battery pack mounted under the driver’s seat will feed the motor. Power will go to the front wheels as standard, but all-wheel drive will be available.
Mercedes said the electric motor is powerful enough to drive on electricity alone up to 62 mph, and the engine can disconnect from the motor and transmission to sail while going down the road.
Mercedes-Benz hasn’t announced prices, equipment, or complete specs for the 2026 CLA EV and Hybrid. Look for that information closer to launch.
Mercedes-Benz paid for travel and lodging along with some German pretzels for Motor Authority to bring you this background information.