MERCEDES UNVEILS NEW CLA EV

EV Channels Review

The Friday Charge podcast discusses the unveiling of the new Mercedes-Benz CLA EV, built on the dedicated MMA platform. The vehicle will be available with two battery options (58 kWh and 85 kWh), though US consumers will only receive the larger pack, with Mercedes claiming up to 492 miles (WLTP) of range. The CLA will feature an 800-volt architecture, enabling up to 200 kW of regenerative braking and 186 miles of range added in 10 minutes. Both front-wheel and all-wheel drive variants will be offered, with the AWD system capable of disconnecting the front motor for efficiency. The interior is praised for its ambient lighting, but the exterior design, particularly the front grille and light bar combination, receives mixed reactions, with some finding it too busy or reminiscent of other models. The hosts also touch upon GM's new partnership with Nvidia for self-driving technology, BYD's groundbreaking 1000-volt Super E platform capable of 1 MW charging, Nissan's US battery deal with SK On, and Rivian's debut as a police cruiser. The episode concludes with the hosts sharing their experiences driving the GMC Sierra EV Denali and the Hummer EV Omega Edition.