Words: Abhay Verma
The all-new Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric sedan has been launched in India, with prices starting from ₹ 55 lakh introductory ex-showroom for the CLA 200. The higher-specced CLA 250+ has been priced at ₹ 59 lakh introductory ex-showroom and is the one that comes loaded with all the bells and gongs, besides being more powerful and boasting a longer range per charge too. There is also a CLA Launch Edition which is priced at ₹64 lakh introductory ex-showroom. The CLA Electric has no direct rival to say so, at least in the luxury car space, but in a way, it faces off against the BMW iX1 LWB to say, being the entry-point to the range of EVs Mercedes-Benz sells in India. Interestingly, the CLA Electric also replaces a few cars sold in India by Mercedes-Benz previously, including the A-Class Limousine and the EQA and EQB electric SUVs.
The CLA 200 is being pegged as the standard range version while the CLA 250+ is being offered as the long-range version, which is the one we have tested already. Effectively, the CLA 200 uses a smaller, 58kWh battery, as compared to the CLA 250’s 85kWh battery, and while the CLA offers a claimed range of 542km per charge, the CLA 250 boasts a highly impressive 792km per charge, which is only second to its own elder siblings, like the EQS 450 SUV and EQS 580 sedan. The CLA 250 uses a rear-axle mounted electric motor and is a rear-wheel drive sedan, and offers 268PS and 335Nm, and uses an 800V architecture, which allows faster charging speeds of up to 240kW. This means a range of 320km and 400km is possible for the CLA 200 and CLA 250 respectively, in 20 minutes, at 240kW.
The CLA Electric looks very modern and futuristic and has a very eye-catching design, which also reminds us of the older generation CLA that was sold in India previously. The design incorporates the Mercedes-Benz’s three-pointed star into the headlamps and tail lamps both for an eye-catching appearance, and despite being an ‘entry-level’ sedan to say so, the CLA Electric looks very premium. The interiors look very premium and upmarket too, with an upright dashboard design that incorporates a number of three-pointed stars into the left side of the dashboard, along with two screens.
The CLA also comes equipped with some of the most advanced tech to feature in a Mercedes-Benz car, including as many as four supercomputers and multiple AI assistants that work to offer what Mercedes-Benz claims is an unparalleled in-car experience. The car can even predict the best route for you and tell you in real-time as to how many chargers you will find on the way to your destination, depending on your ETA whether or not a particular charger will be free and a lot more, besides engaging in conversation with you at any given point in time. Click here to read our first drive review of the Mercedes-Benz CLA 250+.
