► New Mercedes CLA snapped testing
► ICE or EV power
► Based on the MMA platform
The new Mercedes CLA will come with a choice of electric or combustion powertrains – and you’re looking at a prototype of the former. Our spy photographers snapped the forthcoming EV testing months before its full reveal, and even with the camouflage we can draw some conclusions.
What will it look like?
Revealed in Munich earlier this year, the Concept CLA Class gives us the biggest clues yet as to what the forthcoming CLA production car will look like – and it’s possible to see hints of the concept under the camouflage here. New production headlights can be seen peeping out of the camo, and although they appear to be ,roe conventional than those of the Concept CLA Class, it’s possible they’ll be connected by a similar-styled light bar. Both the front and rear lights will utilise such a strip.
We can also see the final production rear lights of the forthcoming CLA, and they clearly carry elements of the Concept CLA Class revealed just weeks ago. Look closely at the camouflage on the prototype below, and you can see how it covers up a three-pointed star.
Mercedes is doubling down on its logo as a design trademark – and using it throughout the car. Although still streamlined, this is going to be a bolder looking car than the EQE saloon.
From a swooping roofline to a bulbous front end, the CLA looks to splice CLA with EQ DNA for an efficient – and hopefully stylish saloon.
Inside expect a luxurious interior with a curved dashboard.
What’s it based on?
The forthcoming CLA will run on Mercedes’ MMA or Mercedes Modular Architecture platform just debuted in the Concept CLA Class. Capable of handling both ICE and EV, it’s one of the last platforms to accept a combustion powertrain.
The new Concept CLA Class won’t make it to production, but its DNA will be carried into four new production cars that’ll also use the MMA platform. Mercedes says the concept will spawn the four-door saloon you see here , a shooting brake and two SUVs.
The car here will be revealed towards the end of 2024, but the three other models will use the same design style as the car pictured above.