Mercedes-Benz announces a longer-wheelbase variant of the CLA for China

Just over a month after the world premiere of the new CLA, Mercedes-Benz has unveiled at the Shanghai Auto Show a long-wheelbase variant of this electric saloon, which will be sold exclusively in China. This model, called CLA L, marks a milestone for the brand, as it is the first vehicle in this category to receive a longer version for this market, just as the C-Class and E-Class did before it.

The CLA L does not feature drastic changes compared with the European version, apart from its wheelbase, which grows by four centimetres, from 2.79 to 2.83 metres, while its overall length increases from 4.72 to 4.76 metres. This additional space is designed to offer greater comfort to rear-seat passengers, an aspect highly valued in China. The width and height of the CLA L are unchanged from the standard model.

In the Chinese market, the CLA L will be offered with rear-wheel drive, a two-speed transmission and an 800-volt electrical architecture. This model promises a range of up to 866 kilometres under the Chinese CLTC homologation cycle, with an energy consumption of 10.9 kWh/100 km. The standard CLA intended for the European market, meanwhile, promises a range of 792 kilometres, but under the WLTP homologation standard, so direct comparisons are meaningless.

An eagerly awaited turning point for the brand

The CLA is the first vehicle built on the new MMA Modular Architecture of Mercedes-Benz, presented in March in Rome. With this model, the German manufacturer seeks to consolidate its transition towards electrification, following the modest results achieved so far with the EQ series. A technical aspect that sets this new Mercedes-Benz saloon apart is that it features an 800-volt architecture, which allows faster charging, reduces the thickness and weight of the interior wiring and improves overall efficiency.

Production of the electric CLA began early, just a few days ago, at the German Rastatt plant, which will allow the first deliveries in Europe to be brought forward to the end of this month of April, instead of mid-June, as originally planned.