Mercedes-Benz begins sales of the new long-wheelbase CLA in China

At an event held in Beijing on November 5, the German manufacturer officially presented the new electric CLA for the Chinese market. It is a model that differs from the one we already know here in Europe due to its longer wheelbase, with four centimetres more, which brings its overall length to 4.76 metres.

This increase in dimensions responds to a clear preference among Chinese consumers, who mainly favour vehicles that offer more legroom in the rear seats. A factor to bear in mind, which is leading many manufacturers to create extended-wheelbase versions exclusively for the Chinese market.

Produced locally at the Beijing Benz Automotive Co plant, the CLA L arrives in China with very aggressive pricing in order to compete in such a challenging market. The new electric saloon from Mercedes-Benz will be available in the Chinese market from 249,000 yuan – around 30,300 euros –, a price reduction of 10,000 yuan – around 1,200 euros – compared with the initially announced price.

The top-of-the-range version, on the other hand, is priced there at 285,600 yuan – close to 35,000 euros -, although it is not the most expensive. To mark the launch, Mercedes-Benz is offering a limited edition of one hundred units, which includes the AMG package and an additional screen for rear-seat occupants, priced at 299,900 yuan. This works out to around 36,600 euros.

Distance devourer

Beyond the longer wheelbase, another highlight of the CLA L is its range. The German manufacturer promises that its electric saloon is capable of covering up to 866 km on a single charge, under the CLTC homologation cycle. This long-range version, which claims an average consumption of just 10.9 kWh per 100 km, is equipped with a 89 kWh battery pack, which powers a 200 kW electric motor located on the rear axle.

When recharging, the CLA L’s 800-volt architecture enables ultra-fast charging at a maximum power of 325 kW, making it possible to add 370 kilometres of range in just ten minutes.

To also suit the tastes of Chinese customers, Mercedes has upgraded the infotainment system of its electric saloon by integrating Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8295 chip, and adding the Doubao voice assistant, developed by ByteDance – the company that owns TikTok. This AI-powered system promises a more intuitive experience, better aligned with the expectations of young audiences in this Asian country.