Mercedes-Benz expands its electric range in Europe with a fourth version of its CLA saloon

Mercedes-Benz has just expanded its electric range with a new version of its CLA saloon, for now only available in Germany. The new CLA 250 sits within the range between the entry-level CLA 200 and the CLA 250+, which features a larger-capacity battery pack that allows it to cover a greater distance on each charge.

The CLA 200 remains the entry-level version, with a single motor integrated into the rear axle and equipped with a 58 kWh LFP battery pack, which gives it a WLTP range of 542 km. The CLA 250+, on the other hand, combines a 200 kW motor on the rear axle with a larger NMC battery of up to 85 kWh. This model stands out as the one with the longest WLTP range in the entire line-up, at 792 km. Additionally, Mercedes-Benz also offers the CLA 350 4MATIC at the top of the range, equipped with the same 85 kWh battery but with a dual electric motor setup that raises combined power to 260 kW.

The new CLA 250 retains the same 200 kW rear-axle motor as the CLA 250+, but reduces the capacity of its NMC battery pack to 71 kWh. In this way, it is possible to slightly lower the retail price compared with the CLA 250+, offering a slightly shorter range that is nonetheless more than sufficient for the vast majority of customers. Mercedes-Benz claims that the new CLA 250 can cover up to 674 km on a single charge, always under the WLTP homologation cycle.

The new CLA 250 is probably the smartest choice

When charging with direct current, the battery pack of the new CLA 250 not only has a smaller capacity but also a lower supported power, which drops from the 320 kW of the CLA 250+ to 250 kW in this case. However, because its capacity is smaller, there is no change in the time needed to reach 80 percent charge from 10 percent, which is still around 20 minutes.

Looking at the specification sheet of this new version, it is also worth noting that the new CLA 250 is capable of reaching 100 km/h from a standstill in 6.7 seconds, with its top speed limited to 210 km/h.

As for pricing, in Germany the new CLA 250 starts at 52,871 euros, placing it some 3,500 euros above the entry-level CLA 200 and almost 3,000 euros below the selling price of the CLA 250+. It should be noted, however, that the German manufacturer is currently applying a temporary 5 percent discount to private buyers, which brings its final price down to around 50,235 euros.

For the time being, this new 250 version is only available in Germany, as already mentioned, and in the saloon body style. It is expected, however, that its availability will soon be extended to other countries and that the CLA Shooting Brake, the estate version of this model, will also be offered.