Mercedes-Benz unveiled the ‘Concept CLA Class’ at the IAA Mobility 2023 held in Munich, Germany. The Concept CLA Class offers a glimpse into what the new entry segment model family will look like and also confirms the company’s vision for entry segment vehicles, which play an important role in Mercedes-Benz’s long-term portfolio in the face of electrification and the digital age.
The Concept CLA Class, designed as the first vehicle based on the upcoming Mercedes-Benz Modular Architecture (MMA) platform, indicates the direction of next-generation electric drive technology that will serve as the foundation for mass production models. Mercedes-Benz has researched groundbreaking technologies that enhance efficiency, such as the 800V high-voltage electric drive system and advanced battery technology with excellent energy density, revealed through the Vision EQXX, and applied them directly to the Concept CLA Class. As a result, the Concept CLA Class boasts an impressive expected range of 750 km (WLTP standard) on a single charge, alongside extraordinary energy consumption efficiency of 12 kWh/100 km, the highest in its segment.
The Concept CLA Class demonstrates how Mercedes-Benz’s custom-developed operating system, MB.OS (Mercedes-Benz Operating System), can provide real-life utility for customers. Equipped with the MBUX SuperScreen, MB.OS offers AI-based, personalized UI/UX that introduces a new level of customization.
Moreover, the Concept CLA Class is equipped with advanced SAE Level 2 autonomous driving technology and an all-new advanced child detection system, showcasing Mercedes-Benz’s passion for achieving ‘accident-free driving.’
In addition, the Concept CLA Class exhibits a more evolved ‘sensual purity’ through iconic and dynamic exterior design. The interior, focused on providing a comfortable driving experience, is fully equipped with cutting-edge technology and convenience features, poised to deliver the best experience for customers in the upcoming electrified and digital era.
Referred to as ‘the most efficient car in Mercedes-Benz history,’ the Vision EQXX incorporates innovative technologies for electric driving, which are also carried over into the Concept CLA Class. This allows the Concept CLA Class to achieve over approximately 750 km on a single charge, with remarkable energy consumption efficiency, traveling 100 km using just 12 kWh.
The Concept CLA Class features the next-generation electric drive unit developed by Mercedes-Benz (Mercedes-Benz Electric Drive Unit, MB.EDU), influenced directly by the efficient devices in the Vision EQXX. Furthermore, the high-voltage battery also employs the same functional integration and cell packaging principles used in the Vision EQXX to achieve high energy density.
Additionally, the heat pump, proven effective in the Vision EQXX, has been installed. This pump has been significantly improved compared to existing vehicle heat pumps, allowing it to extract heat from ambient external air even in sub-zero temperatures to raise the interior temperature of the Concept CLA Class. Alongside the intelligent operating system, the heat pump minimizes additional heating usage in cold winters, greatly contributing to driving range.
The Concept CLA Class is equipped with an innovative battery system developed for the MMA platform. Customers can choose between two battery materials. The top-tier version features electrodes designed with silicon oxide for outstanding energy density, while the entry-level battery uses lithium phosphate. The battery cell modules installed on the MMA platform are secured with adhesives rather than screws, significantly reducing overall volume. As a result, the battery is not only lighter but also sturdier, ensuring safety in the event of a collision. Additionally, the 800V setup allows for high-voltage resilience while also reducing cooling requirements. Thanks to this high-voltage configuration, fast charging at 250 kW DC power is possible, providing a range of up to 400 km with just 15 minutes of charging.
The Concept CLA Class employs the next-generation electric drive unit (MB.EDU) developed by Mercedes-Benz itself. The MB.EDU integrates motor, transmission, and power electronics into a single processor, featuring a hydrocarbon inverter that enables highly efficient power utilization. This results in an overall package weighing less than 110 kg, showcasing powerful yet compact performance.
Moreover, the MB.EDU is equipped with high-performance power electronics that aid in highly efficient energy utilization. Particularly during long-distance travel, it meticulously minimizes power loss across the system, boasting an impressive energy efficiency of up to 93% from battery to wheels.
Mercedes-Benz redefines the future of automobiles, not merely as a means of transportation but as a new dimension of ‘partners.’ To achieve this vision, Mercedes-Benz has been developing the dedicated operating system MB.OS, maximizing the potential of current and future software. The upcoming MMA platform will be the first to fully implement MB.OS, highlighting its central role through dedicated lighting within the Concept CLA Class to visualize key functions. MB.OS operates using state-of-the-art chips and system-on-chip (SoC) driven AI and machine learning, supported by advanced sensors and the Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Cloud. The complex multi-faceted architecture features high-performance water-cooled chips from partner NVIDIA, equipping all vehicles developed on the MMA platform with supercomputers.
MB.OS upgrades not only the vehicle but also enhances customers’ personal experiences through software and AI. The MBUX SuperScreen in the Concept CLA Class combines ambient lighting and sound to provide drivers and passengers with an immersive luxury experience that cannot be found in existing segment vehicles. The three screens offer a variety of themed ambient styles, providing higher levels of personalization, while virtual assistants can provide desired information and even make suggestions. Additionally, the integrated game engine can render high-resolution images in real-time graphics for sharper and quicker information retrieval.
The MB.OS architecture enables a high level of networking between vehicle systems, sensors, and actuators, facilitating the development and implementation of highly sophisticated safety features. Thanks to this, the Concept CLA Class is capable of enhanced SAE Level 2 autonomous driving functionality. For instance, it allows partial automation driving on almost all types of roads, assists in lane changes on multi-lane roads, and automatically navigates narrow parking spaces.
Additionally, the Concept CLA Class features the first-ever ‘Advanced Child Detection System.’ This system is designed to prevent the risk of leaving children inside the vehicle on hot days.
Based on over 20 interface networks, this system is activated when it detects the presence of children in the vehicle through their unique breathing patterns. The sensors detecting the system are incredibly sensitive, capable of even detecting an infant’s breath. The camera can also detect if an adult is seated in the passenger seat. If a child is found in a parked vehicle, the system will warn the driver immediately after the ignition is turned off. If the vehicle is connected to the same Mercedes me account as the driver’s smartphone, the system regularly sends messages to the driver’s smartphone.
Furthermore, the system monitors the vehicle’s interior temperature and, if it rises above a dangerous level, alerts those around the vehicle with audio-visual warnings while activating the climate control system to lower the interior temperature.
Dynamic and lively exterior design & The ultimate modernity achieved through the fusion of analog and digital
The Concept CLA Class marks the beginning of a new era and signifies the evolution of the brand’s unique design language – ‘sensual purity.’ The vehicle itself is an icon, featuring a distinctively dynamic exterior combined with a hyper-analogue interior that integrates analog and digital elements, embodying ultimate modernity.
Mercedes-Benz designers have applied emotional lighting to the iconic three-pointed star, clearly expressing that the triangular star symbolizes the history of automotive evolution. The combination of electrification and digitalization is represented through ultra-low-energy LED lighting, allowing dynamic and lively expressions from any viewing angle. This new and unique design starts at the front end and flows along the side with light strips above the front and rear wheel arches.
The Concept CLA Class showcases great proportions with long wheelbase, short overhang, sleek body, and smooth hood, exuding both confidence and boldness as a show car. The front applies the ‘shark nose’ design, characterized by a seamless grill panel that acts as the central axis of the vehicle, serving as a canvas for the LED-illuminated triangular star pattern and the central Mercedes-Benz star. The horizontal light bands wrapping around the front and rear add dimensionality to the lighting composition, and due to the innovative materials, appear as mirror chrome when not illuminated. Moreover, through different animation lighting schemes for daytime and nighttime, it enhances liveliness and dynamism, tailoring personalization features for the driver.
The interior theme of the Concept CLA Class is ‘ultimate modernity.’ The interior exemplifies ‘HyperAnalogue,’ where analog and digital harmoniously merge, redefining the standards for segment interiors. The overall effect is stunning, with seats crafted from expertly processed Napa leather using paper trim and plant-based tanning agents. This innovative material contrasts with the high-gloss surfaces, offering a stylish visual and tactile aesthetic. During the day, natural light floods through the expansive glass roof, complemented by carefully calibrated soft LED ambient lighting. The shimmering silver and crystal white color palette adds a futuristic ambiance, while the refreshing blue and sensual violet color details enhance the luxury feel.
The Concept CLA Class features the MBUX SuperScreen, which showcases high-efficiency mini LED technology and immersive 3D graphics, originally premiered in the Vision EQXX. It enhances the width of the interior while giving the effect of the screen floating in front of the driver and front seat passenger, adding an element of playfulness. Additionally, the brilliant high-definition graphics and class-leading digital functionality provide another level of enjoyment in driving.
In the Concept CLA Class, there are opportunities that hint at transforming the vehicle into a home energy storage device through bidirectional charging based on software and hardware. By connecting the vehicle to a bidirectional DC charging station, customers can store solar power in the vehicle for later use. This effectively allows the vehicle to serve as a V2H (Vehicle-to-Home) or V2G (Vehicle-to-Grid) electricity supply device.
The permanent magnet synchronous motor (PSM) used in the MB.EDU has significantly reduced rare earth content to nearly 0% compared to previous generations. The new MMA platform-based electric drive system has made a significant contribution to carbon-neutral manufacturing. Apart from batteries, carbon neutrality has been achieved in the production of electrode materials by up to 40%. Mercedes-Benz could further reduce emissions by utilizing renewable energy in the production and refining of raw materials.
Lee Sang-jin daedusj@autodiary.kr