Executive Overview & Vehicle Identity

• Segment: C-Segment Premium 4-Door Coupe / Executive EV
• Platform Architecture: Mercedes-Benz Modular Architecture (MMA)
• Internal Generation Code: C174
• Electrical System: Native 800-Volt Architecture
• Trim Level: CLA 250+ (Long Range / Single-Motor RWD)

1. Electric Drive Unit (EDU) & Drivetrain Kinematics

The CLA 250+ introduces Mercedes-Benz’s next-generation in-house Electric Drive Unit (EDU 2.0), featuring a rear-axle-mounted synchronous motor paired with a 2-speed stepped transmission for optimal efficiency across both urban and high-speed autobahn driving.

• Motor Configuration: Single rear-axle mounted Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PSM)
• Power Electronics: Silicon Carbide (SiC) semiconductor inverter for high thermal and electrical switching efficiency
• Driveline Layout: Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD)
• Maximum Power Output: 200 kW (272 PS / 268 hp)
• Maximum Torque Output: 335 Nm (247 lb-ft)
• Transmission Architecture: 2-Speed Multi-Step Automatic Gearbox
  • 1st Gear: Shorter ratio optimized for low-speed breakaway torque, dynamic urban response, and rapid step-off acceleration.
  • 2nd Gear: Taller overdrive ratio intended to minimize motor rotational speed (RPM) and back-EMF losses during high-speed cruising.
• Energy Recuperation: Up to 200 kW peak regenerative braking capacity with deceleration rates up to 3.0 m/s²
• Acceleration (0–100 km/h): 6.7 seconds
• Top Speed: 210 km/h (Electronically limited)

2. High-Voltage Battery & Thermal Management

• Nominal System Voltage: 800 Volts
• Traction Battery Capacity: 85.0 kWh (Usable / Net)
• Cell Chemistry: Nickel Manganese Cobalt (NMC 811) with silicon-oxide blended anode for high volumetric energy density
• Cell Structure: Direct Cell-to-Pack / Integrated modular structural casing
• Thermal Management: Active multi-circuit liquid cooling/heating with intelligent waste-heat recovery (multi-source heat pump standard)
• Maximum DC Fast Charging Rate: Up to 320 kW (800V native DC)
• DC Charging Time (10% to 80% SoC): Approximately 22 minutes on a 350 kW DC ultra-fast charger
• Replenishment Rate: Adds up to 400 km of WLTP range in approximately 15 minutes of DC charging
• Onboard AC Charger: 11 kW 3-Phase AC onboard charger (0–100% full charge in ~9 hours)

3. Chassis, Suspension & Dynamics

Built upon the high-rigidity MMA unibody, the CLA 250+ combines an aerodynamically optimized underbody with an isolated multi-link suspension setup for low road noise and body control.

Subsystem	Engineering Specification
Front Suspension	Independent MacPherson Strut with forged aluminum lower wishbones, hydro-bushings, and tubular anti-roll bar
Rear Suspension	Independent 5-Link multi-link axle with isolated subframe mounting and progressive damping
Damping System	Passive comfort suspension with frequency-selective damping valves
Braking Hardware (Front)	350 mm Ventilated front discs with 4-piston fixed aluminum calipers
Braking Hardware (Rear)	330 mm Solid discs with single-piston floating calipers and integrated Electric Parking Brake (EPB)
Steering System	Dual-pinion Variable Electromechanical Power Steering (Direct-Steer)
Turning Circle	11.2 m (Wall-to-wall)
Standard Wheels	18-inch to 19-inch AMG Line aerodynamically optimized light-alloy wheels
Standard Tires	225/45 R18 or 235/40 R19 Low Rolling Resistance EV tires

4. Dimensions, Aerodynamics & Packaging

• Overall Length: 4,723 mm (+35 mm vs preceding C118 generation)
• Overall Width: 1,855 mm (Excluding mirrors) (+25 mm vs C118)
• Overall Height: 1,468 mm (+29 mm vs C118)
• Wheelbase: 2,790 mm (+61 mm vs C118)
• Aerodynamic Drag Coefficient: 0.22 Cd (Estimated with active air-flap radiator control and flush door handles)
• Rear Luggage Compartment (VDA Standard): 405 Litres (Expandable via 40:20:40 split rear seatbacks)
• Front Trunk (Frunk): 101 Litres underhood storage with deep utility well
• Total Usable Cargo Capacity: 506 Litres (Combined boot + frunk)

5. Electrical Architecture, ADAS & Cockpit Electronics

The CLA 250+ is powered by the MB.OS (Mercedes-Benz Operating System) running on a high-performance centralized computing architecture with full over-the-air (OTA) vehicle flashing.

Sensor Hardware & ADAS Configuration (MB.Drive Standard Suite)

• Optical Sensors: Forward-facing high-resolution Stereo Multi-Purpose Camera
• Radar Transceivers: 1x Long-range forward radar + 4x 77 GHz Corner radars (providing 360-degree perimeter tracking)
• Ultrasonic Sensors: 12x Surround ultrasonic parking sensors
• Driver Assistance Envelope:
  • Distronic Active Distance Assist: Adaptive cruise control with predictive speed curve adaptation and Stop-and-Go
  • Active Steering & Lane Keeping Assist: Lane centering and emergency steering maneuver assistance
  • Active Brake Assist (AEB): Multi-stage collision avoidance supporting vehicular, cyclist, cross-traffic, and pedestrian detection
  • Blind Spot Assist with Exit Warning: Differential wheel braking intervention to prevent side collisions
  • Parking Assist: Active Park Assist with 360-degree high-definition surround-view cameras
• Passive Safety: 8 SRS Airbags (Front, front side thorax, full-length curtain, front center airbag, driver knee airbag)

Digital Cockpit & MBUX Superscreen

• Display Configuration: Mercedes-Benz MBUX Superscreen featuring three unified glass displays:
  • 10.25-inch High-Definition digital driver cluster
  • 14.4-inch OLED central infotainment display
  • 10.9-inch dedicated front passenger display with privacy-filter shuttering
• Software Base: MB.OS with embedded AI assistant, generative cloud integration, and native Over-the-Air (OTA) firmware update support
• Smartphone Integration: Wireless Apple CarPlay, Wireless Android Auto, Digital Car Key (NFC/UWB capability)
• In-Cabin Charging: Qi wireless smartphone inductive pad + 6x 100W Power Delivery USB-C ports

6. Benchmarking & Efficiency Metrics

Calculated Engineering Metrics

• Power-to-Weight Ratio: ~136 PS / Metric Ton (Estimated at ~2,000 kg DIN kerb weight)
• Torque-to-Weight Ratio: ~167.5 Nm / Metric Ton
• Energy Density: ~12.2 kWh / 100 km (WLTP combined test cycle)

Certified Efficiency Standards

• Rated WLTP Driving Range: Up to 792 km (Single charge)
• Equivalent Electric Range: ~492 miles
• Fast-Charge Velocity: ~1,090 km/hour added at peak 320 kW charging

7. Comparative Segment Matrix: Premium Compact EV Sedans

Engineering Parameter	Mercedes-Benz CLA 250+ (C174)	Tesla Model 3 Long Range (Highland)	BMW i4 eDrive40 (G26)
Platform Architecture	MMA (Native EV / 800V)	Dedicated EV (400V)	CLAR Multi-Energy (400V)
Drivetrain	Single Motor RWD (2-Speed Gearbox)	Dual Motor AWD (Single-Speed)	Single Motor RWD (Single-Speed)
Power Output	272 PS (200 kW)	394 PS (290 kW)	340 PS (250 kW)
Torque Output	335 Nm	493 Nm	430 Nm
Usable Battery Capacity	85.0 kWh	75.0 kWh	81.2 kWh
Peak DC Charging Rate	320 kW (800V)	250 kW (400V)	205 kW (400V)
10–80% DC Charge Time	~22 minutes	~27 minutes	~31 minutes
WLTP Driving Range	Up to 792 km	629 km	590 km
Energy Consumption	12.2 kWh / 100 km	14.0 kWh / 100 km	16.1 kWh / 100 km
Total Luggage (Boot + Frunk)	506 L (405L + 101L)	682 L (594L + 88L)	470 L (No Frunk)