A Mercedes-Benz CLA EV prototype toppled a report set by Porsche Taycan
Mercedes drove prototype 2,309 miles in 24 hours round Nardo take a look at monitor
Manufacturing Mercedes CLA EV may turn into best U.S.-market EV
Data are supposed to be damaged, and Mercedes-Benz has simply busted one set by Porsche.
In April, Mercedes-Benz quietly took an electrical CLA-Class prototype to the Nardo take a look at monitor with the intention of seeing what number of miles may very well be pushed in 24 hours. The reply ended up being 2,309 miles, which set a brand new report.
2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA EV prototype units distance report at Nardo
Beneath what was internally codenamed Mission N—the N stood for Nardo—the staff took two close-to-production prototype electrical CLAs and aimed to set a report. Porsche set the earlier report of 2,128 miles again in 2019 with a Taycan.
The complete feat took 40 charging breaks, with every break lasting about 10 minutes. The 2026 CLA can add 186 miles of vary, or about 36 kwh to its 85-kwh battery pack, in 10 minutes, in keeping with Mercedes, when began at a ten% state of cost. The automaker mentioned that 10 minutes ought to convey the pack to 50%.
2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA EV prototype units distance report at Nardo
That speedy charging is enabled partly by the CLA’s 800-volt electrical structure, similar to the Taycan has.
The record-setting electrical CLA began out at 100% state-of-charge and the staff optimized the charging technique in actual time to take note of air temp and environmental components similar to wind. The staff additionally needed to take note of the actual fact the charger was situated in a specific spot on the monitor, so the stops had been deliberate, and the state of cost at which the automobile received plugged in was not constant.
Mercedes mentioned the ambient air temperature ranged from 55.4 levels Fahrenheit at night time to 84.2 levels throughout the day.
2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA EV prototype units distance report at Nardo
The automobile’s common pace throughout the take a look at was 96.2 mph with the automobile’s high pace of 130 mph reached throughout the session.
The staff consisted of six drivers and three shift modifications with the rear-wheel-drive CLA EV. A single 200-kw completely synchronous motor despatched 268 hp to the rear wheels. Its 2-speed automated transmission aided with the effectivity, in keeping with Mercedes.
The Porsche Taycan isn’t essentially the most environment friendly EV available on the market. That distinction is held by the Lucid Air with its 5.0 mi/kwh vary ranking. However the Taycan constantly overachieves and overdelivers above and past its EPA vary rankings in real-world driving, which may very well be attributed partly to its 2-speed transmission and taller cruising ratio. Ought to the manufacturing model high the Air, as Mercedes seems to assert for its prototype, it might herald a brand new effectivity king when the 2026 CLA EV arrives later in 2025.
Mercedes-Benz paid for journey and lodging together with some German pretzels for Inexperienced Automotive Stories to convey you this firsthand report.
