Opportunities to experience pre-production development vehicles usually occur under highly controlled conditions. This often involves a closed track or a well-known stretch of road that engineers have tested extensively, ensuring the camouflage-covered prototype behaves predictably. However, our initial in-car encounter with Mercedes-Benz‘s forthcoming electric CLA-class was a completely different experience.
The Timmelsjoch Pass is a winding stretch of asphalt that climbs over the Austrian Alps and descends into Italy. In summer, it’s a favorite destination for thrill-seeking motorcyclists, but for the rest of the year, it remains closed due to heavy snowfall in the surrounding mountains. Mercedes, however, had the route specially cleared and reopened for our drive. Spanning less than 10 miles, the journey took nearly an hour, with white-out conditions and towering snowbanks adding to the challenge. Far from controlled conditions, it was the perfect setting to showcase just how impressive Mercedes’s reinvented CLA already is.
The 2026 CLA represents much more than a mere update to Mercedes-Benz’s smallest and most affordable sedan in the U.S. market. This model debuts the new Mercedes-Benz Modular Architecture (MMA) platform, signaling the dawn of the brand’s next generation of electrified innovations. Both the vehicle and the platform are direct evolutions of the EQXX concept, which achieved an impressive balance of exceptional aerodynamics and striking design—qualities that current flagship EV sedans like the EQE and EQS struggle to fully embody.
What lies beneath the surface is even more significant. The CLA features a 268-hp permanently excited synchronous rear motor paired with a two-speed transmission, ensuring efficient and seamless power delivery from a standstill to a top speed of 130 mph. For those seeking all-wheel drive, an optional front motor adds 107 horsepower. Thanks to a disconnect system similar to that of the EQE SUV, the front motor engages only when necessary, preventing it from becoming a literal drag when not in use.
The additional traction was certainly put to the test during our uphill ride. Starting at low speeds on loose snow, the prototype’s 18-inch Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 winter tires had to prove their worth. Even as the snow transitioned to uneven icy patches, the car maintained steady and precise tracking up steep inclines. This performance was a testament not only to the quality of the tires but also to the updated control systems managing both of the CLA’s motors.
As we climbed higher, the weather intensified, enveloping us and our driver, Mercedes e-drive expert Timo Stegmaier, in a thick snowstorm. Visibility quickly deteriorated, and the snow became so blinding that the driving instructor ahead of us accidentally drove his GLC SUV straight into a snowbank. We carefully maneuvered past and continued upward, only to encounter another hidden snowbank in the blinding white. Unlike the GLC, which required assistance from a G-Class and a tow rope, the CLA managed to free itself with minimal effort. Even restarting from a standstill on a steep incline covered in six inches of fresh powder—conditions that made walking precarious—proved no challenge. Stegmaier explained that the upgraded control systems allow the CLA to adapt more rapidly to traction loss, applying only as much torque as the tires can handle.
We also gained valuable insight into the car’s ride quality. Most of the terrain consisted of rough, uneven surfaces, with layers of broken ice that could have easily resulted in a jarring experience. However, the CLA remained smooth and comfortable throughout. Even on the occasional clear stretches, where Stegmaier was able to accelerate to highway speeds, the ride quality remained consistently refined.
There’s not much we can reveal about the CLA’s interior just yet. Much like the exterior, the dashboard and most controls were concealed under fabric. However, what little we could glimpse hinted at a fresh and slightly different design direction compared to many current Mercedes models. Despite being a pre-production model, the cabin felt unexpectedly spacious and comfortable. The rear seats offered ample room for adults, benefitting from the added headroom provided by the expansive panoramic glass roof. In contrast, the rear window, while steeply sloped as is typical for the CLA, was notably smaller. It accumulated so much snow and ice during our drive that we found ourselves wishing for a rear wiper.
That said, the average future CLA owner is unlikely to face conditions severe enough to challenge a sled team. What matters more is whether this car can deliver on its promises of range and efficiency. While concrete figures are still forthcoming, the Concept CLA unveiled in 2023 set high expectations, boasting an average consumption of 5.2 miles per kilowatt-hour and a WLTP-estimated range of 466 miles—equivalent to roughly 396 miles under EPA standards. Regenerative braking plays a significant role here, with the ability to recover up to 200 kilowatts of energy, far exceeding what Mercedes’ current EVs can achieve. The car will also include a true one-pedal driving mode when its maximum regeneration setting is activated.
Charging speed is another crucial factor. While Mercedes will offer a range of 800-volt battery options and chemistries in other markets, the U.S. will receive a single option: a nickel-manganese-cobalt battery with 85.0 kilowatt-hours of usable capacity. According to Stegmaier, this battery supports DC fast-charging at speeds of up to 320 kilowatts. In practical terms, that translates to gaining 186 miles of range in just 10 minutes.
There will also be another option: Mercedes-Benz will offer a 188-hp CLA hybrid, which will share the same platform despite its very different powertrain. This version will forgo the electric CLA’s frunk in favor of a 1.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine, but according to Stegmaier, the overall packaging of the two models will be largely similar. Externally, they will look almost identical as well, though we’ll have to wait a few months to see how they compare to the 2023 concept. What we can say now is that the new CLA looks stunning in red camouflage and performed impressively as it navigated the snow, safely and comfortably bringing us back to the ski lodge at the foot of the Timmelsjoch pass. Our anticipation to get behind the wheel has only grown.
