Mercedes CLA: A mastermind on wheels

How many grains of sand are there on all the beaches in the world? Nobody knows - yet Mercedes claims that the superbrain in the new CLA masters more computing processes in eight hours than there are grains of sand.

The computing power is indeed very impressive: the liquid-cooled supercomputer called MB.OS, which forms the basis for all vehicle functions of the new 800-volt architecture from Mercedes, manages 254 trillion operations per second. It controls the infotainment system, coordinates eight cameras, five radar sensors and twelve ultrasonic sensors for semi-autonomous driving and various other assistance systems, regulates the comfort features on board and controls the driving and charging functions. The system decouples the software from the hardware - making over-the-air updates of the entire vehicle software, including the driver assistance systems, possible for the first time.

Empathetic thanks to AI
The driver feels this new dimension of computing power above all when interacting with the MBUX infotainment system. This integrates artificial intelligence (AI) from both Microsoft and Google, which should enable the voice assistant to conduct complex, multi-part dialogs. This worked reasonably well on our test drive, but the system revealed some communication problems and knowledge gaps, despite the combined forces of ChatGPT and Microsoft Bing.

The new computing power also enables even more intelligent route planning by the navigation system, which is based on Google Maps in the new CLA and also uses AI to determine the fastest route, including charging stops. The navigation system not only reacts dynamically to the traffic situation or a change in driving style, but also takes into account the topography, wind conditions, ambient temperature and heating and cooling requirements in order to suggest charging stops en route more precisely and efficiently.

The information from the new infotainment system is displayed on up to three screens. There is also a large head-up display that projects the most important information into the driver's field of vision. The optional front passenger display can also be used to access streaming services such as Disney+ or play video games via a wireless Bluetooth controller. Of course, these services are only displayed on the main screen for the driver when the vehicle is stationary.

Also as a combustion engine
Of course, the new CLA can also drive, and not just comfortably, but also very efficiently. This is primarily thanks to the good aerodynamics of the 4.72-meter-long saloon with a drag coefficient (c_wPowered by a lithium-ion battery with 85 kWh capacity, the rear-wheel drive CLA 250+ with 200 kW/272 hp output (from CHF 61,900) achieves a WLTP consumption of 12.2 kWh per 100 kilometers at best - that is outstandingly good. On our test drive, mostly on country roads with few city and highway stretches, we achieved an average of less than 15 kWh. The standard range according to the WLTP is up to 792 kilometers for this model.

The more powerful all-wheel drive version CLA 350 4matic with a system output of 260 kW/354 hp (from CHF 63,900) does not consume much more in the WLTP cycle and thus achieves a standard range of up to 770 kilometers. However, the sporty performance (0 to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds) is not often enjoyed. The basic CLA 200 version with a smaller battery (58 kWh) will be added at the end of the year. Thanks to the new 800-volt architecture, the charging capacity has been increased to a maximum of 320 kW. In the best case scenario, a range of up to 325 kilometers can be recharged in just 10 minutes.

And for those who prefer filling up to charging, there is no need to despair: the new CLA will also be available with a combustion engine from the end of the year, in the form of a 1.5-liter turbocharged petrol engine with a 48-volt mild hybrid system, which will be offered in three power levels and with front-wheel and all-wheel drive.

Shooting Brake: more space, more style
Those who want an estate version of the CLA with more space will also have to wait until the end of the year - that's when the CLA Shooting Brake arrives at dealerships. The drive variants are the same as those of the saloon, although the Shooting Brake offers more storage space with 455 to 1209 liters (saloon: 405 liters). The electric versions also have a "frunk" under the hood with a volume of 100 liters. Prices for the CLA Shooting Brake are not yet known.