A Mercedes-Benz CLA EV prototype toppled a report set by Porsche Taycan
Mercedes drove prototype 2,309 miles in 24 hours round Nardo check observe
Manufacturing Mercedes CLA EV might change 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 check observe with the purpose 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
Below what was internally codenamed Challenge N—the N stood for Nardo—the crew 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.
All the 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 response to Mercedes, when began at a ten% state of cost. The automaker stated that 10 minutes ought to deliver 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, identical to the Taycan has.
The record-setting electrical CLA began out at 100% state-of-charge and the crew optimized the charging technique in actual time to take into consideration air temp and environmental components comparable to wind. The crew additionally needed to take into consideration the actual fact the charger was positioned in a selected spot on the observe, so the stops have been deliberate, and the state of cost at which the automobile bought plugged in was not constant.
Mercedes stated the ambient air temperature ranged from 55.4 levels Fahrenheit at night time to 84.2 levels in the course of the day.
2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA EV prototype units distance report at Nardo
The automobile’s common pace in the course of the check was 96.2 mph with the automobile’s prime pace of 130 mph reached in the course of the session.
The crew consisted of six drivers and three shift adjustments 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 response to Mercedes.
The Porsche Taycan isn’t essentially the most environment friendly EV in the marketplace. That distinction is held by the Lucid Air with its 5.0 mi/kwh vary ranking. However the Taycan persistently overachieves and overdelivers above and past its EPA vary rankings in real-world driving, which may very well be attributed partially to its 2-speed transmission and taller cruising ratio. Ought to the manufacturing model prime the Air, as Mercedes seems to assert for its prototype, it will 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 Automobile Reviews to deliver you this firsthand report.
