Mercedes-Benz is set to introduce a technological advancement with its new four-door CLA Coupé, slated for launch in 2025. The model will utilize a new platform featuring 800-volt technology, and a mid-size SUV is expected to follow soon after, according to a recent report.
Automotive News, citing AutoForecast Solutions, reports that the internally named X174 model is scheduled to enter production in October 2025 at the Rastatt plant, where the CLA is currently manufactured. The CLA Coupé is anticipated to be delivered starting in the first half of 2026, including to the U.S. market. The report mentions the model could compete with the Tesla Model Y, although this comparison is not explicitly endorsed by Mercedes-Benz.
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At the IAA Mobility event in September 2023, Mercedes previewed the upcoming CLA and the Mercedes Modular Architecture (MMA) platform with the Concept CLA Class study. The MMA platform, designed with an ‘Electric First’ principle, is optimized for electric drivetrains but can also support combustion engines.
The new drivetrain aims for high efficiency, with a target consumption of 12 kWh/100 km and a WLTP range exceeding 750 kilometers. The 800-volt battery system will offer two cell chemistry options: a high-energy-density version with silicon oxide anodes and a standard version with LFP chemistry. CATL is reported to be a potential supplier for the LFP cells. The MMA platform is also expected to support bidirectional charging, including vehicle-to-home (V2H) and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) capabilities.
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Production of electric vehicles based on the MMA platform will occur at three locations: Rastatt, Germany; Kecskemet, Hungary; and Beijing, China. The new crossover model, potentially named the CLA SUV, will be produced alongside the CLA in Rastatt.
Sam Fiorani, Vice President of AutoForecast Solutions, noted that the EQB, unveiled in 2022, will not be directly replaced after its production ends in late 2025. As Mercedes has moved away from the ‘EQ’ nomenclature with the electric G-Class, it is unlikely that the new model will carry the EQB name. Mercedes declined to comment on the specific product plans.
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The addition of a crossover to the CLA lineup could expand Mercedes’ customer base, given the model’s success in attracting younger and new customers. No details on the new model’s pricing, dimensions, or performance have been released, but it will compete in a segment with several rivals, including the Tesla Model Y.
