The Evolution Of Mercedes & The Epic Journey Of The CLA

The Roots

The roots of innovation took their strength when Karl Benz received his patent for the Benz Patent Motorwagen in 1886, which was a three-wheeled vehicle. This innovation marked the beginning of the modern automobile.

Karl Benz’s wife, Bertha Benz, also played an important role by undertaking the first long-distance road trip with her sons Richard and Eugene in an internal combustion automobile without her husband’s permission from Mannheim to Pforzheim. The automobile did not contain a fuel tank but a 4.5-litre fuel supply in the carburettor. This long-distance trip not only enabled Bertha to become the first person to drive a considerable distance; she pioneered the first brake liner, and the apothecary she visited for a Ligroin refill in Wiesloch, ended up becoming the world’s first fuel station.

The first ever Mercedes came out in 1901, shortly after Gottlieb Daimler’s demise, which was built by Maybach and commissioned by one of Daimler’s primary distributors, Emil Jellinek. The vehicle was named after Jellinek’s daughter, Mercedes.

The companies founded by Daimler and Benz merged to form Daimler-Benz AG in 1926. The result of this merger, also led to the birth of the Mercedes-Benz brand. The company’s logo was a three-pointed star wreathed in a laurel, and the star was dreamed up by Daimler, and its three points signified the fact that his engines were for use in vehicles that travelled through land, air, and sea.

Highlighting The Transition

Two of my personal favourite Mercedes-Benz models are the 300SL Bullwing, which was in production from 1954 till 1957, and the SLS AMG, which was in production from 2010 to 2015. The 300SL Bullwing’s top features were its iconic gullwing doors, a 3.0L inline-6 engine with direct fuel injection; the bullwing generated 215 hp, its top speed was 260 km/h, and it was equipped with a lightweight spaceframe chassis.

Also Read: Why KTM Filed for Bankruptcy?

The SLS AMG’s top features were a 6.2L naturally aspirated V8 engine that generated 563hp; the AMG could achieve 0-100 km/h in 3.8 seconds; the AMG flaunted its signature gullwing doors; and an AMG Speedshift 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.

Mercedes-Benz has also innovated revolutionising technologies such as crumple zone and anti-lock brakes (ABS). Now coming to the present and with years of automotive excellence at hand, Mercedes has again amazed us with their new EV addition, the CLA, for which I also had the opportunity to witness the concept in the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025.

Here's an overview of the CLA's evolution over time: 

Powertrain & Performance

The CLA will be offered with two options to choose from: the CLA 250+ and the CLA 350 4MATIC. Mercedes has again amazed its customers with no compromise on its powerful performance and sustainability.

The CLA 250+ features an 85.0 kWh battery and can be driven about a distance of 792 km (WLTP), while the 350 4MATIC is equipped with a 260 kW motor and is built for a higher performance, crediting its 2-speed gearbox at the rear axle, which manages acceleration at lower speeds and improves the car’s efficiency at higher speeds.

Furthermore, the Mercedes-Benz CLA sedan has a drag coefficient (Cd) of 0.21, which is slightly less than EQS (0.21), allowing the off-road capabilities of this chauffeur-driven luxury sedan to be intact. As the electric version lacks an engine, this space is utilised by a 101L frunk, enhancing the practicality quotient.

The CLA, with its 800-volt system, enables the vehicle to charge at a capacity that can be driven up to 325 km in 10 minutes. For the hybrid enthusiasts of the same, Mercedes plans to bring new models later in the year that will implement a 48-volt system. The non-electric model will be equipped with a regenerative braking system and an electric driving mode for shorter distances. These hybrids will also pair a 1.5L turbo inline-4 with a 27-hp electric motor, delivering 187 hp through an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission with FWD standard, AWD being optional, incorporating active air suspension being offered as an accessory.

Exterior Showdown

The newest addition to the CLA’s exterior is huge. Larger than its predecessor even. Larger by 25mm wide, 25mm tall, and 30mm long. One of the important visual updates I have taken note of is the illuminated front grille with one hundred and forty-two LED stars. The CLA’s presence is doubly signified with its star-shaped auto-levelling matrix LED headlights and uniquely connected taillights. The new CLA has retained its sporty silhouette, and the sleek roofline brings out the coupe-resembling profile of the same. The measurements of the sedan’s tires are centre lock forged 18-19 inches radial tubeless profile and include a machine-cut alloy frame.

Inside The CLA

When we reach inside the cabin, the CLA greets us with a modern and minimalist approach. The floating one-piece super-screen design is streamlined into perfection with an MBUX 14-inch infotainment further elevating to a 10.25-inch digital driver’s display, and, for added convenience, a co-passenger's entertainment screen with both of these displays apart from the instrument cluster supporting OTT connectivity, followed by wireless smartphone mirroring. Newer materialistic interior touches include an open-pore pre-wood and anodised finishing, for a feeling of exclusivity. A standard feature on all Mercedes models is the panoramic sunroof, which even the CLA includes is also a luxury statement. The leather-wrapped surfacing and the CLA’s focus on soft touch interiors compliment the customer’s comfort.

Safety All-Around

The CLA is loaded with premium safety features and driver assistance systems. The CLA features the DISTRONIC distance assist, which helps the driver to maintain a safe following distance, and the optional MB.DRIVE assist offers a package of features like lane change assist and steering assist, which couple up with the car’s semi-automatic driving functions.

Mercedes has also introduced the latest MB.OS operating system that supports OTA updates and an improved connection. This system partners with Mercedes’ intelligent cloud, enabling the car to implement software improvements without a required visit to the dealership. The CLA also marks the debut of the new MBUX infotainment system, which incorporates the artificial intelligence of Microsoft and Google. This feature in the sedan enables intuitive voice commands and personalised settings that adapt to the user over time. The MBUX virtual assistant, further enhanced with AI, enables conversational interactions and provides assistance with navigation and entertainment.

CarBike360 Says

With sustainability a priority of Mercedes’ new CLA, the company claims a 40% reduction in carbon emissions during production, and in comparison to previous models. The materials implemented to build the interior of the sedan reflect a shift towards greater use of sustainable and recycled elements without compromising luxury or performance. On a concluding note, the CLA has been showcased previously last year, with which, the overall similarity in terms of both appearance and technology remains around 70-80%.