Mercedes-Benz CLA EV prototype covers 2,309 miles in 24 hours

• A Mercedes-Benz CLA EV prototype toppled a file set by the Porsche Taycan
• Mercedes drove a CLA EV 2,309 miles in 24 hours across the Nardo check observe
• The Mercedes CLA EV might develop into essentially the most environment friendly EV on sale within the U.S.

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 might be pushed in 24 hours. The reply ended up being 2,309 miles, which set a brand new file.

2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA EV prototype units distance file at Nardo

Below what was internally codenamed Mission N—the N stood for Nardo—the workforce took two close-to-production prototype electrical CLAs and aimed to set a file. Porsche set the earlier file 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 accordance with 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 file at Nardo

That speedy charging is enabled partly by the CLA’s 800-volt electrical structure, similar to the Taycan has. 

The record-setting electrical CLA began out at 100% state-of-charge and the workforce optimized the charging technique in actual time to keep in mind air temp and environmental elements comparable to wind. The workforce additionally needed to keep in mind the actual fact the charger was positioned in a selected spot on the observe, so the stops had been deliberate, and the state of cost at which the automotive acquired 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 file at Nardo

The automotive’s common pace in the course of the check was 96.2 mph with the automotive’s high pace of 130 mph reached in the course of the session.

The workforce consisted of six drivers and three shift modifications with the rear-wheel-drive CLA EV. A single 200-kw completely synchronous motor despatched 268 hp to the rear wheels. Its 2-speed computerized transmission aided with the effectivity, in accordance with 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 score. However the Taycan constantly overachieves and overdelivers above and past its EPA vary scores in real-world driving, which might be attributed partly to its 2-speed transmission. Maybe Porsche was onto one thing with having a taller second-drive ratio. Mercedes talked about a 5.2 mi/kwh effectivity quantity for the CLA EV, although nothing’s been made official but. Ought to the workforce at Mercedes obtain that sort of effectivity, it might be due to the 2-speed transmission, and 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 Stories to deliver you this firsthand report.