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

• A Mercedes-Benz CLA EV prototype toppled a file set by Porsche Taycan
• Mercedes drove prototype 2,309 miles in 24 hours round Nardo check monitor
• Manufacturing Mercedes CLA EV may turn into most effective U.S.-market EV

Information 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 monitor with the goal of seeing what number of miles could possibly 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 Challenge N—the N stood for Nardo—the staff 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.

Your complete 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 mentioned that 10 minutes ought to deliver the pack to 50%.

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

That fast 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 staff optimized the charging technique in actual time to consider air temp and environmental components similar to wind. The staff additionally needed to consider the actual fact the charger was positioned in a specific spot on the monitor, so the stops had been deliberate, and the state of cost at which the automotive received plugged in was not constant.

Mercedes mentioned the ambient air temperature ranged from 55.4 levels Fahrenheit at evening to 84.2 levels through the day.

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

The automotive’s common velocity through the check was 96.2 mph with the automotive’s high velocity of 130 mph reached through the session.

The staff 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 response to Mercedes.

The Porsche Taycan isn’t essentially the most environment friendly EV available on the market. That distinction is held by the Lucid Air with its 5.0 mi/kwh vary score. However the Taycan constantly overachieves and overdelivers above and past its EPA vary scores in real-world driving, which could possibly be attributed partially to its 2-speed transmission and taller cruising ratio. Ought to the manufacturing model high the Air, as Mercedes seems to assert for its prototype, it could 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 Automotive Reviews to deliver you this firsthand report.