Mercedes affords the brand new Mercedes CLA in two propulsion variations: the absolutely electrical Mercedes CLA EQ and the Mercedes CLA gentle hybrid. Which has the higher worth and which is best outfitted? We clarify within the following evaluation.
After the unsuccessful experiment with the EQE/EQS fashions—which had a very completely different design in comparison with the standard E-Class and S-Class sedans—Mercedes determined to unify the design of electrical, combustion, hybrid, and plug-in-hybrid fashions.
Thus, the Mercedes CLA EQ and CLA hybrid share the same design and, on this case, even the same multi-propulsion platform, MMA (Mercedes Modular Structure), developed as “electrical first” relatively than “electrical solely.”
Which means the MMA platform was developed primarily for electrical propulsion however may accommodate standard powertrains.
Which is cheaper: electrical or combustion?
The Mercedes CLA EQ is on the market with 58- and 85-kWh batteries mixed with both one or two electrical motors.
The most cost effective mannequin, the Mercedes CLA EQ with a 58-kWh LFP battery and a 224-PS rear electrical motor, begins at 49,521 euros. With the smaller 58-kWh battery, the WLTP vary is a good 541 km.
The Mercedes CLA gentle hybrid is on the market in 5 variations, two of which have 4Matic all-wheel drive. The most cost effective mannequin, the Mercedes CLA 180 with a 1.5-liter turbo engine producing 136 PS driving the entrance wheels and a 30-PS electrical motor built-in into the brand new 8-speed computerized transmission, begins at 46,243 euros.
This implies the combustion mannequin is simply 3,300 euros cheaper, although the electrical model accelerates from 0 to 100 kph in 7.5 seconds in comparison with 8.8 seconds for the combustion mannequin. With a 51-liter tank and a WLTP consumption of 4.9 l/100 km, the combustion mannequin ought to theoretically have nearly double the vary.
Transferring up the vary, the Mercedes CLA 250+ electrical with the bigger 85-kWh battery and a 272-PS rear electrical motor begins at 55,859 euros and affords a formidable WLTP vary of as much as 792 km.
The following two hybrid fashions, the Mercedes CLA 200 and CLA 220, additionally characteristic 1.5-liter engines producing 163 and 190 PS respectively, supported by the identical 30-PS electrical motor built-in into the 8-speed computerized transmission. The CLA 200 begins at 48,956 euros, and the CLA 220 at 52,026 euros.
This implies the CLA 200 is nearly 7,000 euros cheaper than the electrical CLA 250+, but it surely has 109 PS much less; the CLA 220 is 3,800 euros cheaper and has 82 PS much less.
The CLA 250+ accelerates from 0 to 100 kph in 6.7 seconds—1.3 seconds sooner than the CLA 200 and 0.5 seconds sooner than the CLA 220.
Lastly, the highest electrical mannequin, the Mercedes CLA 350 4Matic, comes with the identical giant 85-kWh battery and two electrical motors producing a complete of 354 PS, and begins at 60,381 euros. Within the CLA 350 4Matic, along with the 272-PS rear motor, there’s an additional 109-PS entrance electrical motor that operates intermittently when extra energy or traction is required.
Compared, the highest combustion mannequin, the Mercedes CLA 220 4Matic, has a 1.5-liter turbo engine with 190 PS mixed with the identical 30-PS electrical motor built-in into the gearbox and all-wheel drive that may ship as much as 50% of the torque to the rear axle. The highest CLA 220 4Matic prices 54,228 euros, over 6,000 euros cheaper than the electrical CLA 350 4Matic.
Nonetheless, 0–100 kph acceleration takes 7.1 seconds, whereas the electrical mannequin reaches 100 kph a lot sooner—simply 4.9 seconds, that means it’s 2.2 seconds faster.
Which is best outfitted: electrical or gasoline?
Is the upper worth of the electrical mannequin compensated by superior normal tools? In comparison with the earlier technology, the brand new Mercedes CLA is best outfitted as normal in each the electrical and combustion variations.
Just like the Mercedes CLA EQ, the Mercedes CLA gentle hybrid comes with a wealthy normal tools checklist. The panoramic sunroof is normal, in addition to 10.25-inch shows for the digital instrument cluster and a 14-inch show for the multimedia system. Customary tools additionally contains LED Excessive Efficiency headlights with Adaptive Highbeam Help, Thermatic computerized local weather management, a leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel, the MBUX navigation system, the USB package deal with 4 USB-C ports, heated entrance seats, and an nearly full set of driver help methods plus a reversing digital camera.
Three packages could be configured for each variations:
Superior Plus (1,469.65 euros),
Premium with Digital Extras (3,230.85 euros), and
Premium Plus with Digital Extras (5,432.35 euros).
The electrical model has solely two additional options: the illuminated grille and emblem, and the warmth pump—the latter being extra generally present in electrical fashions. Subsequently, the value variations don’t change considerably. A warmth pump is just not provided at the same time as an choice for the combustion model. Usually, a warmth pump prices round 1,200 euros. If we take this into consideration, the value distinction between electrical and gasoline shrinks barely.
Which one consumes much less?
official WLTP consumption, the Mercedes CLA 250+ makes use of 12.5 kWh/100 km, whereas the Mercedes CLA 220 makes use of 5 l/100 km (WLTP emissions: 113 g/km CO₂).
Purely theoretically, with a gasoline worth of 1.8 euros per liter and quick DC charging at 0.6 euros per kWh, and utilizing the consumption figures of 5 l/100 km for the CLA 220 and 12.3 kWh/100 km for the CLA 250+, the fee is 9 euros per 100 km for the gasoline mannequin and seven.38 euros per 100 km for the electrical mannequin. Thus, the electrical mannequin prices 1.62 euros much less per 100 km. The three,800-euro distinction between the CLA 220 gasoline and CLA 250+ electrical can be recouped solely after about 234,000 km.
In actuality, nevertheless, three issues should be thought of:
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Actual-world consumption is totally completely different. In our take a look at of the Mercedes CLA 250+, we recorded 14.5 kWh/100 km. The gasoline mannequin is just not but out there for testing, however it’s onerous to think about it consuming lower than 6 l/100 km contemplating its 190-PS output, even with the help of an electrical motor.
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Upkeep prices for the electrical mannequin are barely decrease, as servicing is cheaper.
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Taxes and charges are decrease for electrical vehicles in most nations.
Subsequently, in actual life, the value distinction between electrical and gasoline may very well be recouped sooner—earlier than 200,000 km.
