Five electric trims; deliveries begin in Q4

CLA 250+ offers up to 792 km on a single charge

800V system supports up to 320 kW fast charging

MB.OS, ChatGPT and T-map Auto onboard

The all-new Mercedes-Benz CLA. The model on the left is the 48-volt mild-hybrid version; the one on the right is the electric vehicle variant. [Mercedes-Benz Korea]
The all-new Mercedes-Benz CLA. The model on the left is the 48-volt mild-hybrid version; the one on the right is the electric vehicle variant. [Mercedes-Benz Korea]

Mercedes-Benz is bringing its new CLA to South Korea — the first model to feature the brand's next-generation electric vehicle platform and its proprietary operating system. Prices for the electric version start at 52.9 million won ($38,400), and the top-spec model can travel up to 792 kilometers on a single charge under the European WLTP standard.

Mercedes-Benz Korea said Tuesday it has opened domestic pre-orders for the all-new electric Mercedes-Benz CLA, with customer deliveries scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of this year.

The new CLA is the first model built on Mercedes-Benz's next-generation modular vehicle architecture, the MMA platform, which is designed to underpin both fully electric and 48-volt mild-hybrid vehicles on a single architecture.

The electric variants arriving in Korea first are the CLA 200 Electric and the CLA 250+ Electric. Including sub-trims, the lineup comprises five variants in total.

The CLA 200 Electric Essential is the entry-level option at 52.9 million won, followed by the Advanced at 55.8 million won and the AMG Line Launch Edition at 58.9 million won. The CLA 250+ Electric is priced at 63.7 million won, with its AMG Line Launch Edition at 67.7 million won. All prices include VAT and a 5 percent individual consumption tax.

The CLA 250+ leads on range. The CLA 200 Electric produces a maximum output of 165 kW (221 horsepower) and offers a WLTP range of up to 542 km, while the CLA 250+ delivers 200 kW (268 horsepower) and stretches to 792 km. Detailed domestic certification figures, including the Korean-standard range, will be disclosed closer to the delivery date.

Both models use an 800-volt electrical architecture. The CLA 200 Electric supports fast charging at up to 200 kW, and the CLA 250+ at up to 320 kW. Charging from 10 percent to 80 percent takes approximately 20 minutes and 22 minutes, respectively.

Software is another area Mercedes-Benz is highlighting in the new CLA. The car runs on MB.OS, the brand's in-house vehicle operating system, which integrates infotainment, driver assistance, convenience features and charging management into a single platform. Over-the-air updates keep the vehicle software continuously current.

The CLA also includes an AI-powered voice assistant built on ChatGPT and Microsoft Bing. Saying "Hey Mercedes" activates the assistant, which can answer questions and control vehicle functions while retaining the context of previous exchanges in the same conversation.

Several features are tailored for the Korean market. The navigation system runs T-map Auto, and the car supports content services including Live TV+, developed with LG Uplus, as well as Genie Music and Millie's Library. Live TV+ currently provides 28 broadcast channels, including live television.

Inside, the cabin features the MBUX Superscreen — a 10.25-inch driver display paired with 14-inch screens at the center console and front passenger position. The electric model also includes a 101-liter front trunk, or "frunk," making use of the space freed up by the absence of a combustion engine.

The body is roomier than the previous generation. The wheelbase grows by 61 millimeters over the outgoing CLA, front legroom increases by 11 millimeters, front headroom by 16 millimeters, and rear headroom by 28 millimeters.

Driver-assistance features vary by trim. The CLA 200 Electric Essential comes with MB.DRIVE Standard, which includes Distronic — a system that maintains a set following distance and speed. All other trims receive MB.DRIVE Assist as standard, a Level 2 system that adds steering support.

All trims also include a reverse-assist function that memorizes the most recent driving path and automatically steers the car back along the same route when reversing out of a narrow space.

A 48-volt mild-hybrid lineup will follow the electric models. Two variants — the CLA 220 and the CLA 220 AMG Line Launch Edition — are set to go on sale next month, priced at 59.9 million won and 62.9 million won, respectively.

The CLA 220 pairs a 140 kW (188 horsepower) combustion engine with an electric motor producing up to 22 kW (30 horsepower). With those additions, the full Korean CLA lineup will consist of seven trims in total — five electric and two mild-hybrid.

Pre-orders for the electric CLA are open at all 65 official Mercedes-Benz showrooms nationwide and on the Mercedes-Benz Korea website. Buyers will receive a one-year subscription to the Plus plan of MB.CHARGE Public, the brand's integrated public charging service.


kwater@heraldcorp.com