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 take a look at observe
• The Mercedes CLA EV might turn out to be essentially the most environment friendly EV on sale within the U.S.

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 take a look at observe with the purpose of seeing what number of miles may very well 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

Underneath what was internally codenamed Challenge 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.

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, based on 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 speedy 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 workforce optimized the charging technique in actual time to have in mind air temp and environmental components reminiscent of wind. The workforce additionally needed to have in mind the very fact the charger was positioned in a specific spot on the observe, so the stops have 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 night time to 84.2 levels throughout the day.

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

The automotive’s common pace throughout the take a look at was 96.2 mph with the automotive’s prime pace of 130 mph reached throughout the session.

The workforce consisted of six drivers and three shift adjustments with the rear-wheel-drive CLA EV. A single 200-kw completely synchronous motor despatched 268 hp to the rear wheels. Its 2-speed automated transmission aided with the effectivity, based on 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 ranking. However the Taycan constantly over achieves and delivers above and past its EPA vary scores in real-world, which might partially be attributed 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 may very well be due to the 2-speed transmission, and herald a brand new effectivity king when the 2026 CLA EV arrives later in 2025. 

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Mercedes-Benz paid for journey and lodging together with some German pretzels for Inexperienced Automotive Experiences to deliver you this firsthand report