The third-generation all-new Mercedes CLA will feature a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine developed jointly by Geely and Horse. This joint venture was established on May 31, 2024, under the name Horse Powertrain Limited, with both companies holding a 50% stake.
Reports suggest that the engine will deliver a maximum output of approximately 250 horsepower and peak torque of 360 Newton-meters.
Additionally, the internal combustion engine used in the CLA has been designed and developed in collaboration between Mercedes-Benz and Geely.
Geely's CEO, Li Shufu, holds about 10% of Mercedes-Benz and has a joint project with the company for producing electric vehicles under the Smart brand.
Although the engine will be produced in China, the catalytic converter will be installed in Germany to meet emission regulations. Previous reports indicated that the engine will be part of a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, utilizing an integrated starter motor mounted on the transmission. The new CLA will be built on the MMA platform and will feature both mild-hybrid and fully electric powertrains. It should be noted that there will be no option for a plug-in hybrid system.
Additionally, the CLA will incorporate advanced intelligent driving solutions from the Chinese startup Momenta, making it the first Mercedes-Benz car equipped with the company's driver assistance systems. Momenta was founded in 2016, and Mercedes was one of the early investors, participating in the Series B funding round in 2017.
Fully electric versions of the CLA are expected to feature a rear-mounted electric motor with an output of 175 kW and an 89.6 kWh battery, with a range of up to 750 kilometers (WLTC), achieving an energy consumption of only 12 kWh per 100 kilometers. The MMA platform will utilize an 800-volt architecture, allowing for an increase of 400 kilometers in range after just 15 minutes of charging.
The all-new CLA is expected to launch in 2025, although the mild-hybrid version may not go on sale until 2026.
