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Mercedes CLA EV Unveiled With 800V Architecture, 320kW Charging & Huge Range

Mercedes CLA EV Unveiled With 800V Architecture, 320kW Charging & Huge Range

Out of Spec Mar 15, 2025 17 min
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About this episode

The Mercedes CLA EV has been unveiled, showcasing impressive features like an 800V architecture, 320kW charging capability, and a range of up to 500 miles. This episode dives into the details of the CLA EV's performance, including its two powertrain options, a two-speed transmission, and unique features like adaptive ambient lighting and a frunk. The hosts discuss the competitive landscape against rivals like the Tesla Model 3 and BMW i4, while also highlighting Mercedes' commitment to sustainability with recycled materials in the vehicle's construction. Excitement builds for its arrival in the U.S. later this fall.

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Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Term

800 volt high voltage architecture

"Mercedes has just unveiled their next generation EV, their Mercedes CLA EV with 800 volt high voltage architecture, 320 kilowatt charging, 500 miles of range."

This is a type of technology used in electric cars that helps them charge faster. It uses a higher voltage to move electricity more quickly into the car's battery.

Term

500 miles of range

"Mercedes has just unveiled their next generation EV, their Mercedes CLA EV with 800 volt high voltage architecture, 320 kilowatt charging, 500 miles of range."

This tells you how far the car can go before it needs to be charged again. A longer range means you can drive further without worrying about running out of power.

Car

Mercedes CLA EV

"Mercedes has just unveiled their next generation EV, their Mercedes CLA EV with 800 volt high voltage architecture, 320 kilowatt charging, 500 miles of range."

The Mercedes CLA EV is a new electric car from Mercedes-Benz. It has special technology that allows it to charge quickly and travel long distances on a single charge.

Term

320 kilowatt charging

"Mercedes has just unveiled their next generation EV, their Mercedes CLA EV with 800 volt high voltage architecture, 320 kilowatt charging, 500 miles of range."

This is the amount of power that the car can take in while charging. A higher number means the car can charge its battery faster.

Car

Mercedes-Benz EQS

"...ing. I love Mercedes. You guys know I was on team EQS on our Out of Spec i90 surge and Mercedes I thin..."

The Mercedes-Benz EQS is a high-end electric car that offers a lot of space and luxury features. It's designed to be very comfortable while also being good for the environment since it runs on electricity instead of gas.

Car

Mercedes-Benz EQB

".... We have the EQS, the EQS SUV, EQE, EQE SUV, the EQB. Now we're getting the CLA EV and then soon in t..."

The Mercedes-Benz EQB is a small electric SUV that has room for families and their gear. It combines the benefits of being electric with a comfortable and spacious interior, making it a great option for those who need more space.

Car

Mercedes-Benz Cclass

"getting the CLA EV and then soon in the future we're going to get an electric van from Mercedes as well as a C-Class SUV. Mercedes is pushing hard and the CLA is proof of that. This is their next generation EV. Now they don't tout it that way but I say it this way because this is their first"

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is a fancy small car that is comfortable and has a lot of nice features. It's a popular choice for people who want a luxury vehicle without going for the biggest models.

Term

800 volt architecture

"It has an 800 volt high voltage architecture which means better charging speeds, faster charging speeds."

800 volt architecture is a type of electrical system in electric cars that helps them charge faster. It uses a higher voltage to make the charging process more efficient.

Car

Chevrolet Volt

"...say it this way because this is their first high voltage EV. It has an 800 volt high voltage architectu..."

The Chevrolet Volt is a car that can run on electricity and also use gas when needed. This means you can drive it using just electricity for short trips or use gas for longer trips, making it flexible for different driving needs.

Term

10 to 80 time

"the CLA has a 10 to 80 time of 33 minutes while the rear wheel drive has a 10 to 80 time of 22 minutes."

The '10 to 80 time' is how long it takes to charge an electric car's battery from 10% to 80%. It's a way to measure how fast you can get a car charged.

Car

Mercedes-Benz Vision EQXX

"this CLA EV actually took a lot of inspiration from Mercedes Vision EQXX concept which I believe is like the most efficient EV, highest range EV ever made."

The Vision EQXX is a futuristic electric car concept from Mercedes-Benz that focuses on being very efficient and having a long driving range, even though it's not available for sale.

Concept

MMA platform

"this next generation platform that Mercedes is going to be using will be called the MMA platform. Not to be confused with mixed martial arts fighting but no Mercedes modular architecture platform."

The MMA platform is a new type of structure that Mercedes-Benz is using to build their electric cars. It helps them create different models more easily and efficiently.

Car

Mercedes-Benz EQA

"It'll be the same platform used for the next generation EQB, the SUV as well as the EQA."

The EQA is a small electric car from Mercedes-Benz that is easy to drive in the city and has many cool features, making it a great option for everyday use.

Car

Mercedes-Benz EQE

"...ort of new platform for the next generation EQS, EQE, even the G580 but for these lower priced Mercede..."

The Mercedes-Benz EQE is a new electric car that is a bit less expensive than the bigger EQS model. It still has a lot of luxury features and is designed to be stylish and efficient, making it a good choice for electric car buyers.

Term

J1772

"one of the quirky things about this EV is that in North America it's going to have not only a NAX port but a J1772 level 2 charging port as well."

J1772 is a type of plug used to charge electric cars in North America. It works with many charging stations and is common for home and public charging.

Term

kilowatt hour (kWh)

"In the United States we'll just be getting the 85 kilowatt hour nickel-magnus cobalt battery while in Europe they'll be getting the 85 kilowatt hour battery as well as a 58 smaller kilowatt hour battery."

A kilowatt hour is a way to measure how much electricity a battery can store. It helps you understand how far an electric car can go before needing to recharge.

Car

Mercedes CLA 250 plus

"So you'll have the CLA 250 plus which is a rear wheel drive version..."

The CLA 250 plus is a version of the Mercedes CLA that drives the rear wheels. It's designed to be sporty and fun to drive.

Car

Mercedes CLA 350 4MATIC

"then you'll have the CLA 350 4MATIC which is the all wheel drive version."

The CLA 350 4MATIC is a version of the Mercedes CLA that drives all four wheels, making it better for handling in different weather conditions.

Term

0 to 60 time

"The CLA 250 plus is expected to have a 0 to 60 time in 6.6 seconds..."

0 to 60 time is how fast a car can go from a stop to 60 miles per hour. It's a way to see how quick a car is.

Car

Porsche Taycan

"kind of like how we see in the Porsche Taycan..."

The Porsche Taycan is a fast electric car that combines luxury with high performance. It has a special gear system to help it accelerate quickly.

Term

two-speed transmission

"this EV will have a two speed transmission kind of like how we see in the Porsche Taycan..."

A two-speed transmission is a type of gear system that lets a car switch between two different speeds, helping it perform better in various situations.

Term

horsepower

"The 250 plus rear wheel drive will put out 268 horsepower while the all wheel drive 350 formatic will put out 349 horsepower..."

Horsepower measures how powerful an engine is. More horsepower usually means a car can go faster.

Car

Tesla Model

"...eating what we see on the Ioniq 6 as well as the Tesla Model 3. The 250 plus rear wheel drive will put out 268..."
Car

Tesla Model 3

"... what we see on the Ioniq 6 as well as the Tesla Model 3. The 250 plus rear wheel drive will put out 268 h..."
Car

Hyundai Ioniq 6

"... really good. This is beating what we see on the Ioniq 6 as well as the Tesla Model 3. The 250 plus rear w..."

The Hyundai Ioniq 6 is a new electric car that runs on batteries instead of gas. It's designed to be stylish and efficient, and it can go a long distance on a single charge, making it a good option for people looking for eco-friendly transportation.

Term

one pedal driving

"It'll also have one pedal driving with 200 kilowatts of regenerative braking which is pretty good for what we see of EVs of this size..."

One pedal driving lets you use just the gas pedal to speed up and slow down, making it easier to drive an electric car.

Car

Mercedes-Benz CLA 250

"The CLA 250 rear wheel drive will have a estimated range of 492 miles but again that is WLTP..."

The Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 is a stylish small car that offers luxury features. It's designed to be fun to drive while still being practical.

Term

WLTP

"but again that is WLTP so it'll likely be closer to 400 to 450 miles of range with the rear wheel drive version..."

WLTP is a testing method used to find out how far a car can go on a full charge or tank. It gives a better idea of real-world performance than older tests.

Car

Bmw I4

"that is still competitive with the EPA ranges that we see with the Ioniq 6, the Tesla Model 3, the BMW I4..."

The BMW I4 is a stylish electric car that offers the performance and luxury features typical of BMW. It's designed to be both fun to drive and eco-friendly.

Car

Polestar 4

"... the Ioniq 6, the Tesla Model 3, the BMW I4, the Polestar 4 and so I'm super curious to see how this performs..."

The Polestar 4 is a new electric SUV that focuses on being fun to drive while also being good for the environment. It has a modern look and comes with smart technology, making it a strong competitor in the electric car market.

Term

Super Screen

"It'll also have the Mercedes Super Screen. So I believe the EQS, EQE, right? They have the Hyper Screen."

The Super Screen is a big screen in the car that shows different information and controls. It makes it easier to see everything you need while driving.

Term

autonomous driving features

"...It'll also have a ton of autonomous driving features. It'll have MB drive assist..."

Autonomous driving features are technologies in cars that help them drive themselves. This can include things like staying in the lane or parking without help from the driver.

Term

vehicle-to-grid

"...This thing will also have vehicle-to-grid and vehicle-to-home charging, which will come in a future over-the-air update..."

Vehicle-to-grid means that electric cars can send electricity back to the power grid. This can help manage energy use and even make money for the car owner.

Term

adaptive ambient lighting

"Probably one of the most quirky things about this vehicle. It will have adaptive ambient lighting depending on the driver's emotions."

Adaptive ambient lighting is a feature that changes the lights inside the car based on how you feel or the time of day. It makes the car feel more personal and comfortable.

Term

vehicle system

"So if you are talking to the Mercedes vehicle system and you have an angry tone to your voice, it will change the ambient lighting color."

A vehicle system is the technology in a car that helps with things like navigation, climate control, and talking to the driver. It makes driving easier and more enjoyable.

Term

frunk

"It's crazy that the EQ SSUV or even the G580, the electric G-wagon, don't have frunks, but this thing has a front. And it's actually huge."

A frunk is a trunk located at the front of the car instead of the back. It's useful for storing things, especially in electric cars that don't have an engine in the front.

Car

Rivian R1T

"...l to me. I love my front. I love the front on my R1T. I press a button. I press the pad on the key. I ..."

The Rivian R1T is a new electric truck that is built for people who love outdoor activities. It has a lot of cool features for storing gear and can drive long distances on a single charge, making it great for adventures.

Car

Cadillac Optiq

"...Cadillac let Jordan and I kind of go through the OPTIQ and the actual wood that is like in a vinyl in th..."

The Cadillac Optiq is a new electric car from Cadillac that is designed to be luxurious and modern. It shows that Cadillac is moving into the electric vehicle space, offering something new for their customers.

Car

Tesla Cybertruck

"...ry. It has a 48 low voltage system, just like the Cybertruck, which is pretty interesting. They haven't given..."

The Tesla Cybertruck is a new electric truck that looks very different from regular trucks because of its sharp angles and metal body. It's designed to be strong and has cool technology, making it popular among people who want a tough and modern vehicle.

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