Mercedes-Benz has unveiled the all-new CLA Electric for India, marking a decisive shift in its entry-luxury strategy. For the first time, the CLA nameplate adopts a fully electric powertrain, moving away from combustion engines that powered earlier generations. The new model will effectively take the place of the A-Class Limousine as well as the EQA and EQB in the brand’s portfolio, consolidating Mercedes’ entry EV offerings into a single, more advanced product.
Bookings for the electric sedan will open on March 10, with a market launch scheduled for April. Expected prices are likely to fall in the Rs 55 lakh–60 lakh (ex-showroom) bracket.
Exterior design
The new CLA introduces a fresh design direction while retaining its coupe-like silhouette. Built on the brand’s new MMA (Mercedes-Benz Modular Architecture), the electric sedan combines sleek surfacing with aerodynamic efficiency, achieving a drag coefficient of just 0.21.
Up front, the traditional grille gives way to a closed panel illuminated by 142 animated three-pointed stars, flanked by star-signature LED headlamps. The lighting theme continues at the rear with connected tail-lamps incorporating the same motif. Approach and charging animations further accentuate the lighting design.
Flush-fitting door handles sit seamlessly within the bodywork and extend automatically when the car is unlocked. The India-spec CLA 250+ comes standard with the AMG Line package, bringing sportier bumpers, aluminium pedals, and 18-inch AMG alloy wheels. A logo projector and illuminated grille are also part of the standard kit.
Despite growing in size over its predecessor, the CLA maintains compact luxury sedan proportions:
- Length: 4,723mm
- Width: 1,855mm
- Height: 1,468mm
- Wheelbase: 2,790mm
Practicality sees a boost with a 405-litre boot and a 101-litre frunk. The panoramic glass roof features a specialised heat-protection coating tested in extreme temperatures, aimed at enhancing comfort in hot climates like India.
Five paint options will be available, including two MANUFAKTUR finishes for the first time in this segment.
Interior design
Inside, the CLA Electric debuts Mercedes’ in-house developed MB.OS (Mercedes-Benz Operating System), making it the first model to run the new chip-to-cloud architecture. The system integrates infotainment, driving assistance, comfort functions and charging management via four high-performance control units, powered by an NVIDIA chip capable of up to 508 trillion operations per second.
The India-bound CLA 250+ will feature:
- 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster
- 14-inch central touchscreen
- Latest-generation MBUX interface
- MBUX Virtual Assistant with AI integration (including ChatGPT and Google Gemini support)
- MBUX Surround Navigation with advanced 3D graphics
The voice assistant is designed to detect emotional tone and adjust its responses accordingly, while navigation benefits from Google Maps data integration and intelligent EV route planning.
The cabin features AMG upholstery options, brushed aluminium trim, turbine-inspired air vents and an illuminated star-pattern panel ahead of the passenger. The steering wheel adopts a sporty AMG design with tactile controls.
Convenience features include wireless charging, six 100W USB-C fast-charging ports, 40:20:40 split rear seats and over-the-air software updates. An optional suite of digital add-ons enables activation of features such as front-seat massage, enhanced ADAS functionality and additional entertainment apps.
Powertrain
The CLA 250+ rides on an 800-volt electrical architecture paired with an 85.5kWh lithium-ion battery. It produces 272hp (200kW) and accelerates from 0-100kph in a claimed 6.7 seconds.
The headline figure is its 792km WLTP-certified range, making it one of the longest-range EVs in its class and even surpassing the larger EQS sedan’s WLTP figure. Efficiency is aided by aerodynamic optimisation and a drivetrain rated at 93 percent efficiency, with energy consumption claimed at around 12kWh/100km.
A key technical highlight is its two-speed transmission, unusual for EVs offering strong initial acceleration via a short first gear and enhanced highway efficiency through a taller second gear.
Charging capability is equally notable. The CLA supports DC fast charging up to 240kW, enabling a claimed 400km range top-up in approximately 20 minutes under ideal conditions. Mercedes’ MB.CHARGE Public system integrates charger discovery, real-time availability, cost transparency and payment into a single app and RFID solution.
The suspension has also been adapted for Indian road conditions.
Safety
The CLA Electric debuts MB.DRIVE, Mercedes’ latest advanced driver assistance suite. The system is built around NVIDIA’s AI stack and is OTA-upgradable to Level 2+ capability.
Standard Level 2 features include:
- Adaptive cruise control with restart function
- Route-based speed adaptation
- Lane-keeping assist
- Blind-spot assist
- Steering assist
- Emergency stop function
- 360-degree environmental monitoring
The model has been rated a “Best Performer” in the 2025 Euro NCAP tests, underlining its strong active and passive safety credentials.
Structural highlights include extensive use of high-strength and hot-formed steel, lateral protection for the high-voltage battery, deformation zones for front impacts, and a comprehensive airbag suite including:
- Front airbags
- Side airbags (front and rear)
- Window airbags
- Centre airbag between front occupants
The one-box brake-by-wire system maximises regenerative braking while ensuring consistent pedal feel, with hydraulic fallback in case of system failure.
Launch timeline
Bookings for the new CLA Electric will commence on March 10, with deliveries expected to begin shortly after its April launch. The sedan will be imported from Mercedes-Benz’s energy-efficient Rastatt plant in Germany, which operates on 100 percent green electricity.
With a claimed range nearing 800km, next-generation software architecture and a strong focus on efficiency, the new CLA Electric signals a major transformation in Mercedes-Benz’s entry luxury segment strategy for India.
