Mercedes-Benz CLA EV prototype covers 2,309 miles in 24 hours

• A Mercedes-Benz CLA EV prototype toppled a document set by the Porsche Taycan
• Mercedes drove a CLA EV 2,309 miles in 24 hours across the Nardo check observe
• The Mercedes CLA EV might turn into 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 check observe with the intention of seeing what number of miles could possibly be pushed in 24 hours. The reply ended up being 2,309 miles, which set a brand new document.

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

Beneath what was internally codenamed Venture N—the N stood for Nardo—the group took two close-to-production prototype electrical CLAs and aimed to set a document. Porsche set the earlier document of 2,128 miles again in 2019 with a Taycan.

The whole 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, in accordance with 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 document 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 group optimized the charging technique in actual time to keep in mind air temp and environmental components reminiscent of wind. The group additionally needed to keep in mind the very fact the charger was situated in a selected 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 through the day.

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

The automotive’s common pace through the check was 96.2 mph with the automotive’s prime pace of 130 mph reached through the session.

The group 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, in accordance with 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 score. However the Taycan constantly overachieves and overdelivers above and past its EPA vary rankings in real-world driving, which could possibly be attributed partially 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 group at Mercedes obtain that sort of effectivity, it could possibly be due to the 2-speed transmission, and herald a brand new effectivity king when the 2026 CLA EV arrives later in 2025. 

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