Mercedes decided to bury some nameplates from its compact lineup (and not only) after the current generations. Thus, the A-Class and B-Class are bound to bite the dust soon, but one model that will survive the electric revolution is the CLA.
The four-door coupe and station wagon versions of the car will be overhauled, and we've already seen the former testing multiple times. Our latest encounter with the next-gen Mercedes-Benz CLA dates back a few days ago when our spy photographers nabbed a prototype undergoing testing in northern Europe.
The sloping roofline, a signature trait of this model, will stay about the same. At the front and rear, it will adopt a more futuristic styling. However, don't expect it to look as dramatic as the eponymous concept that previewed it in 2023. The same goes for the cockpit, partially visible in the latest scoops.
We could see a brand-new infotainment system sitting next to the fresh digital instrument cluster. The car has a new steering wheel, center console, air vents, door cards, etc. Everything is new, yet most of the interior was under wraps, thus preventing us from seeing its true nature. Expect more modern technology gear and updated safety systems, too.
Photo: SH Proshots
In the powertrain department, Mercedes' next-gen CLA is expected to launch with internal combustion engines and pure electric assemblies, as the MMA platform supports both. The latter will probably benefit from the 800V architecture, which would allow it to charge faster, maybe up to 250 kW, just like the concept. As for the ICE family, we'd look for gasoline engines, perhaps with mild-hybrid assistance and plug-in hybrids.
But what is this talk about the upcoming CLA when we have no fresh spy shots? Well, it somewhat inspired the rendering shared above, which imagines an entirely new generation of the A-Class. The hatchback, which would continue to rival the likes of Audi's A3 and BMW's 1 Series, was imagined by tedoradze.giorgi, who shared this digital illustration on social media a couple of days not, shortly after we dedicated an entire story to the 2025 CLA.
The car looks like an evolution of its predecessor, sporting an entirely new face with a different closed-off grille, suggesting it would be a pure EV model. The headlamps, front bumper, fenders, hood, and so on are also new. There are new lines on the sides, a familiar greenhouse, and intricate wheels.
We certainly wouldn't mind if Mercedes decided to give the A-Class another shot, and this is a design that would certainly work, albeit with a few adjustments. But as we already told you, it will be put to sleep for good, and the only low-slung compact in the three-pointed star brand's family that will survive will be the CLA. Do you think that's a good decision?
After a series of unfortunate events put an end to Cristian's dream of entering a custom built & tuned old-school Dacia into a rally competition, he moved on to drive press cars and write for a living. He's worked for several automotive online journals and now he's back at autoevolution after his first tour in the mid-2000s. Full profile
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