Mercedes CLA gets estate offshoot

The market launch is not planned until March 2026, according to Mercedes. Prices have not yet been announced, but are likely to be slightly higher than those of the CLA saloon. The CLA 250+ saloon can be ordered from €55,858.60, while the CLA 350 4MATIC all-wheel-drive model is listed at €60,380.60. The CLA Shooting Brake will also be launched with these two drive systems.

The technical data therefore hardly deviates from the known values – except for the range. The rear-wheel drive model has an output of 200 kW and features the second-generation drive unit developed by Mercedes itself, a permanently excited synchronised machine with a two-speed gearbox. The 350 4MATIC also has a purchased asynchronous machine on the front axle, increasing the system output to 260 kW. The torque is up to 335 Nm (250+) or 515 Nm (350 4MATIC). With factory figures of 6.8 and 5.0 seconds respectively for the sprint from standstill to 100 km/h, the Shooting Brake is a tenth of a second slower than the saloon, but the top speed is also 210 kW.

As the Shooting Brake shares the 800-volt MMA platform with the saloon, the same battery is used in both drive variants. An 85 kWh battery with NMC cells is installed in the aforementioned drive versions; a 58 kWh LFP battery has been announced for the basic version, but is not yet available in either body style. The large battery in the CLA 250+ Shooting Brake (the Plus indicates the variant with the longest range from Mercedes) enables up to 761 kilometres according to WLTP, i.e. 31 standard kilometres less than the saloon. The difference is 41 kilometres for the all-wheel drive model: the Shooting Brake is specified with up to 730 kilometres. The maximum charging power of 22 kW AC and 320 kW DC is identical to that of the saloon, and the charging time for the range from ten to 80 per cent is 22 minutes at the fast charger.

The sporty estate or Shooting Brake is not intended to stand out from the saloon in terms of its drive, but in terms of space. According to Mercedes, the boot has a load volume of 455 to 1,290 litres, while the illuminated frunk under the bonnet holds a further 101 litres. And up to 75 kilograms can be transported on the roof rails. The towing capacity of the 250+ is up to 1,500 kilograms (100 kilograms more than its combustion engine predecessor), while the all-wheel drive vehicle can tow up to 1,800 kilograms as before. “Whether it’s the weekly shopping trip, a holiday with the whole family or a weekend trip with friends: It offers space for everything you need,” is how Mercedes praises the new variant.

“The new CLA Shooting Brake is designed for those who appreciate the dynamism of a sporty vehicle but don’t want to compromise on space and practicality in everyday life,” said Mathias Geisen, Board Member for Sales at Mercedes-Benz Group AG. “It combines intelligent technology and efficiency to deliver a fresh, engaging driving experience. For our customers, this means more space for individuality, travelling and for their own personal lifestyle.”

Up to the B-pillar, the Shooting Brake corresponds to the saloon presented in March; from there, the roof is pulled further back, but still falls flat in typical Shooting Brake fashion. A ‘real’ estate car with a steeper rear window would therefore probably be able to transport more than the 1,290 litres due to the additional height at the rear, but the Shooting Brake is intended to combine the ‘elegance, sportiness and intelligence of the CLA with plenty of space for passengers and luggage’ in the Mercedes definition. And a flat sloping roofline instead of a boxy estate car rear is more elegant. For a particularly elegant impression, the one-piece glass roof extends seamlessly from the windscreen frame to the rear. “The tear-off edge is black on the inside and painted in the colour of the car on the outside. This gives the impression that the glass roof continues into the rear window. This also gives the rear end a unique elegance,” says Mercedes.

However, the utility value has also improved compared to the previous-generation CLA Shooting Brake. The longer wheelbase of 2.79 metres (+6.1 centimetres), which is typical of electric cars, provides more space in the interior. There is more legroom and headroom in all five seats, and rear access should also be more comfortable thanks to the larger door cut-outs. However, the new model is also 3.5 centimetres longer (4.72 metres) and 2.7 centimetres higher (1.47 metres). A detailed comparison of all dimensions can be found in the Mercedes press release linked below.

The differences to the saloon in terms of interior equipment are minimal. Mercedes almost hides an interesting innovation for many customers in the long press release: there is a new multifunction steering wheel, which once again has haptic controls instead of touch surfaces. “Mercedes‑Benz has reintroduced the control concept with a rocker switch for the limiter and DISTRONIC, as well as a roller for volume control, based on numerous customer requests. The capacitive switch panels are seamlessly integrated and provide tactile aids for better orientation,” wrote the manufacturer. Additionally, “some functions have also been removed from the control panel for a better overview and ease of use.”

Mercedes makes no mention of the battery voltage issue when presenting the CLA Shooting Brake. The saloon was presented as a pure 800-volt model that cannot be charged at 400-volt fast chargers – Mercedes has dispensed with the DC-DC converter required for this. Following criticism, such a component will now be offered for the next model year. It can be assumed that this will also be available for the CLA Shooting Brake.

Further battery-electric versions of the CLA are also to be presented at the beginning of next year. However, the Stuttgart-based company has not yet stated whether the announced LFP battery will be available in a more affordable base model or whether more powerful variants (up to an AMG model) will be available first.

mercedes-benz.com