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

• A Mercedes-Benz CLA EV prototype toppled a report set by Porsche Taycan
• Mercedes drove prototype 2,309 miles in 24 hours round Nardo check observe
• Manufacturing Mercedes CLA EV might change into most effective U.S.-market EV

Data 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 goal 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 report.

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

Underneath 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 report. Porsche set the earlier report of 2,128 miles again in 2019 with a Taycan.

Your entire 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 keeping with Mercedes, when began at a ten% state of cost. The automaker stated that 10 minutes ought to convey the pack to 50%.

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

That fast 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 bear in mind air temp and environmental elements akin to wind. The group additionally needed to bear in mind the actual fact the charger was situated in a selected spot on the observe, so the stops had been deliberate, and the state of cost at which the automobile received plugged in was not constant.

Mercedes stated the ambient air temperature ranged from 55.4 levels Fahrenheit at evening to 84.2 levels throughout the day.

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

The automobile’s common velocity throughout the check was 96.2 mph with the automobile’s high velocity of 130 mph reached throughout the session.

The group consisted of six drivers and three shift modifications with the rear-wheel-drive CLA EV. A single 200-kw completely synchronous motor despatched 268 hp to the rear wheels. Its 2-speed computerized transmission aided with the effectivity, in keeping with Mercedes.

The Porsche Taycan isn’t essentially the most environment friendly EV in the marketplace. That distinction is held by the Lucid Air with its 5.0 mi/kwh vary score. However the Taycan constantly overachieves and overdelivers above and past its EPA vary rankings in real-world driving, which could possibly be attributed partly to its 2-speed transmission and taller cruising ratio. Ought to the manufacturing model high the Air, as Mercedes seems to assert for its prototype, it might 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 Automobile Stories to convey you this firsthand report.