Mercedes-Benz India Opens Bookings for New CLA Electric Sedan
Mercedes-Benz India has officially opened bookings for the highly anticipated new Mercedes-Benz CLA electric sedan. Interested customers can now reserve their vehicle either online through the company's official website or by visiting their nearest authorized dealerships. The booking amount has been set at Rs 1.5 lakh, marking the first step towards ownership of this premium electric vehicle.
Launch Timeline and Delivery Schedule
The new Mercedes-Benz CLA electric is scheduled for an official launch in April 2026. Following this, deliveries of the CLA 250+ Long Range variant will commence from the end of April 2026, shortly after the launch event. For the CLA 200 Standard Range variant, deliveries are planned to start later, with the company targeting June 2026 for the first customer handovers.
Positioning and Variants
This new CLA electric model replaces the previously sold internal combustion engine versions, which were discontinued in 2020. It will take the place of the A-Class sedan in Mercedes-Benz's lineup and also supplant the EQA and EQB electric vehicles in the brand's entry-level portfolio. The CLA electric will be offered in two distinct variants: the CLA 200 Standard Range and the CLA 250+ Long Range.
Pricing and Incentives
The expected launch prices are approximately Rs. 55 lakh for the CLA 200 Standard Range and Rs. 59 lakh for the CLA 250+ Long Range, both ex-showroom. However, the final pricing may vary depending on prevailing foreign exchange rates at the time of the official launch. As a special incentive, customers who pre-book the car will receive a complimentary wall box home charger, enhancing the convenience of home charging.
Design and Aerodynamics
The design of the new Mercedes-Benz CLA electric emphasizes aerodynamics, achieving an impressive drag coefficient of 0.21. Key design elements include a low stance, longer wheelbase, and short overhangs for balanced proportions. At the front, it features a gloss-black closed grille panel with illuminated star-pattern elements and a central Mercedes emblem. Slim LED headlamps are connected by a light bar across the fascia, while the bumper incorporates functional air inlets to aid cooling and airflow.
In profile, the CLA EV retains frameless doors and a sloping roofline, along with flush door handles and aerodynamically designed alloy wheels to improve efficiency. The rear showcases a full-width LED light bar with star-pattern detailing that mirrors the front lighting design. Additional features include chrome accents, a grille with 142 small backlit stars, a panoramic glass roof with heat-protective coating, and five-spoke aero wheels.
Battery, Range, and Charging
The CLA 250+ Long Range variant is equipped with an 85 kWh battery pack paired with a single electric motor that delivers power to the rear wheels, producing 268 horsepower and 335 Nm of torque. It includes a two-speed gearbox and boasts a claimed range of up to 792 km (WLTP). The CLA 200 Standard Range offers a claimed driving range of 542 km.
For charging, the CLA 250+ supports DC fast charging of up to 320 kW, capable of adding up to 400 km of range in just 20 minutes. The CLA 200 supports DC fast charging up to 200 kW, adding up to 320 km in the same time. Both variants support AC charging up to 22 kW through a wallbox charger, with 11 kW as standard. Through Mercedes' MB.CHARGE network, users can access over 9,000 charging points across India.
Interior and Features
The interior of the Mercedes-Benz CLA EV adopts a minimalist, screen-focused cabin that prioritizes technology and usability. The centerpiece is a dual-screen layout comprising a 10.25-inch digital driver's display and a 14-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The cabin features a three-spoke steering wheel with touch-sensitive controls and a carbon-fiber finish on the center console for a sportier aesthetic.
Notable features include 64-colour ambient lighting, a 16-speaker Burmester sound system with Dolby Atmos, heated, ventilated, and powered front seats, wireless charging, six 100W USB-C fast-charging ports, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, connected car technology, and the latest MBUX system with AI integration.
Platform and Safety
The new CLA is built on Mercedes-Benz's MMA architecture, a platform specifically developed for electric vehicles. In terms of safety, it has received a full 5-star safety rating from Euro NCAP, with scores of 94% in Adult Occupant Protection, 89% in Child Occupant Protection, and 93% in Vulnerable Road User protection. The vehicle includes a system that detects child seat installation and automatically deactivates relevant airbags. Safety features encompass eight airbags, a 360-degree camera with blind-spot monitoring, a tyre-pressure monitoring system, an electronic parking brake, and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).
