- Mercedes-Benz has been spotted testing a new CLA-Class Shooting Brake
- Underpinning the vehicle is the new MMA platform
- Both hybrid and fully electric versions are planned
Mercedes-Benz is developing a redesigned CLA-Class set to launch next year as a 2026 model in the U.S. For the new generation, the compact sedan will be available with both hybrid and fully electric powertrain options.
In some markets, there will also be a repeat of the CLA-Class Shooting Brake compact wagon, a prototype of which has just been spotted. It is expected to debut shortly after its sedan counterpart.
The wagon is mostly the same as the sedan up until its B-pillar, but instead of sloping down to the sedan’s trunk lid, the roofline on the wagon stretches further back and joins with the top of a rear hatch that looks to have an almost circular shape.
The design of the new CLA-Class was previewed in 2023 with the Concept CLA-Class. Details from the concept expected to make production include Mercedes star logo patterns in the head- and taillights, as well as a dashboard featuring one wide panel that integrates screens for a digital gauge cluster and infotainment hub, plus circular vents for the climate system.
2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Shooting Brake spy shots – Photo via Baldauf
Underpinning the vehicle will be Mercedes’ new MMA platform, developed for the automaker’s entry-level range. For EVs, the platform will support a choice of single-motor rear-wheel-drive and dual-motor all-wheel-drive powertrains. The rear motor will have a 268-hp rating, while the front motor, which activates during high loads or when slip is detected, will have a 107-hp rating. More powerful AMG-tuned setups are also planned.
An 800-volt electrical system will enable high-speed charging with a DC fast charger. Mercedes has hinted at the ability to add 100 miles of range in less than 15 minutes of charging. Although Mercedes hasn’t confirmed battery sizes, one option is anticipated to offer a usable capacity of approximately 85 kwh.
For hybrids, there will be a newly developed 1.5-liter turbo-4 paired with a 27-hp electric motor sandwiched between the gas engine and an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The total system output will be 187 hp. The battery will be a 1.3-kwh lithium-ion unit mounted under the driver’s seat. Front-wheel drive will be standard, with all-wheel drive available as an option.
The current CLA-Class Shooting Brake was never offered in the U.S., and it is unlikely the situation will change with the arrival of the new model. The two CLA-Class body styles represent half of Mercedes’ next-generation compact family based on the MMA platform. The other half will consist of new versions of the GLA-Class and GLB-Class crossovers. A prototype of the GLB-Class has also been spotted testing.
