By Jay Khan, November 20, 2024
The internal combustion engine is set to coexist with the electric car as the arrival of a net-zero future is delayed in the name of self-preservation. This is the candid admission being made by Mercedes as it unveils new details about its next-generation CLA. Scheduled to go on sale in 2026, the all-new CLA aims to honor the past while laying the groundwork for the future. However, the future seems confused, with the focus appearing to shift from combating climate change to a corporation striving to shield itself from the pressures of climate legislation.
Legacy car manufacturers are struggling to fully commit to an all-electric future, increasingly backtracking on their zero-emission promises while cloaking their hesitation in a guise of so-called innovation.
The next-generation CLA, depicted here as a prototype test vehicle, tacitly signals Mercedes’ retreat from an all-electric vision in favor of one where internal combustion engines coexist with electric vehicles. In this analogy, the internal combustion engine represents the “Neanderthals,” while the electric car symbolizes “Modern Man.”
By diversifying its approach and not committing entirely to electric vehicles, Mercedes effectively concedes that the concept of net zero has always been more of a marketing ploy than a concrete goal. While the innovation Mercedes presents is intriguing, as detailed here, it exposes the brand’s reluctance to leave behind the internal combustion engine era and fully embrace an electric-only future.
From an engineering perspective, it is widely acknowledged that a dedicated electric vehicle (EV) platform is superior to a modular one that accommodates both electric drivetrains and traditional ICE systems. However, a modular platform offers Mercedes a safety net: if EV sales fail to gain traction, the company can rely on ICE or hybrid sales to maintain profitability.
The core challenge isn’t the inability to produce electric cars but the difficulty of manufacturing them at a competitive price. European automakers, including Mercedes, are being decisively outperformed by Chinese manufacturers, who deliver premium luxury EVs at half the price—or less—of what Mercedes charges in Europe.
The next-generation Mercedes CLA showcases evolutionary innovation with compelling engineering, but it also highlights a lack of ambition to sever ties with its past and fully commit to an electric future.
The EV race was never solely about combating climate change; it has evolved into a technological arms race for survival and dominance in the era of electric mobility. With its dual powertrain offering, the CLA underscores Mercedes’ apprehension about what lies ahead.
