Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Reportedly Will Use Advanced Batteries From BYD

Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Concept. (Doc. Mercedes-Benz Group)

JAKARTA - About a week ago, Mercedes-Benz released a preview version or concept from the latest CLA-Class with futuristic views and features. This model is referred to as a new first step for German manufacturers towards the electrification era.

The CLA-Class concept car will be the first vehicle to carry the latest Mercedes platform, namely the Mercedes-Benz Modular Architecture (MMA). This advanced platform is said to have voltages of up to 800V, so it has attractive abilities and features in its class.

Rumors are currently developing, Mercedes-Benz will invest the BYD Blade battery produced in China or its international version.

Reporting from Carnewschina, Friday, September 8, an unnamed Mercedes-Benz representative said the manufacturer would start production of its electric vehicles using BYD batteries by 2025.

Like other premium manufacturers, Mercedes-Benz prefers to use the Nickel Manganese Cobalt (NMC) battery in its EV lineup. Mercedes chose the raw material because it can produce high energy compared to lithium iron phosphate (LFP) material.

BYD is not a foreign name for Mercedes-Benz. The two companies partnered in 2010 by conducting a joint venture that produces a brand called Denza. However, BYD Denza did not experience success which left Mercedes out of the joint venture at the end of 2021.

Well, despite being left behind by Mercedes-Benz, BYD took over most of the shares by making a breakthrough to successfully launch three Denza models, namely D9, N7, and N8. With these three models, Denza recorded positive results by sending 11,146 units per month last July.

Back to CLA-Class, this concept car will form the basis of a series of new entry-level models from Mercedes-Benz. The series will include four models, including four-door coupe, shooting brake (wagon), as well as two luxury SUVs with significant performance improvements.

According to Mercedes-Benz claims, the CLA-Class concept is referred to as "Hypermier" because it can reach a distance of more than 750 km according to the WLTP cycle with an energy consumption of about 12 kWh/100 km. With this calculation, the capacity of the CLA-Class battery is estimated at 89.6 kWh.

The CLA-Class concept can face dc fast charging of up to 250 kW. For propulsion, CLA will use an MB electric motor.EdU integrated with electric motors, two acceleration transmissions, inverters, and other electric components. With this, this drive is capable of reducing the weight by about 110 kg and producing up to 235 hp of power.

Mercedes isn't the only manufacturer to use BYD technology. Previously, Toyota launched bZ3 for the Chinese market with batteries, electric motors, and some BYD technology on board.