The Mercedes-Benz CLA Concept was unveiled at the 2023 IAA Mobility show in Munich, Germany. The platform will support the German automaker’s foray into electric vehicles.
Mercedes Benz
Mercedes Benz and BMW Lifting the veil on electric concept cars as they look to catch up to Tesla at the premium end.
At the IAA in Munich, Mercedes showed off the Mercedes-Benz CLA Class concept, while BMW showed off the BMW Vision Neue Klasse.
The cars are built on the German automaker’s all-new platform that will underpin their electric vehicle offerings for years to come, in their most aggressive push yet for battery-powered vehicles.
They’re concept cars, so it’s unclear what their final form will look like when they’re finally produced. But here’s a closer look at Mercedes and BMW’s offerings.
Mercedes-Benz CLA concept car
The Mercedes-Benz CLA Concept is built on the so-called Mercedes-Benz Modular Architecture (MMA), the German auto giant’s new platform for electric vehicles.
The range will include a total of four new models — a four-door coupe, a wagon and two sport utility vehicles.
Mercedes claims the car can travel 750 kilometers (466 miles) on a single charge. The company also claims that it only takes 15 minutes to fully charge and the car can travel 400 kilometers.
Mercedes is touting the fast-charging capabilities and long-range range of the CLA concept car.
Mercedes Benz
Mercedes has paid great attention to the interior and user experience. The company said it is developing its own operating system for cars, called MB.OS. This will help power everything from large dashboard screens to voice assistants in cars.
It also allows third-party apps, such as your favorite music or video streaming apps, to integrate with the vehicle.
Mercedes-Benz said in a press release: “This proprietary chip-to-cloud architecture represents a completely new approach for the company and will be a largely hidden but powerful decisive aspect.”
Mercedes says its focus is on digitizing the interior of the CLA concept car. This includes virtual assistants and support for third-party apps.
Mercedes Benz
Traditional automakers are thought to be behind Tesla in terms of software. This is Mercedes’ attempt to show that it is catching up.
BMW Vision New Class
The BMW Vision Neue Klasse is BMW’s answer to Tesla. It’s also built on a new architecture that will underpin BMW’s future electric vehicles.
The first electric car based on the Neue Klasse (or new class) architecture will enter production in 2025.
BMW has unveiled the BMW Vision Neue Klasse, a concept electric car that will solidify its foray into battery-powered vehicles.
Arjun Kapal | CNBC Money
The concept car has a glass roof. BMW says the car’s design embodies classic elements of the brand that fans know well.
The BMW Vision Neue Klasse presented at the 2023 IAA Mobility International Motor Show in Munich.
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BMW says the car will feature what it calls Surround Vision, a head-up display that projects information onto the windshield within the driver’s line of sight.
This will first be rolled out on the Neue Klasse, the company said. Both passengers and drivers will be able to interact with the surround vision feature, BMW says.
Details on range and charging are scarce. But BMW says the next-generation technology will enable Neue Klasse models to be charged 30 percent faster and have a 30 percent better range.
BMW says the Vision Neue Klasse EV has all the classic features the brand is known for. BMW says the 21-inch aerodynamic wheels “pay homage to classic cross-spoke designs inspired by motorsport”.
Arjun Kapal | CNBC Money
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