Hatch enters 'special edition’ phase; CLA speculation grows.

ROLL out of special - probably end-of-the-line - editions of Mercedes’ long-serving A-Class, has begun, but the brand is still loath to discuss local intent for the electrified replacement.

Stuttgart lifted the covers off the all-new CLA in its coupe-roofed sedan format in March, and more recently unveiled a shooting brake station wagon offshoot.

Both versions of what is claimed to be the “cleverest car Mercedes-Benz (has) ever made” are about to enter production, initially in fully electric form, to send the A-Class into retirement.

CLA (sedan below, wagon further down) primarily goes into Europe, the United States and China, but the regional office that Mercedes Benz New Zealand conjoins into has previously indicated the sedan will be available in this part of the world in the first half of 2026.

Mercedes’ first electric car with 800 volt capability, CLA runs an 85kWh battery pack and advanced electric motors, and this - along with impressive aerodynamics - bring top efficiency, with the wagon promising a one-charge range of up to 761km and the sedan capable of 792km.

Benz says another contributor to the cars’ lean running is a heat pump that's said to be three times more efficient than a conventional heating and air conditioning setup, plus what it describes as a 99 percent efficient regenerative braking system.

In both there's a choice of a rear-wheel-drive 202kW motor for the CLA 250 plus, or 263kW for the 350 Plus 4Matic thanks to a second motor driving the front wheels.

A front-drive hybrid that utilises a 1.5-litre petrol engine is set follow and might be of greater initial value to Mercedes here, given how much sales pace the electric vehicle sector has lost since the end of 2023.

The new platform CLA sits on is designed to deliver four cars; aside from the CLA sedan and wagon there will also be GLA and GLB sports utilities.

Meantime, Mercedes Benz NZ is striving to rev up interest in A-Class, by announcing a a value-added Special Edition package for the A250 hatch (top image).

The type achieves for no extra loading to its $82,900 sticker a Night Package design option, that usually costs $2100. This alters different exterior trim elements on the vehicle, brings a bespoke 19 inch wheel design and presents the car in two colours not previously available, Manufacture Alpine Grey solid and Manufactur Patagonia Red.

It is also indicating imminent availability of new Edition R versions of the A35 and CLA35, and Edition R Plus variants of the A45 hatch and CLA45, which also largely focus on appearance upgrades and make standard equipment that has been optional until now, such as the AMG Aerodynamics package.

In addition to presenting a new platform and powertrains, the CLA also brings all-new operating system with MB.OS and a level of digital personalisation previously unseen in the segment.

Underpinning the new CLA’s technology suite is MB.OS - a ground-up, in-house software platform that allows deep integration between the vehicle’s hardware, cloud services and AI-driven assistants.

Streaming services like Disney Plus and YouTube are native to the new operating system, and it allows users to download games too, with wireless connections for PlayStation and Xbox controllers.

The 85kWh battery pack can be charged at up to 320kW; at optimal it will add an extra 310km of range in just 10 minutes of charging. The challenge with the Benz is that it tailors for latest generation DC chargers, so compatibility for any older types here has yet to be clarified.

The battery is also a next-generation unit, with a silicon-oxide anode which allows the battery to have a claimed 20 percent improvement in energy density compared to previous designs. It's also reckoned to be about 30 percent smaller in its carbon footprint.

The car optimally has a full-width digital dashboard, with a digital driver's display, a big 14.9-inch infotainment screen in the middle and an optional passenger touchscreen.

While the underlying software is entirely Mercedes' own design, the navigation system uses Google Maps as its basis, although as with other Mercedes systems, the navigation uses augmented reality to overlay direction arrows onto a live feed from the forward-facing camera to make sure you never take a wrong turn again.

As you'd expect, MB.OS is designed to get over-the-air software updates, but Mercedes says that this is about more than just adding the occasional new feature - the plan is that the whole car, from the infotainment system to the overall battery efficiency and the electronic driver aids can be updated and improved as the car ages.

The CLA is also the first Mercedes model designed from the outset for a circular economy, incorporating bidirectional energy storage for home and grid use.

Mercedes-Benz is advancing its driver-assist systems under the MB.Drive umbrella, introducing an expanded SAE Level 2 plus autonomous driving package in select markets, China being the first to try.

This includes features like automatic lane change assist, an enhanced version of radar cruise control with steering assist, real-time 3D surround navigation and an improved auto-parking system with self-exit functionality.

Meantime, in other brand news, Mercedes Benz Vans has signed a new distribution agreement with Keith Andrews Group, shifting responsibility for van sales and servicing operations here to the commercial vehicle dealer.

The move marks a significant change in how Mercedes-Benz Vans operates in the country, with the marque saying the transition will strengthen its local presence and provide a platform for future growth.

The existing dealer network will continue to service customers under the new arrangement.