Tastyandelicious Blog
A pre-production version of the 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA sedan has set a new record for the longest distance traveled by an electric vehicle in 24 hours. The car covered 3,717 km (2,309 miles) at an average speed of 154 km/h (95 mph) on the Nardo Ring in Italy, surpassing the previous record of 3,425 km (2,128 miles) set by a Porsche Taycan in 2019.
The CLA sedan, an important vehicle for Mercedes-Benz, is the first of the company’s second-generation electric vehicles (EVs) and introduces the new MMA platform. This platform will also be used in other models like the CLA wagon and the next-gen GLA and GLB SUVs. It marks a major step forward with the debut of in-house developed electric motors, battery technology inspired by the Vision EQXX concept, and a new 800V electrical architecture. Additionally, the CLA sedan will feature the brand-new MB.OS software.
The CLA will be available in both single-motor two-wheel drive and dual-motor all-wheel-drive configurations, with power outputs ranging from 201 hp to 536 hp. The range is expected to exceed 466 miles on a single charge, with efficiency targets of around 5.2 miles per kilowatt-hour.
In the Project N – Return to Nardo test, the focus was not solely on the car’s absolute range, but on its time efficiency. The goal was to highlight how quickly an EV can charge and continue driving, rather than how far it can travel on one charge. Engineers found that charging to 55-60% rather than fully topping up allowed the car to achieve faster charging times, saving significant amounts of time during the run. The CLA stopped 40 times to recharge, each time only spending around 10 minutes from entry to exit at the charging station. This optimization is now integrated into the car’s software, allowing it to calculate the most time-efficient route for trips.
Data from the Nardo run also confirmed the robustness of the CLA’s 800V architecture, with a peak charging rate of about 300 kW, and the ability to handle the stress of high-speed driving and frequent fast charging. This data will help further refine the performance and durability of all future Mercedes-Benz EVs.
Mercedes-Benz Sets New EV Distance Record with 2026 CLA Sedan: A Game-Changer in Time Efficiency
In a remarkable achievement, a pre-production version of the 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA sedan has set a new world record for the longest distance traveled by an electric vehicle in 24 hours. The car covered an impressive 3,717 km (2,309 miles) at an average speed of 154 km/h (95 mph), surpassing the previous record of 3,425 km (2,128 miles) set by a Porsche Taycan back in 2019. But this isn’t just about record-breaking numbers—this groundbreaking feat has profound implications for the future of electric vehicles.
The 2026 CLA sedan is a key player in Mercedes-Benz’s second-generation electric vehicle lineup, introducing the all-new MMA platform that will underpin future models such as the CLA wagon and the next-gen GLA and GLB compact SUVs. More than just a vehicle, it’s a statement of what’s to come for EV technology, featuring a fully in-house developed electric motor, battery tech derived from the Vision EQXX concept, and a sophisticated 800V electrical architecture for rapid charging.
Time Efficiency: The New Metric for EVs
While the focus on range has dominated the electric vehicle conversation for years, Mercedes-Benz is shifting the conversation towards something far more important: time efficiency. The record-breaking run at the Nardo Ring was designed not just to showcase range, but to test how quickly an EV can recharge and get back on the road.
The CLA covered the 2,309 miles in just 24 hours, but the key takeaway is that the car’s battery was recharged in under 10 minutes per stop—despite only being charged to 55-60%. The reason? By charging the battery less than full, the CLA was able to take advantage of faster charging speeds, reducing the downtime between each pit stop.
This is a game-changer for EV owners who prioritize how quickly they can resume their journey, rather than worrying about the battery running dry. Imagine being able to plan long trips with a navigation system that not only calculates the most efficient route but also factors in the optimal charge stops to minimize your total travel time. Mercedes-Benz engineers are already integrating this time-efficient approach into the CLA sedan’s software.
A Peak at the Future of EVs
With its high-tech 800V electrical system, the CLA demonstrated a peak charging rate of 300 kW, confirming that the car can handle the thermal stress from rapid, high-speed driving and frequent charging sessions. This capability will be essential for future EVs, allowing them to handle long road trips without the fear of being stranded with a slow-charging vehicle.
But it’s not just about speed; the MMA platform also ensures that the CLA sedan will offer impressive efficiency. Rumored to have a range of more than 466 miles, the production car will achieve 5.2 miles per kWh, meaning you’ll travel farther on less energy. This, coupled with its quick-charging abilities, means that consumers will have the best of both worlds: a vehicle that can go the distance and charge at lightning speed.
The Bigger Picture: Mercedes-Benz’s EV Future
The 2026 CLA is not just an evolution of the brand’s EV offerings; it’s a blueprint for the future of electric mobility. Learnings from the Nardo run will be applied across all upcoming second-generation Mercedes-Benz EVs, helping refine everything from aerodynamics to battery thermal management and charge speed.
In the end, Mercedes-Benz is redefining what it means to be an electric car owner. It’s no longer just about how far you can go on a single charge; it’s about how quickly you can get back on the road and how seamlessly your car can fit into your everyday life. With the 2026 CLA sedan, Mercedes-Benz is showing the world that the future of EVs is not only more efficient but also more convenient and faster than ever before.
Stay tuned, because this is just the beginning.
