Mercedes-Benz has unveiled its latest addition to the CLA lineup: the all-new CLA Shooting Brake. This model marks a significant milestone as the brand’s first electric shooting brake, blending the CLA’s elegant design with spacious interiors and cutting-edge electric vehicle (EV) technology.
Mercedes-Benz announced on Tuesday that the CLA Shooting Brake is designed for versatility, catering to both daily commutes and leisure activities. The trunk offers a generous 455 liters (about 16 cubic feet) of cargo space, expandable to 1,290 liters (about 46 cubic feet). An additional 101-liter (about 3.6 cubic feet) frunk under the hood provides extra storage. The roof rails can support up to 75 kg (about 165 pounds), while the vehicle boasts a towing capacity of 1,800 kilograms (about 3,968 pounds). Standard features include an electric tailgate and 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats for enhanced practicality.
Aesthetically, the CLA Shooting Brake shares design elements with the CLA sedan up to the B-pillar. Its extended, flowing roofline creates the signature sleek silhouette characteristic of shooting brakes. The front fascia showcases a distinctive panel adorned with 142 light-emitting diode (LED) stars, adding a touch of sophistication.
The expansive panoramic roof enhances the interior’s sense of spaciousness and openness. To ensure comfort, the roof features insulated laminated safety glass with infrared-reflective and low-emissivity coatings, effectively managing solar heat. The panoramic roof is further embellished with 158 illuminated stars that sync with the ambient lighting, elevating the luxurious atmosphere.
Compared to its predecessor, the new CLA Shooting Brake offers more interior space. It’s 35 mm (about 1.4 inches) longer, 27 mm (about 1.1 inches) taller, and has a 61 mm (about 2.4 inches) longer wheelbase, measuring 4,723 mm (about 186 inches) in length, 1,469 mm (about 58 inches) in height, with a 2,790 mm (about 110 inches) wheelbase. Rear passengers benefit from an additional 26 mm (about 1 inch) of headroom, while front occupants enjoy 14 mm (about 0.6 inch) more headroom and 11 mm (about 0.4 inch) more legroom.
The CLA Shooting Brake features Mercedes-Benz’s proprietary Mercedes-Benz Operating System (MB.OS). The fourth-generation Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) integrates Microsoft and Google Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies, enabling more natural interactions and conversation memory.
In terms of performance, Mercedes-Benz is setting new benchmarks in the EV market. Two variants will be available at launch: the CLA 250+ Shooting Brake with electric intelligence (EQ) Technology and the all-wheel-drive CLA 350 4MATIC Shooting Brake with EQ Technology. Both models are equipped with an 85 kWh battery.
The CLA 250+ Shooting Brake boasts an impressive range of up to 761 km (about 473 miles) (Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP)), while the CLA 350 4MATIC Shooting Brake offers up to 730 km (about 454 miles). The battery cells utilize silicon oxide-enhanced graphite anodes for improved energy density. Thanks to the 800V architecture, charging times are significantly reduced. The CLA 250+ Shooting Brake can add up to 310 km (about 193 miles) (WLTP) of range in just 10 minutes of fast charging.
The European market launch is slated for March 2026, with the all-electric models leading the way. A 48V mild hybrid variant is also planned for early 2026.
