2026 Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake Blends Style & Substance

Way back in September 2023, Mercedes-Benz presented the Concept CLA Class as a preview of all the fantastic design and technology improvements to come, and as the production CLA-Class approaches its global reveal in sedan form later today, our spy photographers have caught images of the station wagon. That’s what it is, though Mercedes calls it the CLA Shooting Brake, a much more evocative name. And looking at these images, it’s arguably stylish enough to qualify.
 

The New CLA Is Part Of A Broader Design Language Update
Shortly after the concept was unveiled, Mercedes confirmed that it had three new models on the way, one of which would be a shooting brake. That car seems just about ready for a reveal too, as this pre-production car seems to have the same star-accented lighting systems front and back as the ones Mercedes has been teasing over the last few months. There’s also an AMG version on the way, but we expect that to be shown off later this year or early in 2026.
 

Although the production CLA won’t look as radical as the concept, it will still be a big step forward for Mercedes design, with a much more defined and distinctive look – something that cannot be said about previous Mercedes jellybean EV designs like the EQS, which sat on dealer floors for ages because of a lack of lust factor. We’ll have to wait for today’s reveal to be sure, but we doubt anyone will be deriding future Mercedes EVs for their looks.
 

Plenty Of Advanced Technology Beneath The Skin
The new EV will be a showcase of Mercedes technology in many ways, but the part that really matters for its zero-emission ambitions is the electric powertrain derived from that in the remarkable EQXX Concept. With it, Mercedes has already taken range records from Porsche, and the production version is expected to offer both astonishing range and quick recharge times, with almost 250 miles in just 15 minutes being one of the hints left by Stuttgart’s engineers.
 
Although there’s no evidence of any engine cooling in this electric prototype, it’s important to note that the CLA will not be an EV exclusively. Mild-hybrid 48V solutions are also coming, though some reports suggest that this powertrain will be built in China, so we can’t bank on seeing it in America. Regardless, the mere sighting of this developmental mule indicates that the wait for a full reveal of all variants can’t be too far away. Expect the entire non-AMG range to be revealed within the next few months.