2026 Mercedes CLA World Premiere 13th March

The countdown is on and the wraps are coming off. Mercedes CLA world premiere: 13th March, 7 PM CET.
 

After a little over six years in the market, the second-generation CLA is getting ready to be phased off. Mercedes has a brand-new premium subcompact four-door coupe right around the corner, which will premiere tomorrow.
 
A recent social media post reveals that the all-new 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA will debut on March 13 at 7:00 PM CET (2:00 PM EST). Thus, the countdown to the official unveiling, which will probably be streamed online, has begun, and in anticipation of the new model, the three-pointed star brand has released a few teasers images of the car.
 
We already knew that the new-gen Mercedes CLA would feature star-studded LED DRLs in the main clusters and a similar styling for the taillights. What we did not know, however, was that it will also get this feature on the new grille. One of the images that the company just released on social media partially reveals the grille with a large corporate logo in the middle and numerous tiny stars that appear to be backlit by a whole bunch of tiny LEDs surrounding it.
 
This design suits any modern-day Mercedes like a glove, and between us, we are surprised that it took the automaker this long to come up with it. If anything, we will likely see older models with similar-styled lighting units at both ends and maybe on other components in the future, as several tuners are perhaps preparing similar aftermarket upgrades. But that’s a story for another time, as we also have to highlight other features of the upcoming CLA.
 
The car also appears to have a thin light strip spanning across its entire front fascia, as shown in a teaser video that Gorden Wagener, the company’s design chief, shared on Instagram. Some styling cues appear to have been inspired by the EQE and EQS electric vehicles. Additional changes include the flush-mounted door handles and a brand-new greenhouse. The model retains its sloping roofline, and by the looks of it, it still has a regular trunk lid, meaning that it hasn’t morphed into a liftback.
 

Beneath the skin of the all-new 2026 CLA lies the MMA (Mercedes Modular Architecture). The model has an 800-volt electrical architecture for faster charging times, as it is believed to be able to sip electrons at up to 320 kW. Mercedes confirmed that an electric version with a rear-mounted motor rated at 268 horsepower (272 ps/200 kW) will be available, with the 4Matic variant adding a 107 hp (109 ps/80 kW) motor at the front axle for boosted capability and extra traction when needed.
 
The company also hinted at an optional 85 kWh silicon oxide battery, which we might learn more about tomorrow when the new CLA debuts. A hybridized 1.5-liter four-cylinder assembly is also believed to be part of the powertrain family, adding a tiny 1.3 kWh battery pack and an eight-speed DCT said to incorporate a small electric motor. This model might be able to drive on electric power at speeds of up to 62 miles an hour (100 kph). The ICE is expected to be good for 188 hp (190 ps/140 kW), whereas the electric motor should generate 27 hp (27 ps/20 kW), with FWD being standard and AWD an option.
 
We wouldn’t be surprised if the Stuttgart-based car manufacturer expands the powertrain family eventually with more offerings covering both the ICE and the EV family. An AMG, or perhaps more, should also be on the menu for customers wanting more oomph from their brand-new CLA and an alternative (with two more doors) to the mighty BMW M2 Coupe, which comes with 473 horsepower from an updated 3.0L six-banger for the 2025 model year. The Bimmer does 0-60 mph in 3.9 seconds with the 8sp auto and 4.1s with the 6sp manual transmission.
 
As you probably know from the previous spy shots, Mercedes is also planning to launch a Shooting Brake version of the all-new 2026 CLA. Prototypes of the sporty-looking station wagon with an arched roofline behind the B-pillars have surfaced several times, and this model will target those who need the extra space behind the seats. The family-friendlier version of the new-generation Mercedes CLA is probably a few months away from being introduced, as it appears that the car manufacturer will only showcase the premium subcompact sedan, aka the four-door coupe, tomorrow.
 
Nonetheless, it is great to see that Mercedes has decided to stick to the Shooting Brake recipe (it’s not a real Shooting Brake, of course), as we think the automotive world needs more alternatives to crossovers that continue to invade us and seal the fate of traditional models worldwide. The upcoming CLA Shooting Brake will be offered with the same powertrain family as its shorter-roof sibling when it arrives in the market, perhaps later this year. So, are you excited that the four-door CLA is only a few hours away from being presented?