ON THE ROAD- IAN LYNAS ON THE FIRST EV SHOOTING BRAKE FROM MERCEDES

Sporty and practical and the new CLA EV Shooting Brake from Mercedes-Benz is the first electric vehicle of its type from the giant German carmaker.

The name, if I recall correctly, was and probably is a term used in the US market for what we commonly call an estate. The manufacturer states that the range is up to 761km (473m) and charging for a further 310km (193m) can be achieved, of course depending on the charger, in some ten minutes. However if you wish to get your driving hands on this new CLA you will have to wait until early next year.

Further battery-electric variants will be added to the model range at the beginning of next year. The CLA 250+ Shooting Brake and the CLA 350 4MATIC Shooting Brake have a lithium-ion battery with a usable energy content of 85 kWh and the cells have anodes in which silicon oxide is added to the graphite, increasing the energy density.

Drivers who really appreciate a vehicle with a sporty theme and who still require a practical means of transport for every day will find this newcomer very appealing. The boot has a volume of 455 to 1,290 litres depending on the way you configure the seat arrangement. There is also a frunk under the bonnet which hold a further 101 litres and with roof rails which are standard, surfboards and bikes can be easily transported, this will greatly add to the appeal for those who like the outdoors and a variety of sports. With this new addition to their range Mercedes Benz is taking its conceptual invention of combining the sporty proportions of a four-door coupe with more cargo space and a large tailgate into the electric age. This concept made its debut in 2012 with the CLS Shooting Brake and three years later in the compact segment with the first CLA Shooting Brake. The new Shooting Brake is identical to the CLA Saloon right up to the B-pillar; this means a low greenhouse, sporty shark-nose design and a unique front panel with 142 individually illuminated chrome-look LED stars and with the optional multi beam LED headlights and light strip, the illuminated panel with a Mercedes Benz pattern contributes to the unmistakable identity of all models in the new vehicle family. The rear lights also have a star-shaped design and are connected by a light strip. The longer roof with a roofline that slopes offers more headroom for those who travel in the rear seats, thus more headroom than in the CLA and access to the rear is much easier, this will be appreciated by owners of the CLA; I myself have found headroom restricted in the CLA. Looking at the interior, with its unique architecture it’s identical to that of the CLA and with its avant-garde style, it offers a new luxury experience in this vehicle class. Highlights include the sporty, high-positioned centre console divided into two levels, the door panel inserts and the MBUX Superscreen. They are designed as if they were floating in space and this creates an impressive sense of lightness, which further adds to the generous feeling of space.

I can see the young generation, who might never have thought of owning a Mercedes-Benz ,could very well find this one on their shopping list.

Ian Lynas