The second generation of electric cars from Mercedes-Benz has arrived, with the all-new CLA – a car so clever and so packed with artificial intelligence that its makers claim it can recognise your emotions like a friend.

Mercedes-Benz launched its new CLA in Rome, featuring advanced AI-integrated technology and a focus on sustainability.

The new CLA also marks a change in strategy for Mercedes. Rather than have different line-ups for electric cars – badged EQ – the CLA is available as an EV with two versions and a full hybrid with a 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine and small battery. In a further twist, Mercedes has said that both petrol and EV models should be priced similarly.

The German automaker's newest entry-level model carries the company's legacy into an electrified, and hybridized, future.

Mercedes is also bucking the traditional method of introducing a new platform as an ICE vehicle and then wedging the design into an EV platform. Instead, the company is going “EV first,” launching the CLA as an EV first and then later as an internal combustion with a mild hybrid in 2026.

Mercedes-Benz CLA may be an entry-level model, but it's leading the way with new tech and EV hardware improvements.The Latest Tech News, Delivered to Your Inbox

Mercedes-Benz has revealed the 2025 CLA, which they claim to be more spacious, refined, and efficient as compared to the outgoing model. This new-generation entry-level coupe sedan will be available with electric and hybrid drives.

The new CLA offers more to customers in every dimension: more space, more refinement, more comfort, more intelligence, and more efficiency compared to its predecessor. It is the cleverest car Mercedes‑Benz ever made – and the first model in a completely new family of vehicles.

Mercedes-Benz has introduced the new CLA, which operates on the proprietary Mercedes-Benz Operating System (MB.OS), marking it as the most intelligent vehicle in the lineup. This new system allows for regular over-the-air updates,