- A Mercedes-Benz CLA EV prototype broke a record previously held by the Porsche Taycan
- Mercedes achieved a distance of 2,309 miles in 24 hours at the Nardo test track
- The production version of the Mercedes CLA EV could be the most efficient EV in the U.S. market
Records are meant to be broken, and Mercedes-Benz has just surpassed one set by Porsche.
In April, Mercedes-Benz quietly brought an electric CLA-Class prototype to the Nardo test track to test how many miles it could cover in 24 hours. The result was 2,309 miles, setting a new record.
2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA EV prototype sets distance record at Nardo
Known as Project N internally, the team used two electric CLA prototypes to achieve this record. Porsche had previously set the record of 2,128 miles in 2019 with a Taycan.
The team took 40 charging breaks during the attempt, with each break lasting around 10 minutes. The 2026 CLA can add 186 miles of range in 10 minutes, according to Mercedes, starting at a 10% state of charge. The car’s 85-kwh battery pack can gain about 36 kwh in that time, bringing it to 50% charge.
2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA EV prototype sets distance record at Nardo
The rapid charging is made possible by the CLA’s 800-volt electrical system, similar to the Taycan’s setup.
The record-breaking CLA started at 100% charge, and the team adjusted the charging strategy in real-time based on factors like air temperature and wind conditions. The charging stops were strategically planned due to the charger’s location on the track, leading to varying states of charge during each stop.
The ambient temperatures during the test ranged from 55.4 degrees Fahrenheit at night to 84.2 degrees during the day.
2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA EV prototype sets distance record at Nardo
The average speed of the car during the test was 96.2 mph, with a top speed of 130 mph achieved.
The team, consisting of six drivers, completed three shift changes with the rear-wheel-drive CLA EV. A single 200-kw motor delivered 268 hp to the rear wheels. The 2-speed automatic transmission played a role in the car’s efficiency, as per Mercedes.
While the Porsche Taycan is not the most efficient EV available, the Lucid Air holds that title with a 5.0 mi/kwh range rating. However, the Taycan often surpasses its EPA range ratings in real-world driving, possibly due to its 2-speed transmission and cruising ratio. If the production version of the 2026 CLA EV outperforms the Air, as suggested by Mercedes, it could become the new efficiency leader upon its release in 2025.
Mercedes-Benz sponsored travel, accommodation, and some German pretzels for Green Car Reports to provide this exclusive coverage.