Seoul:Mercedes-Benz Korea has introduced all-electric versions of its CLA sedan and GLC sport utility vehicle (SUV) as part of its strategy to expand its electric vehicle offerings in South Korea.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the German luxury automaker launched the new electric CLA and GLC, built on next-generation, in-house-developed electric vehicle platforms. Mercedes-Benz Korea CEO Shirin Emeera highlighted the significance of these models as the first representatives of a new generation of purpose-built electric architectures during the launch event in Seoul.
The electric CLA offers two variants the CLA 250+ electric with an 85 kWh nickel-cobalt-manganese (NCM) battery and the CLA 200 electric with a 58 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery. Both models use batteries supplied by Chinese battery maker Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd. (CATL) and provide driving ranges of 474 kilometers and 342 kilometers, respectively, on a single charge under South Korean certification standards. Fast charging is supported, allowing the batteries to charge from 10 percent to 80 percent in about 22 minutes and 20 minutes, respectively.
The electric GLC, the first fully electric version of the popular SUV, is equipped with an 85 kWh NCM battery, offering a driving range of up to 448 kilometers. Its battery can also be charged from 10 percent to 80 percent in approximately 22 minutes.
The electric CLA is available in five trims, with prices ranging from 52.9 million won (US$39,759) to 67.7 million won. The electric GLC is offered in two launch editions, priced at 90 million won and 94.8 million won. Mercedes-Benz reported that the electric CLA has received about 1,000 preorders since September, while the electric GLC has attracted over 2,500 orders since July. Deliveries for both models are scheduled to commence in mid-November.