In an effort to simplify their product lineup, Mercedes is reducing their number of compact offerings from seven vehicles to four. One of those four vehicles making the cut is the CLA, and alongside a new gas-powered model, the German automaker plans on introducing an electric version as well. Our spy photographers were able to capture prototypes of this electric CLA out testing as it made its spy debut, and while the vehicle is still heavily camouflaged, we’re able to distinguish its electric propulsion from its ICE counterpart based on its more rounded form and lack of grille ventilation.

We’re also able to make out the car’s production lighting, which manifests itself as two headlights connected by an LED strip. Down below we can see the faint outline of a “grille”, though it’s difficult to tell its exact shape. Mercedes could continue with the design trend of their current EQ models — with the grille and lights all connecting into a single shape — or they could go with a design similar to the Vision EQXX and Vision AMG concepts in which the grille remains a separate entity from the lighting. Either way, it’s safe to expect some influence from these electric concept vehicles even if the styling isn’t a direct adaptation of them.

 

At the rear, there’s little more to be seen than the lighting, which looks to be a solid bar in the style of the EQE and EQS. In all likelihood, this end of the car will be more familiar than the front, incorporating a mix of cues from the new gas-powered CLA and Mercedes’ other electric models. The overall shape of the vehicle also appears to be more evolutionary than revolutionary, with the CLA’s sleek four-door coupe body style already lending itself nicely to the aerodynamics of an EV. That being said, we wouldn’t be surprised if Mercedes smoothed it out a bit more compared to the gas-powered CLA to help it slip through the air a bit better.

The electric CLA is expected to arrive next year, though the concept previewing it is expected to be revealed this September at the International Motor Show in Munich. Coinciding with this reveal will likely also be its combustion-engined counterpart, which will ride on the same MMA architecture. This platform, which will underpin a variety of Mercedes’ upcoming vehicles, is designed to be compatible with ICE and electric powertrains alike. On the topic of electric powertrains, little is known about the one in the CLA EV, but Mercedes did reveal that they’re targeting a range of 644 km, which would put it squarely in contention with the likes of Tesla and other powerhouses in the compact EV segment.