- Mercedes held the first public showing of the 2026 CLA model in the United States at an event in New York City and also presented a fresh take on their art car concept.
- The latter was developed in partnership with Ice Spice and represents the initial model among five limited editions.
- The CLA will debut in America as an electric vehicle, though a hybrid version will come at a later date.
Subaru made a dramatic entrance at the New York Auto Show with a
marshmallow
and the
Wagon Queen Family Truckster
, yet surprisingly, they did not possess the most unsightly vehicle in the Big Apple. On the contrary, that distinction belonged to this CLA art car, which was presented at Mercedes-Benz of Manhattan.
As part of the “Class of Creators” collection, this vehicle was created alongside Ice Spice, an American rapper notable for being younger than members of the Spice Girls group. Despite potentially making some feel their age, the multi-Grammy nominated musician revealed a “molten chrome” CLA adorned with a diamond-studded Princess necklace.
More:
Starry but Soulless: 2026 Mercedes CLA Relies on AI and Electric Power
The final design appears starry yet devoid of soul.
CLA
It appears to be melting on a hot summer day. Nevertheless, the transformations do not end there, as the art car also features tilted wheels along with tires adorned with fake gems. These elements are complemented by metal accents and a recognizable grill surrounded uniquely.
Although the art car appears more junk than treasure, there are four additional ones coming up. Gustaf Westman’s creation will debut on May 22, with KidSupers’ following suit on June 28. These will be succeeded by art cars from
Hot Wheels
and League of Legends.
In the meantime, the Actual 2026 CLA Discreetly Makes Its Appearance
At the event in New York, Mercedes showcased the U.S. premiere of the 2026 CLA, though they didn’t emphasize it much. The car had previously made its European debut earlier in the year featuring a sleek design along with a simple yet stylish cabin that could include an MBUX Superscreen setup. This includes a 10.25-inch digital dashboard, a 14-inch central touchscreen for entertainment purposes, and another 14-inch screen dedicated to passengers at the front. All these screens operate using the latest version of the Mercedes-Benz operating system, incorporating advancements from artificial intelligence alongside integration capabilities provided by both Google and Microsoft technologies.
The CLA will be introduced as an
EV
And Americans will have two distinct choices available. The CLA 250+ equipped with EQ Technology features a rear-mounted engine producing 268 horsepower (200 kilowatts / 272 peak metric horsepower) and delivering 247 pound-feet (335 newton-meters) of torque. This setup allows the vehicle to sprint from 0 to 60 miles per hour (or 0 to 96 kilometers per hour) in around 6.6 seconds, reach a capped maximum velocity of 130 miles per hour (which equates to about 209 kilometers per hour), and achieve an estimated driving range under the Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) of between 431 to 492 miles (that’s roughly equivalent to 694 to 792 kilometers).
The CLA 350 4MATIC with EQ Technology stands out due to its advanced dual-motor all-wheel-drive setup, which delivers an impressive total power output of 349 horsepower (260 kilowatts / 354PS) and torque of 380 pound-feet (515 Newton meters). This enhanced performance allows for acceleration from zero to 60 mph (96 km/h) in just 4.8 seconds; however, the maximum velocity stays constant. Nonetheless, this improvement leads to a reduced driving range of between 418 to 479 miles (or 672 to 771 kilometers).
A Combined Choice Is On Its Way
Mercedes has also verified that the U.S. market will receive a CLA.
48-volt hybrid powertrain
There is limited information available, however, the firm has mentioned before that it will feature a 1.5-liter four-cylinder petrol engine, a 1.3 kWh battery, and an electric motor incorporated within an eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox. It’s anticipated that this hybrid model will come with two distinct power levels along with both front- and all-wheel-drive options—primarily for European markets.
