This new Mercedes-Benz alliance is going to revolutionize the future of engines. The automotive industry is going through a historic transformation having in mind the pressure to reduce emissions, the need for more sustainable technology, and global competition. That’s why Mercedes-Benz have decided to team up with the Chinese company Geely to develop a new engine and the third generation of the CLA model, showing how international cooperation redefines the future of the automobile. So, let’s learn more about what these companies are doing.
Global collaboration
During most part of the 20th century and the first half of the 21st century, automakers fiercely fought to lead the market. However, the current costs of research, stricter environmental regulations, and climate urgency have shifted priorities. Now, collaboration among companies is key to advance with new technologies. Let’s see some of the collabs:
- Toyota and Subaru developing shared platforms for electric cars.
- Honda and General Motors working together on hydrogen fuel cells and electric engines.
- Toyota and BMW partnering to help BMW launch its first hydrogen-powered vehicle.
One more company is joining this global trend: Mercedes-Benz.
New Mercedes-Benz CLA engine
The big novelty is the third generation of the Mercedes-Benz CLA, a model combining design, performance, and efficiency. The most important aspect of this project is the 2.0T 4-cylinder engine, which is manufactured by Geely along with Horse – a company created with Renault Group. This collaboration is no surprise considering that Geely owns about 10% of Mercedes-Benz, which makes technical and financial cooperation much easier between both companies.
This new engine sounds already great, but let’s see which are its main features:
- Maximum power: 250 horsepower (186 kW).
- Maximum torque: 360 Nm.
Hybrid and electric future
The launching of the Mercedes-Benz CLA with an internal combustion engine is already a reality, but the plan is even more ambitious. By 2024, it is expected the arrival of hybrid versions, while fully electric models promise cutting-edge features:
- Rear-mounted motor delivering 175 kW.
- Battery capacity of 89.6 kWh.
- Driving range of up to 750 km (WLTC).
- MMA platform with 800V architecture, allowing 400 km of extra range in just 15 minutes of charging.
With these figures, Mercedes-Benz is showing its decision to go for electrification is serious and competitive in a market which rivals like Tesla and BYD advance pretty fast.
Competition and cooperation
Even though international cooperation is more frequently seen, competition is still there – and has even spread toward futuristic technology like autonomous driving. Tesla, pioneer when it comes to electric and semi-autonomous cars, is now facing the pressure of Chinese companies like BYD which offer models with electric and driver-assist technologies that rival Tesla’s. What’s more, big names like Amazon and Alphabet (Google) also experiment with autonomous fleets in Austin, Texas.
Witnessing this scenario, Mercedes-Benz is combining alliances with Chinese and European companies to develop next-generation engines while keeping their commitment to innovation in electrification and digitization.
Impact of the Mercedes-Benz and Geely collab
This alliance goes beyond the development of an engine, it means a change of mind in the automotive industry:
- Shared resources lower research and development costs.
- Combined expertise speeds up innovation.
- Expanded portfolios strengthen both companies’ global presence.
The Mercedes-Benz CLA is just the first visible step of a cooperation that could expand to other models and technology, like electric platforms, hybrid systems, and smart mobility solutions. As a consequence, this could reinforce the role of the company as a leader in the global automotive revolution.
So, if you thought we already had many types of vehicles to choose from, imagine how many we will have in the future…