By Maxime Dobremel
Road Test
Leaving Paris on a Friday morning, gliding silently along the Normandy motorway aboard the new Mercedes Benz CLA 350 4MATIC With EQ AMG Line technology, you're choosing a certain way to approach travel: without fanfare, without impatience, with the quiet confidence that comes with a range of over 550 kilometers. Enough to reach Fécamp and return without ever stopping to recharge. Luxury, sometimes, is also about that.
The new-generation CLA marks a turning point in Mercedes' philosophy. It's no longer just a premium compact sedan; it's a complete aesthetic and technical offering, tailored for those who refuse to choose between elegance and modernity. Four days of driving between the city, the fields of the Pays de Caux, and the coast were enough to fully appreciate its subtlety.
A silhouette that captures the light
Parked facing the sea, at the foot of the Normandy cliffs, the CLA 350 commands attention without ever being ostentatious. In MANUFAKTUR Alpine Grey, the bodywork, with its fluid and taut lines, harmonizes naturally with the open horizons, the changing skies, and the low-angled light of the Pays de Caux coastline. The coupe roofline, the 19-inch AMG five-twin-spoke wheels in gloss black, the AMG body kit: everything is just right, measured, and refined.
It is in front of the Palais Bénédictine in Fécamp, with its neo-Gothic and Renaissance architecture, that this model reveals the fullness of its character. The golden stone of the building and the gray body of the sedan resonate with each other, two expressions of the care lavished on form. A few kilometers further on, facing the Notre-Dame-des-Flots church in Yport, perched above the fishing village, the car takes on yet another dimension: understated, elegant, anchored in the landscape as if it were part of it.
As dusk falls, the CLA reveals its most striking signature: at the front, the MULTIBEAM LED headlights create animated patterns, veritable light projections that serve as a ritual opening with each unlocking. This display is far from superfluous embellishment; it's automotive artistry, designed to evoke emotion even before the engine starts. At the rear, the flowing light strip completes the picture with contemporary restraint.
On the road, silence speaks volumes.
Its electric propulsion is a revelation for anyone who still associated the pleasure of driving with internal combustion engines. From the very first kilometers, you understand that the silence isn't an absence: it's a different kind of presence. You listen to the road differently, you perceive the wind more clearly, and the sounds inside the car take on a new dimension.
The dreaded Friday evening traffic jams on the A13 are navigated with unprecedented serenity. The DISTRONIC adaptive cruise control takes over, manages distances, brakes, and accelerates, without ever being abrupt. You're no longer behind the wheel of a car stuck in a traffic jam; you're simply there, present, listening to the music.
Beyond Rouen, the roads open up. And that's where the CLA truly comes into its own. The 354 horsepower and 515 Nm of torque from the 4MATIC all-wheel drive are noticeable during acceleration: precise, linear, and powerful without ever feeling unpredictable. The tight, winding country roads between Fécamp and Yport reveal a reassuring chassis and a front end that grips confidently. You feel the road without ever being affected by its unpredictable nature. Total control, enveloped in an almost electric fluidity.
An interior to live in
Opening the door of the CLA is like stepping into a space designed with care and coherence. The AMG sport seats in ARTICO and MICROCUT microfiber, in black and pearl white with red stitching, exude a confident elegance, without being rigid or austere. Comfort is effortless, a given.
The black fabric headliner sets the tone for the cabin, a blend of modernity and refinement. Facing the driver, the MBUX interface orchestrates a bright and responsive instrument panel. The 14-inch passenger screen, a rarity in this segment, transforms the front passenger seat into a true travel space. The head-up display for the driver projects essential information without taking their eyes off the Normandy road.
But it's the Burmester Surround system that truly impresses. Its deep bass, warm midrange, and crystalline treble create a soundstage that perfectly complements the car's interior with astonishing precision. A true travel companion.
Charging time
On the return journey, before getting back on the motorway towards Paris, a stop at a charging station was in order. Not out of necessity: the range would have been more than enough. Rather, out of curiosity, to experience firsthand the remarkable charging technology of the CLA 350 4MATIC. With a DC power output of up to 320 kW, the battery can be charged from 10% to 80% in just 22 minutes. The time it takes to drink a coffee.
The large suitcase slides effortlessly into the 405-liter trunk. Two others fit easily. And for travelers with even more luggage, the frunk—the front storage compartment under the hood where the internal combustion engine used to be—offers an additional 101 liters. This generous space definitively makes the electric sedan suitable for a long weekend getaway.
Electric vehicles, finally reconciled with elegance
At the end of these four days in Normandy, between the cliffs of Fécamp, the narrow streets of Yport, and the ballet of seagulls above the harbor, the CLA 350 4MATIC with EQ AMG Line technology has lived up to all its promises. It is a car that compromises on nothing: driving pleasure, aesthetic excellence, and environmental responsibility. It embodies a certain vision of contemporary automotive luxury: discreet, intelligent, and supremely refined.
With the CLA, Mercedes is ushering in a new era for its compact car family. An era where electric driving is no longer something to be endured, but something to be savored. An era where 550 kilometers of range is not a constraint, but an invitation. Time for the next getaway.
Photos: Maxime Dobremel
