The internal combustion engine should coexist with the electric car while the arrival of a carbon-neutral future is delayed in the name of self-preservation. That’s the frank admission Mercedes is making as it reveals new details about its next generation CLA. Scheduled to go on sale in 2026, the all-new CLA aims to honor the past while laying the foundation for the future. However, the future looks confusing, with the focus appearing to shift from tackling climate change to a company working to protect itself from the pressures of climate legislation.

Traditional automakers are struggling to fully commit to a an all-electric futureincreasingly backtracking on their zero-emission promises while hiding their hesitations under the guise of so-called innovation.

The next-generation CLA, shown here as a prototype test vehicle, tacitly marks Mercedes’ retreat from an all-electric vision in favor of one where internal combustion engines coexist with electric vehicles. In this analogy, the internal combustion engine represents “Neanderthals”, while the electric car symbolizes “Modern Man”.

By diversifying its approach and not fully committing to electric vehicles, Mercedes is effectively conceding that the concept of net zero has always been more of a marketing gimmick than a concrete goal. Although the innovation presented by Mercedes is intriguing, as detailed hereit reveals the brand’s reluctance to abandon the era of internal combustion engines and fully embrace an electric-only future.

From a technical perspective, it is widely recognized that a dedicated electric vehicle (EV) platform is superior to a modular platform supporting both electric drivetrains and traditional ICE systems. However, a modular platform offers Mercedes a safety net: if sales of electric vehicles fail to gain traction, the company can rely on sales of thermal or hybrid engines to maintain profitability.

The main challenge is not the inability to produce electric cars but the difficulty of manufacturing them at a competitive price. European automakers, including Mercedes, are significantly outclassed by Chinese manufacturers, which offer high-end luxury electric vehicles at half the price or less than what Mercedes charges in Europe.

The next-generation Mercedes CLA presents evolutionary innovation with compelling engineering, but it also highlights a lack of ambition to break ties with its past and fully commit to an electric future.

The race for electric vehicles has never been about fighting climate change; it has evolved into a technological arms race for survival and dominance in the age of electric mobility. With its dual engine offering, the CLA underlines Mercedes’ apprehension about the future.