The Nine-Mile Equation: How Mercedes and VW Are Re-Engineering the Compact EV

As Mercedes-Benz chases radical powertrain efficiency with a 55kWh pack, Volkswagen pivots toward tactile redemption with the ID. Tiguan.

By Wei Lan · Downforce & Divots

The era of the bloated 100-kilowatt-hour battery pack is quietly running out of road.

At the vanguard of this architectural rethink is the new Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric.

By doubling down on inverter optimization, thermal management, and aerodynamic slippery-ness, Mercedes is betting that high-efficiency engineering will beat sheer pack volume…