New Mercedes-Benz CLA will feature a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine from Horse Powertrain Limited, a joint venture between Renault and Geely.

The engine will crank out 250 horsepower and 360 Nm of torque. Production will take place in China, but Mercedes-Benz lent its engineering know-how to the development process.

This transcontinental production process shows how global the automotive industry has become. Engines will be made in China, shipped to Germany, and fitted with catalytic converters there.

The partnership behind this engine reflects deeper ties between Mercedes-Benz and Geely. Li Shufu, Geely's chief executive, owns a 10% stake in Mercedes. The two companies also work together on Smart EV production.

Mercedes-Benz has a history of collaborating on engines for the CLA. The first two generations of the CLA 180d model used engines developed with Renault and Nissan.

Reports from CarNewsChina suggest the new CLA will have some neat features. A 48-volt mild-hybrid system with a starter motor in the transmission should make for a smoother, more efficient drive.

Momenta, a company Mercedes has backed since 2017, will provide an advanced driver assistance system. It's supposed to help with urban driving even without detailed maps. Other big names like GM, SAIC, and Jack Ma's Yunfeng Capital have also invested in Momenta.

Source: Carnewschina

Евгений Ушаков
Evgenii Ushakov
15 years driving