Mercedes-Benz Concept CLA Class Photo Gallery

While the Frankfurt Auto Show is no more, the IAA, German abbreviation for "Big, Honkin' Car Show," has downsized, gone green, moved to Munich, and seems to be taking up the big-car-show banner. Witness this important Mercedes debut, the Concept CLA Class. Like everything in the future, it's all-electric, with a single motor driving the rear wheels making 235 hp.

That motor is mated to a two-speed transmission which, combined with the car's 800-volt architecture, should make for a range of 400 miles. Or so. Inside, the car will incorporate the width-of-the-car infotainment display from the MBUX Superscreen seen in the Vision EQXX concept. And it will form the basis for three other Benzes: an all-electric wagon that will likely stay in Europe, sadly, and the next GLA and GLB crossovers.

And that's not all: Mercedes says the CLA Concept is equipped for Level 3 autonomous driving. No word on price yet, but the first production cars will roll out in late 2024.

The seats look like happy hammerhead sharks.