Mercedes-Benz has joined forces with toy car legend Hot Wheels to create a striking one-off concept based on the upcoming 2026 CLA. The collaboration brings the fantasy of childhood car collections into real life, showcasing a full-size 1:1 version alongside a miniature 1:64-scale Hot Wheels model.
The concept wears an eye-catching blue and pink livery that instantly recalls the brand’s playful toy heritage. Wide fenders, orange wheels, and oversized flame graphics combine with a massive Mercedes-Benz-branded spoiler, giving the CLA a bold and exaggerated stance.
According to Mercedes-Benz, the design captures the essence of childhood imagination and emotional connection to cars, treating them as more than just machines — but as creative expressions of personality and freedom.
A retro-futuristic tribute to the 1980s
Beyond its vibrant colour scheme, the CLA Hot Wheels concept channels what Mercedes describes as a “retro-futuristic look” — one inspired by 1980s pop culture. The design cues blend neon styling, exaggerated proportions, and nostalgic fantasy to celebrate the decade that shaped many enthusiasts’ first love for cars.
The concept is also a statement of design freedom, unbound by production constraints. Every detail — from the flame motifs to the colour contrast — is meant to evoke the pure, imaginative fun that Hot Wheels has represented for generations.
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Part of the “Class of Creators” series
The Hot Wheels concept forms part of the Mercedes-Benz “Class of Creators” series — a collection of five specially designed CLA models developed in collaboration with global creatives from fashion, music, art, and gaming.
Each concept reimagines the new CLA through a different lens, showcasing how design and culture intersect across disciplines. The lineup includes collaborations with Swedish designer Gustaf Westman, rapper Ice Spice, streetwear label KidSuper, and video game franchise League of Legends.
CLA concepts with unique personalities
- Ice Spice CLA: A shimmering “molten chrome” finish with the word Princess bedazzled on the side, representing bold self-expression and glam aesthetics.
- Gustaf Westman CLA: A soft, monochrome pink car featuring the designer’s signature “chunky” shapes and a playful zip-up tent on the roof.
- KidSuper CLA: Displayed at Paris Fashion Week, it features floating balloons and a riveted metal exterior, turning the CLA into a rolling art installation.
- League of Legends CLA: A mirror-finish chrome car inspired by the popular game’s futuristic visual universe.
Each model reflects a different creative philosophy, but all highlight the new CLA’s design flexibility and cultural appeal.
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What to expect from the 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA
The production version of the 2026 CLA will go on sale in Australia next year, introducing a new generation built on the Mercedes Modular Architecture (MMA) platform. Unlike previous models, this platform was designed primarily for electric vehicles and later adapted for petrol and hybrid versions.
Mild-hybrid models are expected to use a 1.5L Turbo 4-cylinder engine paired with an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic. Pricing is anticipated to start above the current $72,400 (before on-road costs).
Electric power and performance
The fully electric CLA will feature battery capacities of up to 85kWh and DC fast-charging speeds of 320kW, capable of adding 325km of range in just 10 minutes.
Entry-level models will have a 200kW/335Nm rear motor, allowing 0–100km/h in 6.7 seconds, while the dual-motor all-wheel-drive variant develops 260kW combined. Mercedes also claims an energy consumption figure as low as 12.2kWh/100km, positioning the CLA among the most efficient EVs in its class.
More details to come
More Australian details — including final pricing, variants, and specifications — will be revealed closer to launch in 2026. For now, the Hot Wheels concept showcases a more playful side of Mercedes-Benz, merging nostalgia, design, and performance into one bold statement.
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