A striking new CLA will be rolling onto roads later this year, and the German firm reckons it will be its 'cleverest' car ever. This major update - which will be the first of many from Merc - not only offers a refreshed appearance but also some smart upgrades, including a new 'supercomputer' inside, which makes sure the vehicle stays constantly connected and updated.

Mercedes says its new CLA will be the first to fully operate on the in-house developed Mercedes-Benz Operating System (MB.OS). Think of it like Apple's homemade iOS running on its own-brand iPhone.

This not only makes things smarter but also allows the company to push out regular over-the-air updates, keeping things feeling fresh long after the tyres have left the showroom floor.

"MB.OS marks the start of the fourth MBUX generation. It opens up a new world of personalised experiences and intuitive interaction between human and vehicle, setting new standards in the automotive industry," Mercedes explained.

Another bonus of MB.OS is its compatibility with services from the likes of Google, Microsoft and ChatGPT. This will bring AI right into the driving seat with owners able to chat their car just like it's a real person. Mercedes is even promising that the car will be able to recognise emotions and respond accordingly. Perhaps that means it will calm you down when having some road rage.

Another major change for Mercedes is the CLA's new look when you hop inside. This car gets a huge Superscreen which spreads across the dashboard - passengers can even have their very own mini 14-inch display (at an extra cost of course).

Not only is the pin-sharp panel bigger than before, but it also comes with a revamped appearance, is powered by a more impressive processor and gets real-time graphics from the Unity Game Engine.

This combines to create a better visual experience, improved customisation and easier access to favourite apps, including streaming services such as Disney+. Those who have opted for that bonus passenger display can even binge on boxsets on the move.

Mercedes has confirmed that triple-A games will also be available to download and play on the main central display when the car is parked. Owners can use their gaming controllers to make the action feel more like a PlayStation.

To boost the entertainment further, there's a Burmester 3D Surround Sound System with Dolby Atmos, which Mercedes promises will offer an unparalleled multidimensional music experience.

This OS update isn't just about having fun with Google's popular Maps platform becoming integrated which should make it easier to find places to go and points of interest.

A full augmented reality 3D view of the road ahead can also be displayed and can even warn if dangers are ahead.

Along with that artificial intelligence (AI) and new cockpit, the outside of the car has also been revamped with new star-shaped lights and a sporty A-shape grille that glows at night.

A huge panoramic glass roof comes as standard to make things feel more spacious inside. The star-shaped taillights are also connected by a band of light, which is animated with coming-home and leaving-home scenarios

It still looks like a CLA but it now feels a lot more modern and imposing on the road thanks to its shark-nose design.

Regarding driving, the CLA has numerous engine options, including a Hybrid and a full electric variant.

When going battery-powered, Mercedes says owners could get over 500 miles of driving and refilling will be super fast, with 200 miles of juice added in just 10 minutes (depending on the charger of course). Mercedes hopes this will make its new EV feel more like a petrol car when topping up the tank.

The electric CLA is also the first Mercedes-Benz vehicle to feature an air-to-air heat pump. So, it no longer takes the detour through a water circuit and, as a so-called multi-source model, can use three energy sources in parallel: the waste heat from the electric drivetrain, the battery, as well as the ambient air.

Mercedes says that by using this "free" heat, the air-to-air heat pump contributes to the high efficiency of the CLA. It requires only about one-third of the electrical energy that a comparable auxiliary heater would need for the same output.

"The new CLA offers more to customers in every dimension: more space, more refinement, more comfort, more intelligence, and more efficiency compared to its predecessor. It is the cleverest car Mercedes-Benz ever made - and the first model in a completely new family of vehicles," Mercedes explained.

There's no word on UK launch date or price but expect more news to be announced soon.