First displayed in Malaysia in January this year when bookings opened, the third generation of the Mercedes-Benz CLA with EQ Technology is now officially launched.
Although Mercedes-Benz Malaysia had originally indicated that the fully electric model – chosen as the European Car of the Year 2026 – would have a price of around RM296,000 (without insurance), its pricetag is now RM274,888. Only one version – the CLA 250+ AMG Line – is being imported at this time.
Star-themed elements
Visually, the CLA 250+ features a fastback silhouette with a short overhang design and a shark-nose front fascia. The highlight is the new panel with an illuminated Mercedes-Benz pattern, which reinterprets the classic chrome grille. This design element not only includes the large iconic Mercedes-Benz star but also incorporates a total of 142 chrome-effect stars, creating a distinctive brand signature.
The illuminated grille greets and bids farewell to the driver with various animations. Complemented by the surround lighting, there’s also an animated projection of the Mercedes-Benz pattern on the ground adjacent to the door.
The GT-inspired rear end has star-shaped taillights are connected by a band of light, which is animated with coming-home and leaving-home scenarios. The rear diffuser is painted in high-gloss black, aerodynamically optimised and contributes to the aerodynamic efficiency.
The AMG Line exterior package adds sporty bumpers, 19-inch AMG 5-twin-spoke light-alloy wheels, and MULTIBEAM LED headlights. The daytime running lights integrated with the MULTIBEAM LED headlights also form the Mercedes-Benz star as a visual signature.
The CLA has grown in size over three generations and, with a wheelbase of 2790 mm, the latest model is the largest to date. The sleek bodywork has an overall length of 4723 mm and an overall width of 1855 mm, with the roofline 1468 mm above the road. With 60 mm added to the wheelbase, interior space is better than before and the occupants get more legroom and increased headroom.
The CLA is the first modern Mercedes-Benz with a frunk (front storage compartment). It has 101 litres of volume which can take a luggage trolley, a crate of 0.33-litre bottles or the charging cable. At the rear, the boot volume has a volume of 405 litres.
Mercedes-Benz Modular Architecture
The CLA is the first model to use the Mercedes-Benz Modular Architecture (MMA) platform which is specifically designed for electrified drivetrains. MMA represents a major leap in EV and hybrid innovation for Mercedes-Benz, establishing new standards for compact-segment efficiency, range, and sustainability.
Built on a versatile skateboard chassis, the platform combines smart modularity with seamless power distribution and charging integration to support an adaptable, future-ready vehicle family. Other models which now use it are the latest GLB and GLA.
In CLA 250+ application, the platform has a rear-mounted rear axle drive unit producing 200 kW (272 hp)/335 Nm which can propel the CLA 250+ from 0 – 100 km/h in a claimed 6.7 seconds and on to a top speed of 210 km/h.
2-speed transmission
A key mechanical highlight is its 2-speed transmission on the main drive. While most EVS use a single-speed fixed gear, the CLA 250+ transmission has 2 speeds mounted on the Electric Drive Unit at the rear axle.
This set-up resolves the engineering conflict between immediate low-speed responsiveness, top-speed capability. It provides rapid acceleration in first gear (11:1) with efficient cruising at higher speeds in second gear (5:1).
Power is supplied by an 85 kWh high-voltage battery, said to provide a range of up to 792 kms with a full charge. With 800V electrical architecture, the system supports high-speed DC charging up to 320 kW, taking around 22 minutes to recharge from 10% to 80%. This means up to 325 kms of range can be added in 10 minutes. Standard AC charging is handled by an 11 kW on-board charger.
Mercedes-Benz Operating System
The CLA is the first model of the brand to have the proprietary Mercedes-Benz Operating System (MB.OS). Built on a chip-to-cloud architecture, MB.OS decouples hardware from software and allows over-the-air updates for the entire vehicle system.
The fourth-generation MBUX system runs on this platform, integrating generative AI technology with capabilities from Microsoft ChatGPT, Bing, and Google Cloud’s Automotive AI Agent powered by Gemini. This powers the MBUX Virtual Assistant, which handles multi-turn voice queries and provides emotional feedback via a colour-coded avatar on the dashboard.
MBUX Superscreen
The dashboard is dominated by the MBUX Superscreen, a single large glass panel that stretches across the entire width. Housed beneath this glass surface is a trio of LCD displays, comprising a 10.25-inch driver display flanked by two 14-inch screens dedicated to the central infotainment functions and the front passenger. At each end of the Superscreen, round air vents are set into funnel-shaped mouldings to create a floating visual effect, while a minimalist, flat central vent replaces traditional louvres.
The navigation and route guidance system in the CLA 250+ was developed in a partnership between Google and Mercedes-Benz. One of the first systems to integrate Google Cloud’s new Automotive AI Agent for in-vehicle use with Google Maps, the Mercedes-Benz Navigation with Electric Intelligence plans the fastest and most convenient route, including charging stops, based on numerous factors. It dynamically responds to traffic jams or changes in driving style.
The electric seat adjustment switch has also been completely redesigned, featuring a circular body with a galvanised finish. Further accentuating the sporty ambiance is a high-set ‘floating’ centre console extending forward from the front armrest to meet the base of the dash. Its anthracite anodised-look trim incorporates a double cupholder alongside a wireless smartphone charging cradle.
The performance-oriented feel is enhanced by the AMG Line interior and AMG Line Sports Seat Package, trimmed in ARTICO man-made nappa-look leather and MICROCUT microfibre upholstery.
Driver interaction is centred around a new nappa leather-wrapped multi-function sports steering wheel featuring seamless, capacitive switch panels on both the left and right spokes. Tactile aids surrounding the symbols are now included to assist with orientation without requiring direct viewing, while the layout itself has been simplified. The right panel discards several controls to focus primarily on an enlarged finger navigation pad for the driver display.
Panoramic roof
The laminated safety glass of the large panoramic roof has heat-insulating characteristic to provide protection from the strong tropical sunshine. The exterior surface is coated with a 250-nanometre thin infrared film that reflects long-wave radiation, reducing potential glare.
A substantially thinner 200-nanometre Low-Emissivity coating on the interior side of the glass reduces the emissivity of the glass so heat does not enter the cabin. This eliminates the need for a roller blind, and the related mechanisms that would take up space.
MB.CHARGE Public Charging Integration
Also introduced during the launch of the CLA 250+ was MB.CHARGE Public which works with the Mercedes-Benz App and MBUX. In collaboration with 7 Charging Point Operators, MB.CHARGE Public makes available some 3,000 charging points in over 1,000 locations without additional subscriptions.
Every charging session is automatically billed through the MB.CHARGE Public backend, eliminating the need for manual payment inputs or separate third-party platform setups during road trips.
MB.CHARGE Public can be used throughout Malaysia and also in Singapore at the charging stations of CarputZap, Charge+, ChargeSini, chargEV, DC Handal, Gentari, and JomCharge. In Singapore, the charging stations accessible are those of Charge+, ComfortDelGro Energy, SP Group, and Volt. Globally, MB.CHARGE Public is one of the largest public charging networks, with access to more than 3 million charging points in over 35 countries.
“Bringing MB.CHARGE Public to Malaysia marks the next chapter in Mercedes-Benz Malaysia’s electric mobility journey. The strength of this offering lies in the ecosystem behind it, bringing together our vehicles, the Mercedes-Benz App, and an expanding network of Charging Point Operator partners,” said Nadia Trimmel, Chief Operating Officer of Mercedes-Benz Cars Malaysia.
