Just a few weeks after BMW launched its first Neue Klasse model in Malaysia, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) has responded by launching its first-ever next-gen EV model, the 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA with EQ Technology.
Arriving in a single CLA250+ AMG Line guise, the new model is the first time a CLA has been offered with an all-electric powertrain, priced at RM274,888 on-the-road sans insurance for a fully imported (CBU) unit from Germany.
Included with the listed price is the standard 4-year unlimited mileage vehicle warranty and a separate 8-year or 160,000 km battery warranty. Not to forget, the first 100 buyers of the new CLA250+ will be getting access to the Mercedes-AMG F1 party set to be held in Kuala Lumpur ahead of the 2026 Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia.
First All-Electric CLA
Being the first all-electric model to don the CLA nameplate, the new CLA250+ is built on the new Mercedes-Benz Modular Architecture (MMA) with an 800-volt battery architecture that enables it to support up to 320 kW of DC fast charging.
For the CLA250+ variant in particular, it features a single, rear-mounted (RWD) electric motor packing 272 PS (200 kW) and 335 Nm of torque, which is then paired with a two-speed transmission that Mercedes says helps with the car’s energy efficiency, even when driving at higher speeds.
This setup is good enough to propel the CLA250+ from 0 to 100 km/h in just 6.7 seconds before hitting the limiter at 210 km/h. Besides driving the car forward rapidly, said electric motor is also part of the car’s impressive regenerative braking system, which Merc claims can recuperate up to 200 kW, plus enough deceleration force to cover almost every braking need.
What’s more impressive is the battery, where the CLA250+’s large 85-kWh NMC battery pack can provide up to 792 km of WLTP range—making it one of the longest-ranged EVs currently on sale in Malaysia, with the newly-launched BMW iX3 Neue Klasse edging it ahead at 805 km.
As mentioned earlier, this car can support up to 320 kW of DC charging that can charge it from 10% to 80% in just 22 minutes. AC charging, however, is capped at 11 kW, so a full charge takes roughly nine hours for this four-door EV saloon.
Boldest CLA Ever
If there’s one way to describe the new CLA EV, it is to call it the boldest car ever to carry the CLA nameplate, as this next-gen four-door coupe features a series of new and radical design bits.
Arriving with the AMG Line trim as standard, the CLA250+ houses a bold front face featuring full-width headlights, a fully illuminated “star map” front grille, and Multibeam LED headlights with the same starry motif for its lighting signature.
The same goes for its derriere, where it rocks a full-width LED taillight bar with the same starry motif as the headlights, while the AMG Line package adds a sportier bodykit, as well as the new 19-inch AMG five-twin-spoke alloy wheels.
Despite these bold additions, the new CLA retains its signature four-door coupe silhouette, and combined with its shrouded underbody, this sleek profile enables the car to achieve a sublime drag coefficient as low as 0.21 Cd.
Dimension-wise, the new CLA also had a slight growth spurt over its predecessor. Measuring 4,723 mm long, 1,855 mm wide, and 1,468 mm tall with a wheelbase of 2,790 mm, the third-gen model is 35 mm longer, 25 mm wider, and 29 mm taller than the old, second-gen (C118) model.
Screen-Laden Cabin
Following in the footsteps of fellow new Merc models, the CLA250+ also gets a screen-laden cabin setup, thanks to the MBUX Superscreen triple-display setup that the car comes with.
Powered by the latest MB.OS software, the MBUX Superscreen comprises a 10.25-inch digital instrument display and twin 14-inch touchscreens, including one for the passenger. These screens now support the MBUX Virtual Assistant that lends help from several AI agents for general inquiries and built-in navigation support.
The AMG Line pack also grants the cabin some sporty additions, including the new flat-bottomed steering wheel wrapped in Nappa leather, power-adjustable sports seats wrapped in black Artico faux leather and Dinamica microfibre, AMG floor mats, and alloy pedals, to name a few.
Other key amenities primed here include dual-zone climate control, 64-colour ambient lights, a panoramic glass roof, a Qi wireless charger, eight speakers, a 405-litre boot space, and a 101-litre frunk—first-time offered in any Mercedes EV.
MB.Charge Public Launched
To go with the new CLA250+ launch, MBM has also debuted its new dedicated vehicle charging platform called MB.Charge Public, enabling Mercedes-Benz owners to pay for and start charging directly through either the car or the Mercedes-Benz app.
For its initial rollout, MBM has partnered with several key local charging operators (CPOs) such as JomCharge, ChargEV, Gentari, and DC Handal with over 3,000 chargers at over 1,000 locations nationwide.
