Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has officially previewed the 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA, revealing the model as a fully electric vehicle and the first EV to wear the CLA badge. The actual market launch is scheduled for the second quarter of 2026.
Built from the ground up as an EV, the new CLA rides on the Mercedes-Benz Modular Architecture (MMA). Mercedes-Benz offers the model in multiple variants globally, but Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has confirmed that it will sell only the CLA 250+ locally, simplifying the line-up at launch.
The CLA 250+ uses a single rear-mounted electric motor producing 272 PS and 335 Nm of torque. This allows the compact four-door coupe to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.7 seconds, with a top speed capped at 210 km/h, positioning it firmly in premium EV territory.
Energy comes from an 85 kWh nett nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) battery, which delivers a claimed WLTP driving range of up to 792 km. Mercedes-Benz attributes the strong range figure partly to its second-generation Electric Drive Unit (EDU 2.0), which incorporates a two-speed transmission to improve efficiency at higher speeds.
Charging performance is another key highlight, with DC fast charging rated at up to 320 kW. Under optimal conditions, the system adds up to 325 km of driving range in just 10 minutes, although the CLA relies on 800V DC charging infrastructure. AC charging, meanwhile, caps out at 11 kW.
In terms of size, the 2026 CLA measures 4,723 mm long and 1,855 mm wide, with a 2,790 mm wheelbase. Boot capacity stands at 405 litres, complemented by a 101-litre frunk up front, adding practicality to the sleek four-door silhouette.
Visually, the CLA introduces several distinctive design cues, including a 142-element individually animated LED chrome-effect grille and full-width light bars at both ends. Flush pop-out door handles and a one-piece fixed glass roof, which stretches from the windscreen frame to the rear without a central brace.
Inside, the new MBUX Superscreen dominates the cabin and spans the entire width of the dashboard. It combines a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster with two 14-inch touchscreens, including a dedicated display for the front passenger.
The infotainment system runs on Mercedes-Benz’s new AI-enhanced MB.OS platform, connected to the Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Cloud. It also features the MBUX Virtual Assistant, which integrates ChatGPT and Microsoft Bing for general queries, alongside Google Gemini for navigation-related functions.
Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has indicated an estimated price of RM295,888 for the 2026 CLA, with the brand set to confirm the final figure closer to its official launch in the second quarter. Customers can register their interest via the automaker’s website, as well as have a closer look at the preview unit at Stars@Mercedes Benz Bangsar (formerly known as NZ Wheels Bangsar).
(Source: Mercedes-Benz Malaysia press release)
