2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250+ previewed in Malaysia – C174 EV, 792 km vary, 320 kW charging, RM296k

The brand new 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA made its Malaysian debut this morning on the new Stars@Mercedes-Benz Bangsar showroom, beforehand often known as NZ Wheels Bangsar.

It is a preview of the brand new CLA, which coincides with the opening of order books – the estimated worth is RM295,888 on-the-road with out insurance coverage for the only real CLA 250+ with EQ Expertise variant. Notice that this EV is imported from Germany and duty-free incentives for CBU EVs ended together with the 12 months 2025.

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) continues to be ready for last affirmation of the precise responsibility charges for CBU EVs and the RRP may change as soon as the federal government provides an replace, however this estimated worth is legitimate for many who e book now. The launch will occur within the second quarter of 2026.

Sure, the CLA is now an EV. This third-generation mannequin, codenamed C174, debuted in March 2025 as was designed from the bottom as much as be an EV. Constructed on the brand new Mercedes-Benz Modular Structure (MMA), it has an 800V electrical structure that enables for DC quick charging at as much as 320 kW.

The brand new CLA was introduced with two absolutely electrical variants (C174 code for EVs, C178 for ICE) – the CLA 250+ with a 272 PS/335 Nm single rear motor, and a CLA 350 that provides a 109 PS entrance motor for a mixed output of 354 PS and 515 Nm. Malaysia will get the CLA 250+, which is nice for 0-100 km/h in 6.7 seconds and a high pace of 210 km/h.

Powering the EV is an 85 kWh (nett) nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) battery, which supplies WLTP vary of 792 km for the CLA 250+. M-B says that the spectacular vary is boosted by the second-generation Electrical Drive Unit (EDU 2.0) with a two-speed transmission.

The 2-speed ‘field presents a greater steadiness of energy and effectivity throughout a variety of speeds, Stuttgart claims. The primary gear is optimised for fast off-the-line acceleration and low-speed effectivity, whereas the second ratio is used for environment friendly freeway cruising, permitting the motor to run at a decrease rpm. Claimed effectivity is excellent at 12.2 kWh per 100 km.

As talked about, the max DC charging price is a powerful 320 kW, which permits for 325 km of additional vary to be added in simply 10 minutes of charging – freeway pit stops will likely be very fast. AC charging maxes out at simply 11 kW, although. Notice that whereas the CLA is just suitable with 800V DC chargers, MBM claims that it’s probably not an enormous problem in Malaysia the place most of our DC chargers are comparatively new and suitable with 800V structure.

The brand new CLA’s drag could be very low at 0.21 Cd, which is Hyundai Ioniq 6 ranges with out showing that excessive, or odd just like the EQE and EQS. At 4,723 mm lengthy and 1,855 mm broad, the brand new CLA is 35 mm longer and 25 mm wider than its predecessor, whereas the two,790 mm wheelbase is 61 mm longer than the second-gen C118’s. In comparison with the unique CLA that Malaysians are extra acquainted with, this can be a a lot bigger automobile.

Boot quantity is 405 litres, 55L lower than earlier than, however there’s a frunk and it’s a reasonably sizeable one too at 101 litres. This cavity is crammed by an engine within the hybrid model.

For context, the CLA is about the identical size as a Tesla Mannequin 3, however the latter’s wheelbase is 85 mm longer – you’ll be able to see the distinction within the Merc’s overhangs. The Tesla can be wider and has a 28 mm decrease roofline, so it would seem sleeker in form. Mercedes-Benz says that the CLA has advanced past the compact class, so right here’s one other reference level – the CLA is simply 28 mm shorter than the W206 C-Class, and the EV is definitely 35 mm wider. The C’s wheelbase is 75 mm longer.

The CLA is method flashier than all the above. You gained’t miss the 142 individually-animated LED chrome-effect three-pointed stars within the grille, and you can even discover the well-known emblem within the LED lights at each ends. Talking of that, the CLA has full-width lights on the entrance and ‘highly effective GT rear’, as you’d anticipate from an EV in 2026. After all, flush pop-out door handles too.

The inside spotlight is the MBUX Superscreen with three shows that span the width of the dashboard – the wall of screens features a 10.25-inch digital instrument show and two 14-inch touchscreens, together with one only for the entrance passenger. All passengers get to benefit from the one-piece fastened glass roof, which has no central brace and extends seamlessly from the windscreen body to the rear.

The brand new MB.OS working system is ‘enhanced by AI’ and related to the Mercedes-Benz Clever Cloud. The MBUX Digital Assistant makes use of ChatGPT and Microsoft Bing searches for basic enquiries, switching to Google’s Gemini for navigation-related questions.

Mercedes says that the system can retain context even when leaping between the 2 AI fashions, so conversations can proceed uninterrupted, and through an lively dialogue, it recognises feelings and might reply accordingly. The assistant is represented on display by an avatar within the type of a three-pointed star, in fact.

Anyway, the preview unit you see here’s a Singapore-spec automobile that’s wrapped in crimson – whereas this isn’t absolutely consultant of what Malaysia will likely be getting (we’ll have Multibeam headlights with star DRLs and totally different wheels, as an illustration), it’s kind of related.

We will’t consider many premium-badged compact EVs within the RM300k ballpark, however there’s the BMW i4 eDrive35 M Sport. The EV from Munich is way bigger, however the Mercedes – simply topped the 2026 European Automobile of the 12 months – is a brand new mannequin with a lot better EV tech and specs. What do you consider the brand new CLA?

GALLERY: C174 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250+ Malaysia preview

GALLERY: C174 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250+ Malaysia preview, official pics

GALLERY: C174 Mercedes-Benz CLA official photos

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