This all-new tailpipe-less version of the CLA is currently expected to land locally with an estimated price of RM 295,888.
Just a short while after its international debut early last year, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has now since previewed its all-new all-electric CLA locally. This first appearance of the tailpipe-less baby Benz comes ahead of its expected local launch in the second quarter of this year, with the headline news being that the sole variant slated for Malaysia — the CLA 250+ with EQ Technology — is expected to carry an estimated price of RM 295,888.
And what makes this pricing particularly noteworthy is that, at this level, buyers are still getting a fully imported EV from Germany. That said, the quoted figure remains subject to government approval, though Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has hinted that this estimated price will be honoured for customers who place their bookings early.
Now turning towards the car itself meanwhile, this third-generation CLA is the first Mercedes-Benz model to ride on the brand’s new Mercedes-Benz Modular Architecture (MMA). In CLA 250+ form, it features a single rear-mounted electric motor producing 272 PS and 335 Nm of torque, paired with a two-speed transmission. This setup enables a 0–100 km/h sprint in a reasonably spritely 6.7 seconds, along with a top speed of 210 km/h.
While those figures are respectable, the bigger talking point lies in efficiency rather than outright performance. Mercedes-Benz is claiming energy consumption figures as low as 12.2 kWh/100 km, which allows the CLA’s 85 kWh nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) battery to deliver a WLTP-rated driving range of up to 792 km. For context, this comfortably edges out the Tesla Model 3 Long Range, which is rated at 750 km.
Supporting this long-legged range is an equally impressive charging setup. Thanks to its 800 V electrical architecture, the all-electric CLA supports DC fast charging at up to 320 kW, enabling up to 325 km of range to be added in just 10 minutes when plugged into a compatible charger. AC charging though is nevertheless capped at a rather average 11 kW.
This combination of efficiency and rapid charging is further aided by the CLA’s slippery aerodynamics, with a claimed drag coefficient of just 0.21 Cd. All this comes despite its increased footprint, as the new CLA measures 4,723 mm in length and 1,855 mm in width, making it 35 mm longer and 25 mm wider than its predecessor. In fact, it now sits close in size to the current C-Class.
As for a quick word on its design, the modern Mercedes-Benz aesthetic (read: blinged up the wazoo) is fully on display with the new CLA. A full-width light strip up front is paired with a closed-off grille featuring 142 individually animated LED chrome-effect three-pointed stars, while the signature three-pointed star motif is also integrated into the LED lighting elements at both ends.
Finally moving along within, the CLA’s cabin is dominated by the new MBUX Superscreen, which spans the width of the dashboard and comprises a 10.25-inch digital instrument display alongside two 14-inch touchscreens, including one dedicated to the front passenger. All displays run on the new MB.OS operating system, which Mercedes-Benz says is enhanced by AI and connected to the Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Cloud.
Other confirmed highlights include a full-length panoramic glass roof, though the complete local specification list is only set to be revealed closer to the all-electric CLA’s official Malaysian launch.
