MBM Teases Third-Gen Mercedes CLA EV, Debuts Locally This Month

Official teaser for the new Mercedes-Benz CLA with EQ Technology by MBM posted on its official FB page earlier this week.

With online registration of interest (ROI) for it opened back in Aug 2026, it looks like the new third-generation Mercedes-Benz CLA – specifically in all-electric (EV) form – is now a step closer to making landfall in Malaysia.

Yesterday, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) took to its official Facebook page with a new teaser for said model, which is officially called the Mercedes-Benz CLA with EQ Technology (chassis code: C178). 

Through the same teaser, MBM confirmed that it will publicly debut and showcase the sleek new compact EV saloon at the new Stars@Mercedes-Benz Bangsar outlet – formerly known as the NZ Wheels Bangsar outlet – this month from Jan 15 to Jan 18.

Naturally, no specification details were dished out by the firm. However, we’ll remind you that the new-gen CLA EV underpins a brand-new Mercedes-Benz Modular Architecture (MMA) platform boasting an 800-volt electrical architecture.

Globally, the CLA EV sees two variants available - single-motor CLA250+ and dual-motor CLA350.

Globally, the CLA EV model’s variant line-up consists of two variants – the single-motor CLA250+ and dual-motor CLA350. We’ll likely see the former, which outputs 272 PS and 335 Nm from a single rear-mounted e-motor.

Juiced by an 85 kWh NMC-type battery pack, the CLA250+ promises 0-100 km/h dashes in just 6.7 secs. The CLA350 ups the ante with 354 PS and 515 Nm instead that enabled a quicker century sprint time of 4.9 secs instead.

Underpinning the 800-volt MMA platform, the new CLA EV employs packs an 85 kWH NMC-type battery pack yielding a max range of up to 792 KM plus the ability to draw in 320 kW DC fast-charging inputs.

As for claimed WLTP-rated max range, the CLA250+ can cover between 694 KM and 792 KM, whereas the CLA350 covers slightly lower between 672 Km and 771 KM. Besides that, there’s the shared ability to draw in DC fast charging up to 320 kW too.

At this stage, the only details left pending are price and if the model will be locally built (CKD) or not. Speculations of the latter are rife, more so considering that MBM already has an EV model built at its plant in Pekan, Pahang – the EQS flagship EV saloon.

We'll also point out the third-gen CLA EV is available in long-roofed estate - or 'shooting brake' - form too, but the likelihood MBM would offer this variant appears slim.

Critically, should this new electric CLA model become a CKD offering, it could potentially carry a competitive price tag as opposed to it being introduced as a fully imported (CBU) offering.

We’ll have more details once we size up the new Mercedes-Benz CLA with EQ Technology at its preview event next week.