Pre-Booking opens for Mercedes-Benz CLA 250+ in Malaysia, starts from RM295,888

KUALA LUMPUR: Mercedes-Benz Malaysia is putting the spotlight on its next-gen CLA this week, with a public preview happening at Stars@Mercedes-Benz Bangsar from 15 to 18 January 2026, 10am to 7pm.

It’s a static preview rather than a full launch, but it’s also the first time the new electric CLA, which is also the World Car of the Year 2026 is being shown here in the metal, and it comes with order books now open.

Also Read: Mercedes-Benz CLA EV Malaysia preview set for Jan 15, here’s what the C178 specs might look like

The car being offered for Malaysia is the Mercedes-Benz CLA 250+ with EQ Technology, with an estimated price from RM295,888 (on-the-road, without insurance) for Peninsular Malaysia. Mercedes-Benz Malaysia also notes the price is an estimate at this stage, so treat it as a booking headline rather than a final sticker.

One more practical note for anyone planning to go, the official RSVP page shows online slots are closed, but Mercedes-Benz says walk-ins are still welcome.

The Malaysia car, CLA 250+, the key numbers people actually care about

For the CLA 250+ itself, the specs being associated with the Malaysian preview line up with what’s been published for the model internationally. You’re looking at a single-motor, rear-wheel drive setup, rated at 272 PS (200 kW) and 335 Nm, with 0–100 km/h in 6.7 seconds and a 210 km/h top speed.

Battery-wise, the CLA 250+ uses an 85 kWh (net) NMC battery, and Mercedes is quoting up to 792 km WLTP range for this variant, plus energy consumption as low as 12.2 kWh/100 km on the WLTP cycle.

WLTP is still a lab test, real-world range will move around depending on speed, traffic, wheels, temperature, and how heavy your right foot is, but the headline number is undeniably attention-grabbing for a compact-ish premium EV.

Charging is where this CLA is trying to flex. It’s built around an 800-volt architecture and supports DC fast charging up to 320 kW, with Mercedes claiming up to 325 km of range added in 10 minutes under the right conditions.

On AC, the figure being pushed for this preview is 11 kW, which is fine for overnight charging, but not the part you’ll be bragging about at the mamak.

Mercedes-Benz is using this CLA to introduce its new software foundation, MB.OS (Mercedes-Benz Operating System), and it’s positioning the car as its most “intelligent” model yet. The pitch is that MB.OS is built around “supercomputers” connected to Mercedes’ cloud, enabling over-the-air updates for core functions, including driver assistance systems.

The headline cabin party trick is the new MBUX Virtual Assistant, which Mercedes says can handle multi-step conversations and keep short-term context.

The company also name-drops its AI partners here, describing general knowledge queries running through ChatGPT and Microsoft Bing search, while navigation-focused questions lean on Google Gemini and Google Maps-based information. Whether you find that genuinely useful or just another layer of “please stop talking and let me drive” depends on how you use voice assistants in real life.

Design and practicality, it’s not just screens and range numbers

Mercedes is also making a big deal out of the styling details, especially the illuminated front treatment. The electric CLA gets a reworked “A-shape” face with a lit star panel made up of 142 animated LED stars, plus a full-width lighting look front and rear.

Inside, Mercedes highlights the big glass roof and extra storage. This CLA has a 101-litre frunk up front and 405 litres for the rear boot. So yes, it finally has a proper front storage space, and no, the rear boot figure is not class-leading, it’s just… workable, especially once you remember there’s a frunk now.

What Mercedes-Benz Malaysia is saying

“Malaysia remains a key market for Mercedes-Benz, supported by a strong and loyal customer base and a strategic role within the Asia-Pacific region. As our brand commemorates 140 years since the invention of the automobile, we continue to build on our heritage while shaping the future with more product introductions this year. From new electric models to updates across the top-end and performance portfolio, the all-new CLA stands as a clear reflection of the direction Mercedes-Benz is taking — combining innovation, design, and everyday usability.”
Jens Kunath, Vice President Sales & Financial Services, Mercedes-Benz Cars, MBAG

“Today’s preview of the all-new electric CLA marks one of the most exciting moments for Mercedes-Benz Malaysia. It is our most intelligent vehicle and the first of a new generation designed around our customers’ expectations for performance, technology, and design. We are delighted to have accelerated its arrival so our customers can experience this remarkable car up close, and to share this milestone as we celebrate new beginnings into the New Year and Chinese New Year.”
Amanda Zhang, CEO & President of Mercedes-Benz Malaysia

“The introduction of the all-new electric CLA is not just about a new model but about offering customers a more immersive and personalised way to engage with our brand. This exclusive preview at Stars@Mercedes-Benz Bangsar allows us to bring these innovations closer to our customers and showcase how our brand is shaping the future of luxury mobility in Malaysia.”
Nadia Trimmel, Vice President, Marketing & Sales, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia

Loyalty programme tease, 100,000 km Club

Alongside the CLA preview, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia is also teasing a customer loyalty push, including an upcoming “100,000 km Club” programme that it says will come with privileges and experiences for owners who hit the mileage milestone.

No hard details yet, but it’s clearly part of the brand’s broader “keep customers in the ecosystem” strategy as it rolls out more new-gen products.

Also Read: Mercedes-Benz Malaysia wraps up 2025 with portfolio expansion, EV charging push, and more customer programmes