Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has unveiled the all-new electric Mercedes-Benz CLA in an exclusive preview event, marking a significant milestone in the luxury automaker’s transition to electric mobility and intelligent automotive technology.

The highly anticipated vehicle was displayed from 15 to 18 January 2026 at the newly launched Stars@Mercedes-Benz Bangsar showroom, offering customers an early opportunity to experience what the company positions as its next chapter in performance, design, and technology.

The launch arrives at a symbolic moment for the German automaker. In 2026, Mercedes-Benz marks 140 years since the 1886 patent of the first gasoline-powered automobile. Over more than a century, the brand has continuously shaped mobility through engineering excellence, iconic design, attention to detail, and customer experience.

This legacy now enters a new era with the all-new CLA. According to the company, the vehicle offers customers more in every dimension compared to its predecessor: more space, more refinement, more comfort, more intelligence, and more efficiency. It marks the beginning of a new product rollout and demonstrates how the brand is advancing electric mobility, digital intelligence, and design for the next generation.

A key differentiator of the all-new CLA is its position as the first vehicle to fully operate on the in-house developed Mercedes-Benz Operating System (MB.OS), making it what the company calls “the most intelligent Mercedes-Benz ever.”

The new AI-enhanced system equips every vehicle with supercomputers connected to the Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Cloud. This architecture enables regular over-the-air updates for the most important vehicle functions, including driving assistance systems for the first time. According to Mercedes-Benz, this capability keeps the all-new CLA up-to-date and attractive for years to come.

Central to this intelligence is the reimagined MBUX Virtual Assistant, which utilises generative AI to revolutionise the relationship between vehicle and driver. The system enables complex, multi-turn dialogues similar to conversations with a friend, and features short-term memory capabilities.

Based on ChatGPT-4o and searches with Microsoft Bing, the virtual assistant unites what the company describes as the collective knowledge of the internet. Additionally, through Google Gemini integration, the virtual assistant is well-versed in navigation-related questions, accessing information from the Google Maps platform to provide users with detailed and personalised answers about navigation, points of interest, and more.

The MBUX Virtual Assistant maintains a constant presence on the Zero Layer as a “living” avatar in the form of the Mercedes-Benz star. During active dialogue, it can recognise emotions and respond accordingly, adding a new dimension to the human-machine interface.

With its remarkable efficiency credentials, Mercedes-Benz positions the all-new electric CLA as “the ‘one-litre car’ for the electric age,” taking electric mobility in everyday life to a new level.

The vehicle achieves consumption as low as 12.2 kWh/100 km and delivers a range of up to 792 km according to WLTP standards. These figures represent a significant achievement in the segment, combining low energy consumption with practical long-distance capability.

The 800-volt electrical architecture can significantly reduce charging time when paired with the new battery generation. In practical terms, the all-new electric CLA can be recharged to a range of up to 325 kilometres within just ten minutes, addressing one of the key concerns among potential electric vehicle buyers.

The all-new electric CLA’s design represents what Mercedes-Benz describes as an exciting interplay of intelligence and emotion, redefining automotive desire. The vehicle features a long wheelbase, short overhangs, and a powerful GT rear that serves as an emotive expression of athletic power.

The car’s sporty proportions are enhanced by a low greenhouse, long bonnet with power domes, and large wheels. Muscular and athletic shoulders start at the front wheel arches and extend to the sculptural rear, while the clear design language emphasises sculpted surfaces with reduced lines and precise joints. The striking character lines on the flank create an interesting interplay of light and shade when viewed from the side.

A standout feature is the reinterpreted A-shape grille, redesigned for the electric age. The innovative seamless star panel is fully illuminated for the first time on a Mercedes-Benz production vehicle. A total of 142 individually animated LED chrome-effect stars create a distinctive brand signature that sets the vehicle apart.

The all-new CLA also features an expansive panoramic roof—a one-piece fixed glass roof with no central brace that extends seamlessly from the windscreen frame to the rear. This design provides what the company describes as a new interior experience with an almost unobstructed upward view.

Beyond aesthetics and technology, the all-new electric CLA introduces practical features that enhance everyday usability. It is the first modern Mercedes-Benz to incorporate a frunk, or front trunk, offering 101 litres of additional load space. At the rear, the vehicle provides a luggage compartment with a volume of 405 litres, ensuring adequate cargo capacity for various needs.

The all-new Mercedes-Benz CLA 250+ with EQ Technology is now available for pre-booking through the company’s website at http://www.mercedes-benz.com.my/cla-electric. The estimated price starts from RM295,888, including 10% sales tax, for Peninsular Malaysia. The stated price is on-the-road without insurance.

Beyond product innovation, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia emphasised its commitment to customer relationships that collectively span 140 years. The company announced that it will continue to strengthen these relationships through upcoming initiatives.

Among these is the planned 100,000 km Club, which will celebrate ownership journeys beyond the 100,000-kilometre milestone. Designed to recognise loyalty and trust, the programme will offer exclusive privileges and experiences, reinforcing the brand’s commitment to supporting customers at every stage of their journey for decades to come.

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Photo credits: Mercedes-Benz Malaysia