Akmal Azhar
The 2025 Mercedes-Benz CLA has quietly made its way onto the official Mercedes-Benz Malaysia website, signaling that registrations of interest are now open for the upcoming third-generation C178 battery-electric model. This marks a pivotal shift for the CLA line, as it becomes the first to ride on Mercedes-Benz’s cutting-edge Modular Architecture (MMA), which supports a robust 800-volt electrical system capable of DC fast charging up to 320 kW.
Powertrain and Performance Options
While the Malaysian site doesn’t yet detail specific variants or technical specs, the global debut has already revealed two configurations. The entry-level CLA250+ sports a single rear-mounted motor delivering 272 PS and 335 Nm, enabling a 0–100 km/h sprint in 6.7 seconds and a top speed of 210 km/h. Its more powerful counterpart, the CLA350, adds a 109 PS front motor for an all-wheel-drive setup that produces a combined 354 PS and 515 Nm, slashing the century sprint to 4.9 seconds.
Battery Capacity and Range
Efficiency and range are standout features. Equipped with an 85 kWh (nett) nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) battery, the CLA250+ achieves a remarkable 694 to 792 km range, while the CLA350 offers 672 to 771 km, thanks to the intelligent EDU 2.0 (Electric Drive Unit) with a two-speed transmission, and the ability to disconnect the front motor to preserve energy. Impressively, a brief 10-minute charge via the 800-volt system can deliver an additional 325 km, though AC charging is constrained to 11 kW. A planned software update will activate bi-directional charging capabilities.
Interior and Infotainment Technology
Step inside, and the CLA continues to impress. It can be specified with the MBUX Superscreen, a sleek digital interface comprising a 10.25-inch driver’s display flanked by twin 14-inch touchscreens, spanning the dashboard in one seamless panel. This system is powered by the advanced MB.OS, which incorporates dual AI models: ChatGPT and Microsoft Bing for general queries, and Google’s Gemini for navigation-specific questions.
Local Availability in Malaysia
Although full technical and pricing details for the Malaysian version remain under wraps, the mere appearance of the CLA on the official site signals that it’s headed to local shores. Enthusiasts and prospective buyers alike can now go to the Mercedes-Benz Malaysia page to register their interest in what promises to be a compelling, tech-forward arrival.
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