New Mercedes-Benz CLA With EQ Technology ROI Opens Online – Launch Soon? CKD?

The new third-gen Mercedes-Benz CLA (chassis code: C178) is set to enter Malaysia soon if the new ROI page MBM established online is anything to go by.

Here’s a pleasant surprise, and one that’s coming much earlier than expected. Revealed globally back in March this year, the new third-generation Mercedes-Benz CLA (chassis code: C178) looks set to make landfall locally, and soon too.

Earlier today, Carz.com.my was alerted that Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) updated its official webpage. A quick check revealed that the automaker has quietly added a registration of interest (ROI) page for the new CLA model mentioned.

MBM just added a new ROI page online for the new Mercedes-Benz CLA with EQ Technology on its website.

With the current combustion (ICE)-powered V177-gen A-Class Sedan range seemingly set to see production extended to 2028 at least, the new third-gen CLA is set to enter Malaysia in electric vehicle (EV) form first – known as the CLA with EQ Technology.

The ROI page mentioned doesn’t see any variants or specifications listed, though we’ll point out that the electric CLA has two variants available globally – single-motor CLA250+ with 272 PS and 335 NM outputs, and a dual-motor CLA350 offering 354 PS and 515 NM.

The CLA with EQ Technology underpins an 800-volt base, with both single- and dual-motor options available, both sharing an sizeable 85 kWh NMC battery pack too.

Both share an NMC-type battery pack with an 85 kWh capacity promising up to 792 KM (CLA250+) and 771 KM (CLA350) range. Primed within an 800-volt architecture, said pack also accepts both 11 kW AC and up to 320 kW DC charging inputs.

As detailed, the new and all-electric third-gen CLA can be primed with ta trick new MBUX Superscreen tri-screen setup. Spanning the entire dash, the setup is comprised of a 10.25-inch digital instrument panel plus a pair of 14-inch infotainment touchscreens.

The MBUX Superscreen brings three digital screens primed across the entire dash, and the infotainment half boasts AI-powered functions too.

Running on the new MB.OS operating system, the latter infotainment interfaces boasts the MBUX Virtual Assistant that uses two AI (Artificial Intelligence) models – searches and enquiries using Chat GPT and Microsoft Bing, and Google Gemini for navigation.

For now, it remains to be seen if said high-tech features will be offered in the Malaysia-bound CLA with EQ Technology noted. Critically, given the planned discontinuation of the government’s fully-imported (CBU) EV incentive, it’s unclear too when it will arrive.

It's unclear when the new CLA with EQ Technology will arrive, and we won't discount the possibility of MBM localising (CKD) this sleek new EV offering.

With the latter though, we won’t rule out MBM fast-tracking efforts to localise (CKD) the new-gen CLA EV at its assembly plant in Pekan, Pahang as how it did with the EQS flagship EV limousine. However, don’t take our word on this just yet.

In the meantime, if you’re keen on the sleek new CLA with EQ Technology, you can register your interest for it online. Whilst you’re at it, let us know your thoughts of the three-point star’s latest and greatest EV yet in the comments below…