2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 EQ Plus Manufaktur C118
By Lorenzo Bianchi December 18, 2025
The CLA 250 EQ Plus uses a new 48-volt hybrid drivetrain focused on smooth electric assistance rather than outright performance.
Manufaktur specification emphasizes surface quality, materials, and restraint instead of visual aggression.
MB.OS and the latest MBUX define the CLA as one of Mercedes-Benz’s most software-centric vehicles to date.
The vehicle's dimensions and design
The 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 EQ Plus Manufaktur C118 appears to maintain the coupe-like shape that has characterized the CLA since its launch. Short overhangs keep the car looking small, and the roofline stays low and continuous, gently tapering into the back deck. The controlled appearance of the surface is what makes the press photos stand out.
Body panels are calmer, with fewer creases interrupting the light. The star-pattern grille and continuous light bands front and rear tie the CLA visually to Mercedes-Benz’s wider electrified portfolio without overstating the connection.
Wheel designs appear deliberately understated, favoring clean geometry over aggressive detailing. In Manufaktur specification, the exterior reads as considered rather than expressive. It looks designed to age quietly, not to chase attention.
Performance and Powertrain Overview
The CLA 250 EQ Plus is built around Mercedes-Benz’s new 48-volt hybrid architecture. A 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine is paired with an electrified eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, integrating an electric motor directly into the gearbox. In low-load urban driving, the system allows short periods of electric-only movement. At higher speeds, the drivetrain can decouple the combustion engine entirely, enabling what Mercedes-Benz describes as electric gliding.
Recuperation operates across all gears, feeding energy back into a compact lithium-ion battery. The intent here is refinement. Power delivery is designed to feel seamless, with transitions between electric and combustion operation occurring with minimal driver awareness. Performance figures are secondary to smoothness and efficiency, by design.
Key Features and Interior Impression
Inside, the CLA 250 EQ Plus Manufaktur presents a cabin shaped as much by software as by materials. A fixed panoramic glass roof dominates the upper structure, giving the interior a lighter, more open feel. The optional MBUX Superscreen stretches across the dashboard behind a single glass surface, combining driver, central, and passenger displays into one visual plane.
Mercedes-Benz’s MB.OS operating system underpins the experience. Over-the-air updates extend beyond infotainment to core vehicle systems. The latest MBUX integrates artificial intelligence from Microsoft and Google, allowing more contextual voice interaction and adaptive navigation built on Google Maps. In terms of perceived refinement, the CLA is now closer to larger Mercedes-Benz cars thanks to extra foams and a double-bulkhead layout that address noise insulation.
Positioning in the Context of the Market and Segment
In a market that is increasingly divided between fully battery-electric vehicles and conventional combustion choices, the CLA 250 EQ Plus Manufaktur occupies a deliberate middle ground. It serves people who want electrified efficiency and advanced digital technologies without fully committing to an EV. Compared to rivals who place more emphasis on sport or sheer power, the CLA places a higher priority on software intelligence, design clarity, and everyday use. The Manufaktur symbol reinforces the car's positioning as a smart, long-term solution rather than a temporary statement.