Mercedes-Benz CLE coupe, cabriolet revealed

Mercedes-Benz has taken the wraps off the all-new CLE class in both coupe and cabriolet body styles. The new CLE is part of the carmaker's efforts to consolidate its traditional internal combustion engined range as it ramps up investment in new all-electric models.

1. New CLE shares underpinnings with C- and E-Class
2. Gets multiple engine options
3. CLE Coupe will go on sale overseas first

Mercedes-Benz CLE exterior and interior

From every angle, the CLE looks typically Mercedes, borrowing styling cues from the outgoing E-Class coupe and cabriolet. It gets a large grille with a shark nose effect, a long bonnet, a heavily curved roof with a curvaceous C-pillar treatment, and a steeply angled rear window that merges neatly into a sloping boot lid and a tapered rear end. The CLE is longer than its direct rival, the BMW 4 Series coupe, and also has more length than the outgoing C- and E-Class coupes.

The interior is largely inspired by the latest C-Class.

Inside, the new Mercedes-Benz CLE adopts a 2+2 layout; newly developed front seats have integrated headrests, heating and four-way lumbar support as standard. The dashboard design – with 12.3-inch instrument and 11.9-inch portrait-style infotainment displays – is heavily based on what's found in the latest C-Class. There's significantly more room inside than with the C-Class coupé, particularly in the rear. Boot space is rated at 420 litres – around 20 litres less than the 4 Series coupe.

Mercedes-Benz CLE engine options 

The line-up at introduction consists of four models with a combination of longitudinally mounted four- and six-cylinder petrol and diesel engines, and either rear- or four-wheel drive. The rear-wheel-drive CLE 200d kicks off the range with a turbocharged 2.0-litre, four-cylinder diesel engine developing 197hp and 440Nm. It is joined by the rear-wheel-drive CLE 200, whose turbocharged 2.0-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine delivers 204hp and 320Nm.

This same engine is used in the four-wheel-drive CLE 300 4Matic, producing 258hp and 400Nm. Topping the standard line-up is the four-wheel-drive CLE 450 4Matic, with a turbocharged 3.0-litre six-cylinder petrol engine making 380hp and 500Nm. Mercedes claims a 0-100kph time of 4.4 seconds and a top-speed of 250kph for this range topping version. 

The powertrain line-up comprises a range of electrified petrol and diesel engines.

Each engine receives 48V mild-hybrid properties, with a gearbox-mounted electric motor providing an additional 23hp and 200Nm for short periods under acceleration. All models come standard with a 7-speed torque-converter automatic gearbox. Alongside the CLE 300 4Matic and CLE 450 4Matic, the CLE 200 can also be ordered with 4Matic four-wheel drive.

Mercedes-Benz CLE underpinnings

The CLE is based on the MRA platform and shares its underpinnings not just with the current-gen C-Class but also with the recently unveiled E-Class (India-bound next year). It is therefore one of Mercedes-Benz's last dedicated ICE models.

Underneath, the CLE receives a steel suspension featuring a double-wishbone design at the front and multi-links at the rear. It is based heavily on that used by the C-Class, but with a 15mm reduction in ride height.

The convertible version of the CLE will go on sale globally later this year.

Mercedes' AMG performance car division also plans at least two high-powered versions of the CLE, details of which have yet to be made official. The CLE will initially be sold in coupe form only, but Mercedes also plans to launch the CLE convertible with an automatic multi-layered fabric hood later this year.

There is no news of the CLE coming to India anytime soon, however, we expect Mercedes-Benz to bring it to India in the future.