The new CLE : the essentials in brief

Shaped by desire: Mercedes-Benz is continuing its long tradition of sporty, elegant dream cars with a new, independent series. The new CLE Coupé uses the conceptual and technical innovations of the C-Class and E‑Class. With its expressive design, exclusive comfort equipment for maximum individuality and confident, sporty driving performance, the new two-door car goes its own way. The market launch of the CLE Coupé will start in Europe in November. The CLE Cabriolet will follow next year for open-air connoisseurs. With the new dream car series, Mercedes-Benz is fulfilling the wishes of many customers in the C-and E-Class segments.

Iconic design: Long wheelbase, a well-positioned and strongly inclined A-pillar, a short front and a slightly longer rear body overhang, as well as pronounced shoulders and large wheels. There has always been a special magic inherent in these proportions – and they are inextricably linked to the Mercedes-Benz brand. The new CLE Coupé combines these sporty, elegant proportions with the modern design language of Mercedes‑Benz. True to the Mercedes-Benz design philosophy of Sensual Purity, the result is a sculpture full of power and dynamism that embodies an emotional statement from every perspective.

Athletic appearance: The progressively forward-leaning front section (“shark nose”) with a low-slung bonnet, flat LED headlights with a unique design and the newly designed, three-dimensional radiator grille ensure an athletic yet extremely elegant appearance. The strongly contoured power domes on the long hood refer to the powerful engines with up to six cylinders. In the side view, a distinctive shaped edge structures the powerful volume. This character line runs from the headlight to the exterior mirror and from the rear light to the door handle. The muscular rear is characterised by flowing surfaces, smooth transitions and two-part LED lights with new contours and three-dimensional light bodies.

Plenty of space: At 4,850 millimetres long, 1,860 millimetres wide and 1,428 millimetres high, the new two-door is the largest coupé in the mid-size segment. With its dimensional concept – in particular the 25 millimetre longer wheelbase – the CLE Coupé offers significantly more space than the C-Class Coupé. The rear passengers in particular benefit from 10 millimetres more headroom, 19 millimetres more shoulder and elbow room and 72 millimetres more knee room. The trunk volume offers 60 litres more volume and can easily hold three golf bags.

Sporty luxury: Eye-catchers in the interior are the free-standing 12.3-inch, fully digital instrument display, the 11.9-inch, driver-oriented central display in user-friendly portrait format and the dynamic ambient lighting featuring 64 colours. If desired, it can extend from the centre console to beneath the outer air vents. In each of the doors, a strip of light runs along the contours of the armrest and beltline to the rear. Another highlight is the front seats in integral sport design, developed exclusively for the CLE. In conjunction with the optional Burmester® 3D surround sound system, they each have two loudspeakers at the level of the headrests and thus create a particularly individual and immersive music experience with Dolby Atmos and Spatial Audio close to the ears.

Specific EASY-ENTRY function: For the first time at Mercedes-Benz, the front seats are not unlocked using a lever, but instead with an elegant loop made of Nappa leather. It is conveniently located at the upper edge of the backrest.

Latest MBUX generation: The CLE Coupé adopts numerous digital innovations from the new E-Class. With the new electronics architecture and the third generation of the MBUX infotainment system, it is the most intelligent coupé with the star. It offers an exceptionally interactive entertainment experience with third-party apps and a new level of personalisation with automated convenience functions (routines).

Electrified driving experience: The new CLE Coupé sets standards in efficiency thanks to systematic electrification and intelligent downsizing. All engines are mild hybrids with an integrated starter generator and 48-volt electrical system. There is a choice of four-cylinder units and – as the most powerful engine – a 3.0‑litre straight-six petrol engine (Mercedes-Benz CLE 450 4MATIC provisional figures: combined fuel consumption (WLTP): 8.6-7.8 l/100 km; combined CO₂ emissions (WLTP): 196-176 g/km)[1].

Sporty and comfortable driving pleasure: The chassis is lowered by 15 millimetres as standard. The optional DYNAMIC BODY CONTROL, with continuously adjustable damping on the front and rear axles in combination with rear-axle steering, both offered in the Technology package, ensures particularly agile and at the same time comfortable driving pleasure. The steering angle is up to 2.5 degrees. This reduces the turning circle by 50 centimetres. Despite its larger dimensions, the CLE Coupé with rear-wheel drive has a smaller turning circle than the C-Class Coupé (10.7 instead of 11.2 metres).

Extensive safety: Numerous driver assistance systems, some of which have been further developed, offer situation-specific support for more safety. The extensive standard equipment includes ATTENTION ASSIST, Active Brake Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Speed Limit Assist, and the parking package with reversing camera. In Western Europe, Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC is also standard equipment.

 

 

LOVE IT

 

Looks like they updated the MBUX. Icons look bigger and more phone like.

 

It's a winner. Should do well.

 

Yes, it's running a variant of MBUX 3.0 from the new E-Class.

 

Agreed, it has the right mix of C and E in my opinion. Sporty C-Class styling inside and out, nice mix of E-Class materials and features (nappa upholstry, massage seats, etc.) as well as engines, and more interior space inside than the old C.

Curious to see how the upcoming AMG's will be since this does have a 6-Cylinder model.

 

 

Looks pretty good. Have to watch some of the videos later. Somewhat of an evolution of the current coupe. Optimistic about the engine situation in the AMG as said, but will likely still end up being a heavy E Performance model. Interior is still disappointing after having just spent two weeks in a W206 loaner. The ergonomics are just terrible. Looks like they've upgraded the plastic door handle brick a bit, though and wrapped it in leather around the window switches as far as I can see from the pictures. In the W206 that thing is a cheap brick of plastic. Makes the car feel cheep every time you close the door and have to grab on to it.

 

 

They also empathized on the speakers and speaker placement apparently.

 

I wonder if it has the same amount of programs as the E-sedan or very least E-coupe. If I remembered correctly, the W213 has more massage programs than C238. not sure what improvements the W214 has over W213 for the massage yet.

 

OP, as a former CLS owner, since they are discontinuing the CLS, would you think this CLE is an appropriate vehicle to cross shop to replace the CLS or you would look at something else, if so what vehicles would those be?

So CLE is replacing a total of how many models, just C coupe/cabriolet, E coupe/cabriolet, and maybe (?) CLS? I understand the CLE has only two doors though.

 

So far the things I don't like about this vehicle are:
1. No b-pillarless design
2. Rear windows can't go down
3. Thick border in the rear windows
4. The fake dark light bar strip connecting the two taillights

 

I don't believe CLS buyers would look at a CLE. The CLS has always been a more upmarket E-Class with coupe-ified style. I can't see those buyers stepping downwards, let alone looking at a 2-door, but it is possible. I see most of those buyers going to the GT4D, or simply an E-Class which has become much more sleek since the CLS' original introduction. Since the CLS is all about style and standing out, the GT4D also happens to do very well, all while adding a larger trunk. I also see some buyers moving from CLS to S-Class, as my salesman has mentioned that this is a common trade up for the recent S-Class.

 

Oh nice, I see a buyer/witness one that went from CLS to S-Class myself, you

 

Adding to dislikes according to many reviewers that the door closing sound is not as solid.

 

Lol, just get the soft close doors then.

 

That works too didn't realize it was available on the CLE.

 

Looks like they also brought the tilting screen from the R232 SL over to the C236 CLE cabriolet, that should help with any potential glare issues.

 

So I found out that the CLE has 7-zone massage seats.

 

Anxious to see the AMG models and performance numbers. Will there be a 63 or will MB cap it off at the 53 like they did with the current E coupe?

 

There have already been spy shots of what looks like the 63. I'm also curious about the powertrain. Rumor is they are developing a 6-cyl OMOE for the E63 SE, so given that the CLE 450 has a 6-cyl engine, there is a chance. I'm also curious what it's gonna look like. Wondering if it'll have flared wheel arches like the C63 coupe, or if it will be more of the understated AMG E sedan/coupe variation. I fear the latter, given that in its base form it's already wider than the regular C Class coupe, and about as wide as the C63 coupe. Not a fan of performance models looking almost like their regular siblings.

 

Those 2 right there just kill me. I've had my CLK for a long time. I was hoping the E-coupe would have windows that rolled down, nope. Was hoping the CLE would
Lack of physical knobs for HVAC is also a no-go for me.

 

Hard to tell with the camo but its possible. I thought they were using W206 C63 Mules with widened fenders for the CLE.




53 and 63 models given that the car has been spied with both circular and square exhaust.