Despite the popularity of the SUV, there’s still room for a stylish luxury coupe. Here’s all you need to know about the new Mercedes-Benz CLE!

Mercedes-Benz has somewhat rationalised its coupe offering, waving goodbye to both the C-Class and E-Class Coupe and ushering in the Mercedes-Benz CLE Coupe which will be offered in both hardtop and cabriolet body styles.

Hardtop or Cabriolet? Tough choices to be made with the new Mercedes-Benz CLE.

The new CLE Coupe stands 4 850 mm long, 1 860 mm wide, 1 428 mm high and adopts a longer wheelbase, 2 865 mm to be exact (25mm more than the new C-Class), resulting in a more spacious cabin with Mercedes-Benz claiming 72 mm more knee room, 10 mm improved headroom and 19mm better shoulder room. More so, the load bay is said to be 60 litres larger than the C-Class with up to 675 litres of space.

Stylistically, the CLE adopts somewhat familiar design cues such as a forward-leaning “shark nose”, a low-slung bonnet, flat LED headlights, 3D grille design and two-part LED tail lights. It’s worth knowing that the CLE sits some 15 mm lower than the C-Class and wheels sizes vary from 18 to 20 inches, depending on trim grade (either Avantgarde or AMG Line).

The CLE’s interior adopts technology from the E-Class.

As for the interior, highlights include a 12.3-inch digital instrument display, 11.9-inch infotainment display with Merc’s latest third-generation MBUX operating system and ambient interior lighting that offers up to 64 colours to choose from. The new CLE also gains specially-designed sporty front seats as well as a Burmester 3D surround sound system

What engines power the new Mercedes-Benz CLE?

Mild-hybrid powertrains are the order of the day with the new CLE.

Buyers will have a choice of mild-hybrid powertrains, incorporating an integrated starter generator and 48-volt electrical system combining with either a 4-cylinder 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine in the CLE 300 4Matic with 190 kW and 400 Nm of torque or a range-topping CLE 450 4MATIC with a twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre 6-cylinder engine which produces 280 kW and 500 Nm. The only diesel offering is the CLE 220d with a 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine producing 147 kW. All variants are paired with an optimised 9-speed automatic transmission. A CLE Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) variant is also on the cards.

Merc’s Dynamic Body Control with continuously adjustable damping is optional in addition to rear axle steering as offered n the Technology Package.

When will the new Mercedes-Benz CLE come to South Africa?

At the time of writing, the local arrival of the new CLE has yet to be confirmed. However, Europe will receive the new CLE Coupe in November 2023 with the CLE Cabriolet following in 2024. Therefore, realistically, South African customers can expect the new CLE in South Africa sometime in 2024.

We will keep you updated as soon as we receive confirmation.

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