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Mercedes is fighting on two fronts with its all-electric EQ range of models and its legacy internal-combustion engined cars. Helping slim down the latter range is the new Mercedes CLE, the car will replace the two-door versions of both the C-Class and E-Class.
A convertible CLE will be announced in the coming months but Mercedes has decided to reveal the new model as a coupe first, providing a new rival to the BMW 4 Series and Audi A5 in the process. Judging from previous spy shots, we expect to see Mercedes’ AMG division to launch its performance-focused CLE later this year, too.
Mercedes says the market launch of the CLE coupe will start in November with the drop-top cabriolet following in 2024. Pricing has yet to be announced but we expect the CLE to start from around £50,000.
The CLE is designed to sit in between the C-Class and E-Class with Mercedes claiming it’ll blend the best qualities of the two models. In terms of size it’s actually longer than the outgoing E-Class Coupe but is the same width and sits a little lower to give it a sleeker profile.
The front-end of the CLE is more akin to that of the C-Class than the new EQE-inspired E-Class. There are isolated LED headlights with a take on Mercedes’ Panamerica grille and more prominent bonnet bulges. To the side we see a simple design with clean surfacing and at the back a similar rear light design to the one on the new GLC Coupe. There are also fake twin exhaust tips, a diffuser and rear air vents to provide a sportier look.
Inside the CLE you’ll immediately notice plenty of design details and technology lifted from the C-Class and GLC. A 12.3-inch central touchscreen and 11.9-inch driver’s display feature with the latest MBUX infotainment system, which adds Mercedes’ new routines function. It essentially learns the habits of the driver and will automatically turn on the climate control, change the ambient lighting and even set reminders such as birthdays or telephone calls based on previous interactions.
Mercedes has also developed a new voice recognition system, first seen on the E-Class, where you no longer need to say ‘Hey Mercedes’ to alert it. Instead, if the driver is alone in the car they can operate the voice control when a red microphone symbol appears on the driver’s display cluster.
Over-the-air updates will be made available to CLE owners throughout its lifespan and in some markets the car will be able to offer 5G internet connectivity. The central screen also features new apps like TikTok, the Vivaldi web browser and even the Angry Birds game.
Mercedes has also equipped a slew of safety features as standard, including attention assist, active brake assist, lane keeping, speed limit warning and a reversing camera. An ‘Advanced Plus’ package adds blind spot assist and traffic sign recognition.
Given the wheelbase is 8mm shorter than the E-Class Coupe’s, the CLE’s interior is slightly smaller. There’s less legroom and headroom in the rear and the 420-litre boot is 5 litres down on the two-door E-Class - but also 60 litres up on the old C-Class Coupe.
The CLE sits on the MRA2 platform, which also underpins the C-Class, E-Class, S-Class and GLC. From launch the CLE will be offered with one diesel and four petrol engines - all of which are 2.0-litre units with mild-hybrid power that are mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission. A plug-in hybrid variant will join the range later on.
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