Mercedes have launched its new CLE, an amalgamation of the C and E class coupes. It’s close to the size of the E-Class with the looks of the C -Class from the launch event at Mercedes new digital showroom in South Dublin. The new CLE Coupe will come with diesel and petrol engines powered by 2.0-litre engines and all will have mild-hybrid power going through a nine-speed auto transmission. A plug-in hybrid variant will be added to the lineup in the future as well as AMG versions, as standard the CLE is 15mm lower compared to the E-Class.
The CLE Coupé range will have three models: CLE 220, CLE 300 and CLE 450. Engines include 4 and 6 cylinder versions, mild hybrid petrol and diesel units, 9-speed automatic transmission, 4MATIC all-wheel drive, and AMG variants.
Petrol power comes in the form of the CLE 200 with 204bhp and 320 Nm of torque and a 0-100 km/h time of 7.4s. The 200 will be available with Mercedes 4MATIC four-wheel drive system, which adds weight, slows the 0-100 km/h time and increases fuel economy.
Next up comes the CLE 300 4MATIC with 258bhp and 400 Nm of torque with a 0-100 km/h time of 6.2 s. The CLE 450 will be beefier with 381bhp and 500 Nm of torque with a 0-100 km/h time of 4.4s. Mercedes haven’t given any details yet on AMG variants but we won’t be long waiting.
The entry-level CLE 220 d comes with 197bhp and 440 Nm of torque for a 0-100 km/h time of 7.5 seconds. Instead of full on braking regeneration they’ve worked on coasting which gives a much smoother passenger experience, there will also be small amounts of boost (23bhp with boost torque of 200 Nm) and some recuperation.
Rear-axle steering is the popular add-on of the day and Mercedes will offer it as part of the ‘Dynamic Body Control’ package. This means the CLE’s rear wheels can steer up to 2.5 degrees. The package also adds continuous adjustable damping. .
The interior passenger space is smaller than the E-Class with reduced legroom and headroom in the rear. The 420-litre boot has 5 litres less than a two-door E-Class.
The CLE will have the ability to get over-the-air updates using (in some countries where available) 5G internet connectivity. They’ve added new apps such as TikTok, a web browser as well as games to the infotainment.
A 12.3” central touchscreen and 11.9” driver’s display use the latest MBUX infotainment. Mercedes’ new routines function learns the habits of the driver and automatically adjusts the climate control and ambient lighting etc based on the habits of the driver. Mercedes says a convertible will follow in 2024, CLE Coupe prices start at €73,215 and you can nab test drives in dealerships from Dec 8th.
As well as the new CLE, Mercedes have also revealed the new E-Class. Mercedes have always been known to deliver an incredible interior and this latest version is no different as the new E-Class comes with lots of new cabin tech as well as efficient hybrid powertrains.
Power comes from an assortment of four- and six-cylinder engines, some mild hybrids, and others part of a plug-in hybrid drivetrain. Reports state the AMG E63 no longer has a twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 and instead uses a straight-six with an electric motor producing around 700 horsepower and 1,200 Nm of torque. With this brings a weight increase and much of it will be used to move that extra mass.
Base models come with 48-volt mild-hybrid tech, with plug-in hybrid tech taken from the 2.0-litre four-cylinder in the new GLC SUV, with a 31.2kWh battery for a range of around 130 kms. The E-Class is available in three petrol versions (E200, E300 e, E450 4MATIC) and three diesel versions (E220 d, E300 de and E450 d 4MATIC) – two equipped with fourth-generation plug-in mild hybrid electric power. A new battery increases electric motor power from 15 to 17 kW and boosts torque to 205 Nm. Prices start for the E220 d saloon from €80,525 and E 200 petrol saloon from €82,130.
The interior is based around the MBUX Superscreen with three displays in the dashboard which also features a selfie camera. Inspired by the interior of the EQE, the E-Class also features newly designed air vents and physical buttons below the centre screen. The stereo uses a 17-speaker Burmester surround sound system set-up and the interiors get a new Active Ambient Lighting function that changes the light patterns based around the rhythm of the music. They’ve saved some money by using more software-driven features and less overall hardware.
The MB App Store has been updated to support more apps, from here you can now download, for example Zoom, which uses the on-board camera feature and then, after those Zoom meetings you can play Angry Birds or scroll through social apps such as Tik Tok.
Hey Mercedes has been replaced and will trigger by saying “just talk” and it can activate a feature called ‘Energising Comfort’ which is designed to alleviate travel sickness by adjusting climate control and seat position.