Mercedes confirms UK pricing for CLE Cabriolet
Nothing says spring has sprung quite like a new drop-top Mercedes - the CLE is on sale now
Though Mercedes has now diversified into almost every possible automotive niche, it certainly still has areas of traditional expertise, those cars that Benz makes better than any other. Opulent drop-tops must surely as one of those niches: nobody does wind-in-the-air luxury quite like Mercedes. See the prices currently being asked for cabrio 124s and R107 SLs.
So the arrival of the CLE Cabriolet is quite a big deal, not least because the coupe has already proved itself so quietly impressive. It feels very Mercedes in all the right ways, so a lot is expected of the rag top. On sale now, the CLE starts at £52,995.
That buys a 200 AMG Line, with 204hp and 236lb ft from a mild hybrid 2.0-litre turbo - meaning 147mph potential, and 0-62mph in 7.9 seconds. AMG Line spec brings 18-inch wheels, Thermatic climate control, 64-colour ambient lighting (which is great), LED headlights and a reversing camera. It can also be had with the 197hp, 324lb ft CLE 220 diesel, which is just as fast as the petrol while adding 15mpg to the WLTP official combined.
AMG Line Premium is the next rung up, which makes the wheels an inch bigger, the LED lights into DIGITAL LIGHT beacons, augmented reality for the nav and a Parking Package. It can be had with the 200 petrol engine (£54,745) and 220d (£56,810), plus brings the more powerful engines into play: the 258hp CLE 300 costs £59,745, then the straight six, 381hp 450 coming in at £70,265.
Still with us? Good, plenty more to come. AMG Line Premium Plus (there’s not a boot badge, don’t worry) adds £4k to the price of all engines, and brings with it 20-inch wheels, something called an Energizing Plus Package, a head-up display and a 17-speaker Burmester sound system. Expect that to be popular for the swankiest cabrio experience around. Those that must have the ultimate can get a Premier Edition CLE Convertible, which adds another £2,500 again - so £61,245 for the 200, £63,310 for the 220d, £66,245 for the 300 and £76,765 for 450 - adding with it the Night Package, black wheels, Nappa leather and heated steering wheel. Can probably go without that.
Much better to spend the cash on some good colours inside and out. White is the only standard CLE paint, with a range of £715 metallics and the Manufaktur shades - including Patagonia Red - at £925. Black, red or grey are your choices for the roof, at no charge, albeit with ‘potential added costs due to additional required equipment’. Same inside, with black, white and tan upholstery offered. There’s going to be a CLE spec for everyone in there somewhere, certainly. With all models on sale now, deliveries should commence in time for the sunnier months. Then it’ll be time for the AMGs…
In seriousness, that is chunky money for something which feels like it would have been a great deal cheaper not that long ago. Then again, closest it has to a direct competitor is a 4 series cabrio and those start at 48k nowadays themselves, for something both older and I believe smaller.
Also, it's a convertible Benz. Decadence feels like part of the point.
Nothing says decadence like a little four pot petrol farting away like a flatulent donkey to drag the thick end of 2 tons around, except perhaps the DAG DAG DAG if you chose the diesel engine. Nothing like being able to put the roof down and really enjoy the sounds of compression ignition.£70k may seem a lot but remember that W124s, once specified with decent engines and optioned up (i.e. you ticked the box marked "electric windows" and "radio") were probably knocking on the door of that figure in today's money.
Nothing says decadence like a little four pot petrol farting away like a flatulent donkey to drag the thick end of 2 tons around, except perhaps the DAG DAG DAG if you chose the diesel engine. Nothing like being able to put the roof down and really enjoy the sounds of compression ignition.£70k may seem a lot but remember that W124s, once specified with decent engines and optioned up (i.e. you ticked the box marked "electric windows" and "radio") were probably knocking on the door of that figure in today's money.
In seriousness, that is chunky money for something which feels like it would have been a great deal cheaper not that long ago. Then again, closest it has to a direct competitor is a 4 series cabrio and those start at 48k nowadays themselves, for something both older and I believe smaller.
Also, it's a convertible Benz. Decadence feels like part of the point.
Nothing says decadence like a little four pot petrol farting away like a flatulent donkey to drag the thick end of 2 tons around, except perhaps the DAG DAG DAG if you chose the diesel engine. Nothing like being able to put the roof down and really enjoy the sounds of compression ignition.
I wouldn't say no to the 6 cylinder petrol one of these.
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