Mercedes unveils all-new CLE Coupe
Struggling to choose between a three-door C- and E-Class? You won't be for much longer...
‘The new CLE Coupé embodies an emotional statement from every perspective.’ German manufacturers do like to pop an ‘emotional’ or three in every press release - so common is it, ‘the lady doth protest too much, methinks,’ comes to mind. It sounds a bit…forced. But when we’re talking about a genuinely new Mercedes-Benz coupé, like the forthcoming Mercedes CLE, there is legitimacy in the claim that it’s an emotional statement. Mercedes coupés are a statement piece, and I for one have an emotional attachment to many of them.
The new CLE replaces not one but two models in Mercedes’ lineup: it’s effectively the new C-Class coupé and a new E-Class coupé (they’ll eventually be a CLE convertible as well). As such, you’d expect it to be sized midway between the two outgoing models, but it’s actually 15mm longer than the E-Class coupé and the same width. In other respects, such as wheelbase and height, it sits between the two older cars. It’s also aiming to blend two concepts as well: sportier than the old E, and more luxurious than the old C. That’s a tricky combination to pull off convincingly in one package.
It’s built on the same Modular Rear Architecture (MRA) platform as the current C-Class and E-Class. Style-wise it’s the familiar teardrop shape we’ve seen in the most recent Mercedes coupés but with meatier, flared arches. And all that’s blended with the latest company design language of the slim head and taillights, trapezium front grille and sculpted bonnet bulges that, Mercedes says, reference‘ the powerful engines’. What are those engines? Well, there’s no all-electric model, but there will be a plug-in hybrid in due course. Instead, from launch, it’s a choice of straightforward petrol or diesel – albeit they all have an integrated starter-generator for a brief mild-hybrid boost of 23hp and 148lb ft of twist.
The most pokey motor is the lovely straight-six 3.0-litre twin-scroll turbo M 256 M engine. It’s badged as the 450 4Matic, meaning it comes with four-wheel drive as standard, and outputs 381hp and 369lb ft. It’s quick, then, with 0-62mph in 4.4 seconds. The 2.0-litre four-pot petrol (M 254) comes badged as either the CLE 200 or 300 4Matic depending on output, which is respectively 204hp and 236lb ft or 258hp and 295lb ft. Even the CLE 200 accelerates to 62mph in 7.4 seconds (7.5 seconds with optional four-wheel drive) while the CLE 300 drops that by over a second to 6.2.
Then there’s the bogie monster: the CLE 220d. There’s no word yet on whether the UK will even take a diesel coupé and convertible, since demand for derv has fallen off a cliff. It’s still available in the two outgoing models, mind. Here it’s the same 2.0-litre but with a little more power and torque squeezed out of it – now 200hp and 325lb ft. It’ll also do 0-62mph in 7.5 seconds. All the engine variations drive through the regular Mercedes nine-speed auto gearbox, although it has apparently been refined to make it lighter and more efficient.
The front suspension uses double wishbones, and the rear is a five-link set-up, which is par for the course in this sector these days. The springs sit the CLE 15mm lower to the ground than the ‘sedan series,’ which presumably references the new E-Class saloon. The standard comfort suspension is for those who prefer a bit more of a forgiving ride. There’s an optional sports set-up with an amplitude-selective damping system (the damping force is changed mechanically according to the force applied to the damper) or there’s the pricier option of Dynamic Body Control. That’s continuously variable damping and it comes with rear-wheel steering, which can turn the rear wheels by up to 2.5 degrees. Both the sportier suspension set-ups also add variable-ration steering for a sharper turn-in response.
As you might expect, it has all the latest safety assist features, but not the Level 3 autonomy potential of the current S-Class. The CLE is rated for Level 2, so it’ll keep reminding the driver to hold the steering wheel every 30 seconds. It’s also the second Mercedes after the new E-Class to get the third-gen MBUX infotainment system. That’s worked via the driver’s display or the portrait infotainment screen. Some of the highlights are 5G capability and the ability to run apps such as TikTok and Zoom through the platform (bet that’ll gain some positive comments). Worryingly, it’s got some AI software, too. It’s aiming to ‘learn which comfort systems the driver uses repeatedly at certain times and under certain conditions, and then run them automatically’. Fingers crossed that a) it works or b) can be switched off, otherwise it could get a tad annoying.
The interior design mirrors the current C-Class saloon, but if you have the previous C-Class coupé and need a bit more rear space you’ll be pleased. The CLE’s wheelbase is 25mm longer and together with the increased height it’s increased rear knee room by 72mm and rear headroom by 10mm. The boot is 60 litres bigger, too, so Mercedes says it ‘can easily hold three golf bags’. Other than rear shoulder room, though, E-Class coupé owners will find it’s generally a bit tighter all round.
Expect the new CLE to be in UK showrooms by the end of this year, and fingers crossed that this isn't the full range. An AMG CLE 53 would be nice, and hopefully an AMG CLE 63 S E Performance is on the cards, too. We'll see, but they sold enough of previous C63 coupés to demonstrate the business case.
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