- Mercedes has launched a brand new coupe known as the CLE that takes over for the two-door variations of the C-class and E-class, each of that are discontinued after 2023.
- The CLE300 makes use of a 255-hp turbo inline-four whereas the CLE450 upgrades to a 375-hp turbo inline-six, and each function electrical help from an built-in starter-generator.
- The cabin is almost an identical to the one within the present C-class, with a 12.3-inch digital instrument show and a 11.9-inch central touchscreen.
Mercedes-Benz is shrinking its coupe lineup, with its newest two-door effort, the 2024 CLE-class, changing two just lately discontinued fashions, the C-class and E-class coupes. The CLE arrives with an aesthetic, streamlined design, a pair of electrified powertrains, and a tech-focused inside that borrows from the C-class and E-class sedans. The CLE goes on sale within the U.S. in early 2024, with a cabriolet variant coming later.
The styling mixes components from the newest C- and E-class vehicles. The smooth LED headlights and trapezoidal grille mirrors the C-class whereas the full-width taillight (truly two lights linked by a darkish crimson trim piece) echoes the look of the E-class. The bodywork is typical Mercedes, with clean, flowing surfaces punctuated by crisp strains down the aspect and sculpted bumpers. The grille design consists of dozens of tiny Mercedes-Benz three-pointed stars.
Measuring 191 inches from bumper to bumper, the CLE is a smidge longer than the outgoing E-class coupe however stretches 6.5 inches farther than the C-class coupe. The added size is sort of totally within the overhangs, with the CLE’s 112.8-inch wheelbase inside an inch of each of its predecessors. Mercedes claims there may be extra cabin house than the earlier C-class coupe and says the trunk can maintain three golf luggage.
The bottom CLE300 is powered by the identical M254 engine discovered within the C300 and E350 sedans, a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four producing 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. Upgrading to the CLE450 brings the M256 motor from the E450 sedan, a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six pumping out 375 hp and 369 pound-feet. Each powertrains embody an built-in starter-generator operating on the 48-volt electrical system, with the electrical motor offering a lift of 23 hp and 148 pound-feet. This further oomph is fed in at decrease rpm to cut back turbo lag and clean out the beginning/cease system.
In each fashions, energy is routed to all 4 wheels by a nine-speed automated transmission, which homes the electrical motor, energy electronics, and transmission cooler to avoid wasting house and weight. The entrance and rear suspension makes use of a multilink design, and the CLE450 comes normal with a stiffer sport-tuned suspension, additionally provided on the AMG bundle for the CLE300.
The cabin appears to be like practically an identical to the one within the present C-class, with a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and an 11.9-inch central touchscreen angled barely towards the motive force, in addition to the identical round air vents. The CLE skips a 3rd display screen for the entrance passenger, which is an choice on the E-class. The flat-bottomed steering wheel is wrapped in leather-based, and the entrance seats—designed particularly for the CLE—come heated and with four-way lumbar assist as normal. Seat air flow and a seven-zone therapeutic massage operate are optionally available. The CLE can also be fitted with an ordinary 17-speaker Burmester surround-sound system with Dolby Atmos, which permits “particular person devices or voices to be positioned across the listening space” with suitable songs on Apple Music.
Whereas the display screen structure is borrowed from the C-class, the shows make the most of the interface seen on the 2024 E-class, with new icons for vital features that may be accessed extra immediately. The most recent MBUX infotainment system lets prospects obtain third-party apps: TikTok, Offended Birds, Webex, and Zoom can be found at launch. There’s additionally a built-in leisure suite with video streaming and native programming together with sports activities and information. Mercedes has built-in main music streaming platforms into the infotainment system, which may be linked to particular person profiles. These infotainment profiles may be transferred to different Mercedes autos with the newest MBUX system.
As on the 2024 E-class, Mercedes is implementing synthetic intelligence to be taught which consolation methods the motive force makes use of at sure occasions and beneath sure circumstances, and can then run these methods mechanically. This consists of all the things from navigation to a particular deal with to climate-control settings to birthday reminders. Customers also can create templates that assist their routines—Mercedes suggests a “Chilly Days” template that switches on the heated seats and turns the ambient lighting orange, or a “Date Evening” preset that performs romantic music and makes the inside lighting rose-colored.
The CLE will function distant begin and a proximity unlock/lock function, in addition to hands-free entry to the trunk by waving your foot in entrance of the rear bumper’s sensor. The voice assistant now features a setting the place it’s going to at all times be listening for instructions with out being activated by the key phrase “Hey Mercedes”—it solely works in case you are alone within the automotive. The CLE comes packed filled with driver-assistance methods, with lane-keeping help, energetic brake help, and visitors signal recognition as normal. An extra bundle provides adaptive cruise management, blind-spot monitoring, steering and lane change help, and extra.
There is no phrase but on pricing, which must be launched nearer to the 2024 on-sale date. The 2023 C300 coupe began at $50,600 whereas the 2023 E450 coupe value $70,800. We count on the CLE300 to begin round $60,000 vary, whereas the CLE450 ought to begin close to the $70,000 mark.
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Caleb Miller started running a blog about vehicles at 13 years outdated, and he realized his dream of writing for a automotive journal after graduating from Carnegie Mellon College and becoming a member of the Automobile and Driver workforce. He loves quirky and obscure autos, aiming to someday personal one thing weird like a Nissan S-Cargo, and is an avid motorsports fan.
