By Otsile Kadiege

Last year, Mercedes-Benz took the veils off the all-new and first-ever CLE coupe which is a blend of the discontinued C-Class and E-Class coupes. The automaker recently unveiled its drop top version catering to customers who like driving with the top down. Like its coupe sibling, the new CLE cabriolet sports the brand’s unmistakable ‘Sensual Purity’ design language, electrified powertrains and a raft of technologies as well as new safety and driver assistance systems. 

CLE cabriolet exterior

The new CLE design is without a doubt one of the sexiest Mercedes-Benz designs in recent times. Design and styling highlights include a forward-leaning front section (“shark nose”) with a low-slung bonnet, flat LED headlights with a unique design and a distinctive radiator grille. The rear is characterised by flowing surfaces and smooth transitions. Another highlight is the two-part LED lights with new contours and three-dimensional light bodies. 

The CLE cabriolet has a standard-fit fabric acoustic soft top. It’s available in the colours black, red or grey and has a multi-layer structure with extensive insulation to reduce wind and driving noise as well as provide the best thermal comfort in all seasons. Mercedes-Benz claims the soft top opens and closes within 20 seconds up to a road speed of 60 km/h. For the first time, it is powered exclusively by electricity, making it even quieter. The standard-fit powered roller divider automatically separates the folded soft top from the remaining luggage compartment.

The CLE drop top dimensions are as follows: 4,850 millimetres long, 1,861 millimetres wide, 1,424 millimetres high and a wheelbase of 2,865 millimetres.

CLE cabriolet interior

Inside, the CLE boasts a familiar Mercedes-Benz design similar to the likes of the C-Class and S-Class. Highlights include a free-standing 12.3-inch touchscreen running on the latest MBUX infotainment system with the intelligent ‘Hey Mercedes’ voice command assistant, a fully digital instrument display 11.9-inch driver-oriented central display, 64 colour ambient lighting and an optional 17-speaker Burmester 3D surround sound system.  

When driving with the top down, the optional leather seats have a special coating which reflects the sun’s near-infrared rays. As a result, the leather remains up to 12 degrees cooler in direct sunlight than untreated standard leather. As standard, the CLE cabriolet is fitted with a Aircap electric wind deflector system and a Airscarf headroom heating system.

On the practicality side of things, the CLE cabriolet has a luggage capacity of 385 litres (295 litres with the top down). If required, this is extendable using the folding rear seat backrests. Customers can conveniently fold them down from the boot in a 60:40 split. 

Driver assistance systems 

Numerous driver assistance systems, some of which have been further developed, offer situation-specific support for more safety. The extensive standard equipment includes Attention Assist, Active Brake Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Speed Limit Assist, and the parking package with reversing camera. In Western Europe, Active Distance Assist Distronic is also standard equipment. 

Powertrains and performance 

All Mercedes-Benz CLE cabriolet engines are mild hybrids with an integrated starter generator and 48-volt electrical system. There’s a choice of four-cylinder units and – as the most powerful engine – a 3.0-litre straight-six petrol engine code named M 256 M in the CLE 450 4Matic. It produces 280kW/500Nm and is paired to a 9-speed automatic transmission.