Can the Mercedes CLE replace the C Class and E Class? Lets Find Out
Exterior – Front
So, lets start with the size of the car. The size of the Mercedes CLE is slightly bigger than the E Class coupe, but it gets some of its looks from the Mercedes C Class. Take the grill for example. It has the Mercedes Star Mesh pattern in it and there is no black surround like the new E Class. We also get these sporty looking headlights that have 3 sets of daytime running lights in them just like the C Class. Also, the bumper is very similar to the C Class. It has been put together differently though with a sportier and more aggressive look.
Exterior – Side
Moving round to the side and we get a sleek coupe profile with a minimum number of creases. We get one just after the front wheel which then disappears into the door and reappearing over the rear wheel. We also get another crease lower down near the sill but apart from that it has a very minimalistic look to it.
Exterior – Rear
Moving round to the back and we see the best part of the new CLE. The overall design looks very classy and premium and very similar to the new Mercedes AMG GT. We get the usual triangle taillights that all other Mercedes have but just like the new GLC Coupe we get a black bar connecting them which gives this car a premium feel. The rear bumper is also sporty but we do get a fake diffuser and fake exhausts which is a shame, but it does give this car a premium look. Lets have a look at the engines you can get in the Mercedes CLE
Car and engine specs and price
So, before we have a look at the engines there is something quite interesting with them. Just like the new Mercedes GLC all of them are Mild hybrid. The plug in hybrid system gives an extra 205 Nm of torque on all of the engines. Lets start with the only diesel engine. this is a 2 litre turbo diesel unit called CLE 220d and this has 194 bhp and 441 Nm of torque but this will increase to 646 Nm of Torque when the hybrid system kicks in. this version is rear wheel drive. For the petrol range there are 2 options both with the 4 Matic 4 wheel drive system. The first option is the CLE 300 4Matic. This uses a 2 litre 4 cylinder turbo engine which has 201 bhp and 320 Nm of Torque but this increases to 525 Nm with the hybrid assistance. Finally, the top of the range engine before the AMG models is the CLE 450 4Matic. This gets a 3 litre straight 6 turbo engine producing 370 bhp and 500 Nm of torque but it produces 705 with the Hybrid assistance. This does 0-62 mph in 4.4 seconds, that’s only 1.1 seconds away from the C 63 S E Performance. The price of the new Mercedes CLE has not been announced yet but expect it to be north of £45,000.
Interior – Design
So, climbing inside the new Mercedes CLE and we get the same interior layout as the C class and the GLC. This means we get the rounded square airvents and a portrait 11.9 inch infotainment system running MBUX 2.0. This is not the latest software that you will find in the new E Class but that will be coming in the future. You do get piano black plastic in the centre console where it will get scratched and on the door cards, but we also get this nice grey wood effect dashboard material that I quite like. This instrument cluster is 12.3 inches in size and is very customisable and easy to read. Unfortunately, you don’t get a 3D version like you get in the S Class. We also get the same set of steering wheels as you do with the C Class, this means you get touch sensitive buttons. What is different in the CLE from the C Class is the seats. They have a different shape to them, but they are more supportive and comfier with this quilted diamond design making the car feel more premium. Let’s have a look at the rear seats.
Practicality
So, getting into the back of the Mercedes CLE and you will be surprised that there is a decent amount of legroom for a coupe of this size. Headroom is not the best, but it is only a coupe. Compare this to the Audi A5 coupe and this comes out on top. Let’s have a look at the boot.
Boot Size
Opening the boot and you are welcomed with a decent boot size at 420 litres. Because it is a coupe though it does make it harder to access compared with a hatchback, but it is decent enough for a small family.
Summary
So, in summary then what do I think of the new Mercedes CLE. Well, it definitely has the looks. It looks a lot more than what it is which is a good thing in this sense because it means it is basically a poor mans AMG GT and I’m fine with that. Inside again it feels more than what it is and the interior is very similar to the AMG GT. To be honest when the rumoured AMG CLE 63 S E Performance comes out based on the AMG C 63 S E Performance this car will be almost as quick but a lot more efficient. This would be the car I would go for over the AMG GT.
Exterior 5/5
Interior 5/5
Practicality 4/5
Total 14/15
Model | Mercedes CLE 300 AMG Line Premium |
Engine | 2.0l Turbo Petrol 4 Cylinder, 201 bhp, Rear Wheel Drive |
Trnasmission | Automatic 9 Speed |
Price | N/A |
On Sale | 2024 |
Comments