Our colleagues from auto motor und sport took half within the first check drive of the Mercedes CLE as passengers. Listed here are their first impressions.
Picture: Mercedes
The historical past of Mercedes coupes has been fairly turbulent over the past 25 years. Initially, there have been the 2 Mercedes CLK generations:– the primary technology primarily based on the C-Class W202 (code title C208/A208 for CLK Cabrio) produced between 1997-2003– the second technology primarily based on the C-Class W203 (codename C209/A209 for CLK Cabrio) produced between 2003-2010
Mercedes then determined to switch the CLK with the Mercedes E-Class Coupe. Though it was known as the E-Class Coupe, it’s primarily based on the platform of the C-Class W204. Codenamed C207/A207 it was produced from 2010 to 2017.
In 2015, Mercedes determined to separate the C-Class and E-Class coupes. Thus, in 2015 on the Frankfurt Motor Present, Mercedes launched the C-Class Coupe primarily based on the C-Class W205, and in 2016 the C-Class Cabrio adopted. Each are nonetheless in manufacturing.
Then, in 2017, on the Detroit autoshow, Mercedes launched the brand new E-Class Coupe, adopted by the E-Class Cabrio on the Geneva motorshow in spring 2017. Codenamed C238/A238, these fashions changed the previous E-Class Coupe C207/A207 and are nonetheless in manufacturing at present.
The C-Class Coupe and E-Class Coupe will likely be changed now by a single mannequin, the brand new Mercedes CLE. Mercedes says prospects of the smaller, sportier C-Class Coupe wished an even bigger automotive, and prospects of the opulent E-Class Coupe wished a extra sportier automotive.
Mercedes made the choice to slim the standard mannequin lineup so it might make investments extra in electrification. “However that shouldn’t sound like a nasty compromise,” stated Christof Kuhner, the previous C-Class check supervisor, at the moment accountable for testing the Mercedes CLE and the brand new E-Class.
For now, the entrance and rear are lined, however we received an concept of the front-end design when Gorden Wagener defined in a workshop on Instagram how the brand new design will appear like.The Mercedes CLE encompasses a fastback silhouette with a protracted hood and a small spoiler on the trunk lid. However in comparison with the Audi A7, the Mercedes CLE is a three-volume coupe with a separate trunk. There can even be doorways with out frames on the home windows.
The rear home windows are surrounded by a black encompass, in all probability a part of the Night time package deal. The radiator grille is barely tilted ahead and is split by a horizontal bar that features the Mercedes emblem.
Adaptive suspension and integral steeringThe base Avantgarde model comes with traditional metal spring suspension. Subsequent comes the game suspension which can in all probability be probably the most in demand. The highest model can have adaptive suspension and integral steering with 2.5 levels steering angle.
Many powertrain choices, together with a 6-cylinder optionBase fashions can have 4-cylinder engines with 48V gentle hybrid: CLE 200 with 197 ps/194 hp and CLE 300 with 258 ps/254 hp, each with 14 ps/13.8 hp starter generator. For now, the highest model would be the CLE 450 with the 367 ps/362 hp 3-liter inline 6-cylinder engine mated with a 22 hp starter generator.
There will likely be no scarcity of two diesel variations both: CLE 220d with 194 ps/191 hp and CLE 300 d with 265 ps/261 hp and built-in 20 ps/19.7 hp starter generator.
A PHEV model known as the Mercedes CLE 300e with a 2-liter 204 ps/201 hp turbocharged engine can even be accessible at a later date, coupled with a 136 ps/134 hp electrical motor, like these used within the GLC 300e 4Matic.
The 6-cylinder model comes commonplace with 4Matic all-wheel drive, diesel, and PHEVs can have rear-wheel drive solely, and petrol engines will likely be optionally accessible with all-wheel drive.
Way more spaciousAt 4.945 m, the brand new CLE is 1.5 cm longer than the present E-Class Coupe, so we anticipate it to supply an ethereal inside. The rear bench is snug, and solely the roof that slopes steeply right down to the rear restricts a bit of the inside peak within the again. Our colleagues at auto motor und sport rode within the entrance passenger seat for first impressions in a model with the 6-cylinder engine.
The engine is pleasantly quiet even beneath acceleration, and generally you want you would open the window to listen to the sound of the engine. Fitted with 20-inch wheels (245/35 entrance and 275/30 rear), the coupe has been working on the winding roads across the Sindelfingen plant. In comparison with the E-Class, the suspension is firmer, and physique motion is extra restrained. Outfitted with adaptive suspension, physique roll is lowered, and on the identical time the CLE elegantly cushions brief bumps.
Based mostly on the MRA2 platform, the brand new Mercedes CLE is not going to come low-cost. At present, the Mercedes E-Class Coupe begins at 60,000 euro/$64,129, and the C-Class Coupe begins at 48,766 euro/$52,122.
The brand new Mercedes CLE will likely be unveiled this yr and the market launch will comply with additionally this yr. The Cabrio model will debut in the summertime of 2024.
