It’s not usually that you may expertise humid, gusty 60-degree circumstances and dry temperatures approaching 100 levels in the midst of an hour, however I did that behind the wheel of a 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class Cabriolet on the volcanic island of Tenerife.
A part of Spain’s Canary Islands, Tenerife lies off the coast of west Africa, and has a number of microclimates, starting from idyllic sand seashores, to arid lava fields, to the Alpine local weather of the snow-covered dormant volcano Mt. Teide. The twisty roads main up towards Mt. Teide proved to be an excellent place to point out off the three-season functionality of the brand new CLE-Class Cabriolet and its enjoyable grand-touring chops as effectively.
Just like the 2024 Mercedes CLE Coupe I drove final 12 months, the CLE Cabriolet replaces each the compact C-Class Cabriolet and the midsize E-Class Cabriolet with components of each vehicles.
To let drivers go top-down in cooler temperatures, it additionally will get an evolution of the AirCap system that helps divert the wind away from passengers and the AirScarf neck-level heating system. These methods proved very important as I skilled a 40-degree temperature swing within the time it takes to observe an episode of “Curb Your Enthusiasm.”
2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE 450 4Matic Cabriolet
2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE 450 4Matic Cabriolet
2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE 450 4Matic Cabriolet
Mercedes-Benz CLE Cabriolet: Three-seasons isolation
Mt. Teide rises 12,188 toes above sea degree and is usually coated by an inverted cloud layer. On the drive up towards the height, I activated the AirCap button on the middle console to restrict the quantity of wind that would get into the cabin and make dialog with my drive associate simpler. With out the wind buffeting the cabin, it additionally stored it hotter as we ascended.
AirCap consists of a windshield header that pops up 3.9 inches. It pairs with a rear windblocker that rises from behind the rear seats to direct air over the cabin. Activated with the contact of a button, it makes a notable distinction for a peaceful cabin, particularly if you happen to preserve the facet home windows up—a glance I discover reasonably nerdy however my drive associate argues is completely fantastic.
Utilizing the AirCap system is nice for isolation, nevertheless it’s not excellent for gas economic system. The CLE Cabriolet has a coefficient of drag of a slippery 0.27 with the highest up, and that rises to 0.31 with the highest down. AirCap will increase the cd to 0.35, which is about what you’d count on with the highest up in a coupe 10-20 years in the past. The upshot? Count on to get 1-2 much less mpg when driving on the freeway with the highest down and AirCap activated.
2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE 450 4Matic Cabriolet
2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE 450 4Matic Cabriolet
2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE 450 4Matic Cabriolet
2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE 450 4Matic Cabriolet
By the point we acquired to the highest of the mountain, AirCap wasn’t sufficient. The wind picked up and the temperature fell to 60 levels. It was time to activate AirScarf.
This neck-level heating system has vents within the headrests. It’s activated by a button on every entrance door, and it really works like most seat heaters, with three ranges of heating. Now chilled, I selected degree 3—full blast.
The street quickly headed downhill and the temperatures began to rise. I knocked AirScarf down a notch, then one other. By the underside of the mountain, the temperature had elevated 40 levels, and AirScarf was now a hindrance reasonably than a assist. I turned on the air-con, pondering AirScarf would go cool. It didn’t. It’s a heating system, not a local weather management system. I spotted I needed to flip it off.
Mercedes makes occupants comfy within the warmth, too. Solar-reflecting leather-based that reduces the temperature as much as 53 levels is obtainable, the highest itself is effectively insulated, and air-con can combat the warmth. The highest is obtainable in black, crimson, or grey, and will be powered up or down in 20 seconds at speeds as much as 37 mph. With the highest down, the CLE Cabriolet is nearly as effectively remoted because the quiet coupe.
2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE 450 4Matic Cabriolet
2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE 450 4Matic Cabriolet
2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE 450 4Matic Cabriolet
Mercedes-Benz CLE-Cabriolet equals C + E
The CLE is bigger than the final C-Class Cabriolet. At 190.9 inches, it’s 6.5 inches longer total, and its 112.8-inch wheelbase is an inch longer. It’s additionally 2.0 inches wider at 73.3 inches and 0.6 inch taller at 56.1 inches. In comparison with the final E-Class Cab, it’s a half inch longer and 0.2 inch wider, however its wheelbase is 0.3 inch shorter and it sits 0.2 inch decrease.
In contrast to the CLE Coupe, Mercedes makes no declare that the Cabriolet’s suspension is tuned to mix the C-Class’s sportiness with the E-Class’s consolation. Nonetheless, an engineer advised Motor Authority that the CLE Cabriolet is tuned for a softer trip with extra physique roll than the CLE Coupe.
That doesn’t imply the CLE Cabriolet is sloppy on the street. Just like the CLE coupe, the Cabriolet has normal four-link entrance and five-link rear suspensions that afford loads of particular person management of every wheel. It additionally sits 0.6 inch decrease than a comparable C-Class sedan.
I drove a European CLE 450 4Matic mannequin with the adjustable dampers that we don’t get within the U.S. Each U.S. mannequin will include a suspension lowered 0.6 inch in comparison with the final C-Class coupe. CLE 450 fashions and people with the AMG Line bundle with a sport suspension that features firmer springs and dampers, and the dampers have a further amplitude selective valve that adjusts their conduct to optimize it for lengthy and quick wheel journey, taking the sharpness out of deep ruts and quelling the trip over tough pavement. U.S. variations of the CLE 300 ought to deal with lots just like the Consolation mode of the adjustable dampers and the CLE 450 needs to be nearer to the Sport mode. In both mode, the trip is at all times forgiving, even with the obtainable 20-inch wheels.
On these mountain roads, the CLE 450 4Matic was effectively managed, with out the wallowing that may be related to bigger Mercedes just like the S-Class. It had the model’s sharp, semi-weighty steering that reacts shortly and will use a bit of extra really feel. Reinforcements to the underbody, wheel arches, rockers, and A-pillars additionally prevented the physique quake that convertibles can endure over bumps.
My automobile additionally had the AMG Line’s non-compulsory staggered-size 245/35R20 and 275/30R20 Continental EcoContact 6Q summer time efficiency tires (19-inch summer time tires are normal). These could also be summer time tires, however the “Eco” is true within the title, they usually’re not made to grip like a Michelin Pilot Sport 4S or a Pirelli P Zero. The tires began squawking once I pushed it into corners and whereas they supplied good traction, loads of different summer time tires will grip tougher. They match into the automobile’s cruiser/tourer character, permitting for a brisk drive with a snug trip and no ideas of a racetrack.
Whereas the bigger AMG Line brakes (14.6-inch entrance rotors and 12.6-rear rotors—Mercedes hasn’t shared the caliper rely) dealt with my typically excitable driving fashion on the way in which down the mountain however not fully willingly. The pedal remained progressive and by no means light, however the odor advised me which may not have lasted for much longer. The CLE 300’s 13.5-inch entrance rotors with and 11.8-inch rear rotors might need light with all that downhill braking.
The brakes could have struggled, however the engine definitely didn’t. The CLE 450 will get a turbocharged inline-6 that makes 375 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. It’s aided by a 48-volt electrical motor within the transmission that may add as much as 23 hp and 151 lb-ft for brief bursts, in an association that makes it a light hybrid. The powertrain pushes the CLE 450 from 0-60 mph in a Mercedes-quoted 4.2 seconds on its technique to a 130-mph electronically restricted high velocity. It’s backed by a 9-speed computerized transmission that sends its energy to all 4 wheels in each fashions.
The turbo-6 moved the CLE 450 with gusto, simply accelerating exhausting even when going uphill. The 9-speed supplied higher entry to the ability in Sport mode, and typically dawdled to shift in Consolation mode, however I by no means needed for extra energy. A 4.2-second 0-60 mph time is Mustang GT territory, and it’s one of many principal components of this automobile that makes it so enjoyable. It’s additionally tuned to be much less boisterous than in different functions, with a quieter engine observe and not one of the pops and crackles of an AMG model.
CLE 300 4Matic patrons get a 2.0-liter turbo-4 that spins out 255 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, teamed with the identical transmission, 48-volt system, and all-wheel drive. It’s fairly fast, too, with a 6.2-second 0-60 mph time. I didn’t drive it within the Cabriolet however I did within the coupe and may say it has good energy for many any want, and its entrance finish feels lighter.
2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE 450 4Matic Cabriolet
2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE 450 4Matic Cabriolet
2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE 450 4Matic Cabriolet
Mercedes-Benz CLE-Cabriolet prioritizes consolation
The inside sports activities a mixture of luxurious and sportiness, the latter particularly with the AMG Line bundle. The bundle’s sporty components embrace flat-bottom steering wheel and stainless-steel pedals. It additionally will get silver chrome accents on the local weather vents and gloss-black door trim additionally with silver chrome accents.
AMG Line or not, the CLE Cabriolet comes with sport seats that embrace two audio system within the driver’s headrest. Comfy, roomy, and supportive, these seats are perfect for long-trip consolation. They’re upholstered in artificial leather-based as normal, however quite a lot of actual leathers are non-compulsory, together with nappa leather-based and the sun-reflecting leather-based.
Different normal options embrace heated entrance seats, ambient lighting, a Burmester surround-sound audio system, driver and passenger seat reminiscence, navigation, and 18-inch wheels for the CLE 300 and 19s for the CLE 450.
The sprint comes from the present C-Class sedan, and it contains a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and an 11.9-inch portrait-style infotainment touchscreen that may be tilted between 15 and 40 levels to keep away from solar glare. The infotainment runs on the newest model of the MBUX system that’s laid out like apps on a smartphone. It responds to the “Hey Mercedes” voice immediate and it could possibly now acknowledge another voice instructions with out the immediate.
The CLE’s giant measurement provides it 0.6 inch extra rear legroom than the final C-Class Cab and 0.9 inch extra rear shoulder room. That doesn’t make the backseat notably inviting. Whereas it has good shoulder room for 2, legroom will likely be tight until quick occupants are sitting up entrance.
Trunk area is sweet for a convertible, with 13.6 cubic toes of area with the highest up, and 10.4 cubes with the highest down. Watch out the place you retailer these packages if you happen to’re going to place the highest down.
Set to reach this spring, the 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE 300 4Matic will begin at $65,500, together with an $1,150 vacation spot payment, whereas the CLE 450 4Matic will run $75,000. Each figures can be lots for strictly a summer time trip, however the brand new CLE-Class helps you to take pleasure in top-down driving whether or not it’s summer time or not.
Mercedes paid for journey and lodging for Motor Authority to convey you this firsthand report.
