TENARIFE, Canary Islands – There’s nothing fairly like going for a leisurely, top-down drive. Sadly, convertibles proceed to vanish from showrooms as consumers’ urge for food for SUVs appears to be insatiable. In an effort to kill two birds with one stone, Mercedes-Benz has consolidated two of its earlier fashions into one. The previous-generation C-Class and E-Class had been each provided as coupes or convertibles, however this time round, the two-door choices are lined by a single, new Mercedes-Benz CLE arriving in showrooms this spring.
When it comes to dimension, the CLE is about an inch longer than the final E-Class Cabrio and 6.5 inches longer than the earlier drop-top C-Class. Pricing successfully splits the distinction between its predecessors. The entry-level CLE 300 4Matic Cabriolet begins at $65,500 (together with $1,150 in vacation spot charges), or about $5,000 greater than the previous C 300 4Matic Cabriolet. The extra highly effective CLE 450 4Matic Cabriolet begins at a fair $75,000, or about $5,000 lower than the previous E 450 4Matic Cabriolet. There won’t be a convertible model of the AMG CLE 53 Coupe we’ll be driving within the coming weeks.
The CLE 300 is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that produces 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, whereas the CLE 450 goes with a 3.0-liter turbo inline six that is good for 375 hp and 369 lb-ft. Each are paired with a 48-volt gentle hybrid system that provides as much as 23 hp and 151 lb-ft by means of an built-in starter/generator. A nine-speed computerized is the one transmission provided, and each variations solely ship energy to all 4 wheels.
Styling-wise, the brand new CLE represents an evolution of present Mercedes-Benz themes. The grille might simply be mistaken for nearly any sedan within the lineup, although across the again, the taillights are joined within the center with a black plastic trim ingredient. The familiarity is not a foul factor because it nonetheless exudes class, luxurious and refinement. As an all-new mannequin, although, I anticipated just a bit extra pizzazz.
I used to be handed the keys to a beautiful CLE 450 4Matic Cabriolet to drive round Tenerife, the most important of Spain’s Canary Islands off the coast of Morocco. Proper off the bat, I used to be impressed by the CLE’s startup. With the highest down, I barely seen the engine spring to life after tapping the beginning button. There was nearly no shudder or sound, making me query if it was certainly operating. This quiet begin is a results of the 48-volt hybrid system, and it has been optimized for this sort of smoothness.
Setting off on the highways and slender roads, my shoulder-length hair wasn’t being tousled practically as a lot as it’s in any of the convertibles I’ve owned over the previous three many years. Even at 60 mph, I used to be in a position to maintain a dialog with my passenger with out having to lift my voice. That’s spectacular, however the actual take a look at is to deploy Mercedes’ newest Aircap wind deflector system to see how that impacts buffeting.
With a elevate of a toggle on the middle console, a mesh display rises from behind the rear headrests whereas the home windows rise to create an insulating bubble round me. Out of my sight, a slender strip of wing additionally rises atop the windshield with a skinny mesh materials spanning the hole. What little turbulence that was current earlier than was diminished to barely a breeze. That is as calm an expertise I’ve had in any convertible. Full cease.
Calmness additionally applies to the best way the CLE 450 drives. It accelerates with confidence, and Mercedes claims it’ll attain 60 mph in solely 4.2 seconds. The CLE 300 ought to take one other two seconds. Energy supply is clean and plentiful, although the muffled engine sounds extra like an inline-four than an inline-six. The brakes really feel reliable and are simple to modulate and convey to a clean limo cease.
Though the 450 comes customary with the adaptive “Sport” suspension that’s an choice on the 300, it’s primarily tuned for snug touring, and on this utility, it appears completely matched. Bumps and ruts are barely acknowledged, and the CLE corners with grace and composure. It would not encourage you to cost arduous into the following bend, but it surely does provide the confidence to swerve out of the best way of particles if wanted. At no level did the CLE really feel like a smaller automobile than it’s, as its extensive stance and roomy cabin had been fixed reminders that this can be a massive automotive. That stated, it’ll carry out on a better stage than the overwhelming majority of drivers will ever want.
Inside, the CLE is sort of similar to the most recent C-Class. A curving dashboard flows and tapers into the console, with a big, tablet-like, 11.9-inch touchscreen tacked onto the middle stack. A smaller, horizontal digital instrument show sits simply in entrance of the steering wheel. As anticipated, supplies high quality is great and each floor has a stable development really feel beneath. The silver plastic door hand rests do appear misplaced, with a decidedly down-market feel and look, however that is one of many few and minor complaints.
With the highest down, I additionally felt as if the beltline was a bit too excessive. I usually prefer to drape my elbow excessive of the door, however that angle is just too steep to comfortably maintain it there. The padded part of the armrest is an appropriate various. The seats themselves are well-shaped for all-day consolation and the upholstery has a particular coating to mirror near-infrared gentle and hold the surfaces cool. Ought to that be inadequate, air flow is an choice, together with therapeutic massage features. If issues get chilly, the entrance seats are heated, and the usual Airscarf gently blows heat air towards the again of your neck.
The folding cloth prime can deploy in 20 seconds at speeds as much as 35 mph, and there are not any handbook latches to fuss with. You simply pull on one of many switches and wait till the system chimes to let you already know the transformation is full. When in place, it is easy to overlook you are in a convertible as a result of the highest impressively silences any wind noise. You additionally will not hear any creaking when cornering or driving over tough pavement.
The CLE additional advantages from the most recent MBUX infotainment system. It is simple to make use of and has among the greatest voice recognition instructions on the market. The augmented actuality overlays in the principle touchscreen and within the accessible head-up show made navigating by means of the complicated island roundabouts stress-free, leaving little or no guesswork. Wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are customary and pair properly with the rubberized wi-fi charging pad tucked away within the middle console. There’s additionally enough house for drinks and private results, however on an extended highway journey, you may want a bit more room for snacks and the like.
The rear seats – now accessible by means of a leather-based pull on the seat backrest – took some shimmying to entry with the highest up, however as soon as located, there was simply sufficient house again there for my 5-foot-10 body. My head was bumping into the headliner, however my legs weren’t squeezed up towards my chest. I would be effective as a rear-seat passenger for shorter journeys, however I might see myself getting cramped after half-hour or so.
You may undoubtedly transport three average-sized pals with the top-down in relative consolation, however getting all of their baggage stowed could also be problematic regardless of decent-sounding quantity figures of 13.6 cubic-feet with the highest down and 10.4 cu-ft with it stowed. By my visible estimation, it is best to solely have the ability to squeeze in two carry-on curler baggage and never a lot else. The rear seatbacks do fold down to supply a slender pass-through, however bigger objects must be loaded by means of the passenger compartment.
For many events, the rear seats will likely be helpful when wanted, however in any other case, the CLE makes for a wonderful tourer for a luxury-minded couple. After many hours on the highway, I handed again the keys with little or no fatigue and an total mellow angle. To me, that is exactly what the CLE ought to accomplish. It takes little or no effort to log a whole bunch of miles and the shortage of top-down buffeting means you may arrive feeling and looking contemporary, if a bit sunburnt.
The 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class is likely one of the best convertibles to reside with, although contemplating how few there are, that assertion might not maintain as a lot weight because it used to. Its bigger, sportier and costlier SL-Class sibling delivers the same driving expertise, but it surely’s far much less versatile as a consequence of its restricted cargo and rear seat house.
The BMW 4 Collection convertible is priced equally to the CLE and beneficial properties a bonus for its extra partaking driving expertise, however its frontal styling continues to vex. The bigger 8 Collection is extra in league with the dear Mercedes SL. Audi additionally has some open-air selections with the A5 and S5, however this ageing pair’s efficiency, luxurious and expertise trails its German rivals. Porsche stays within the convertible sport with the tiny Boxster and dear 911, however their concentrate on sporty dynamics usually has them interesting to a unique class of consumers.
Because it stands, the 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class is the very best luxurious convertible for many drivers. It delicately balances consolation with efficiency whereas delivering all the newest tech options. Hopefully, its attraction will develop if the coupe’s AMG powertrain is made accessible as a cabriolet, however there is no official phrase on that but.
