All-new model makes choosing which Mercedes-Benz coupé to go for that bit easier than before On sale November Price from £53,000 (est)
Matt Saunders matt.saunders@haymarket.com
AT A TIME when Mercedes-Benz is paring back its combustion-engined line-up to make space for electric cars, the new CLE feels like a bit of a last hurrah for the old ways.
An indulgent, petrol-powered coupé, it replaces not just one model but two. The theory is that buyers of the old C-Class Coupé now have a slightly larger, more practical machine to upgrade to, without a huge leap in price, while E-Class Coupé fans can move over to something as elegant and desirable as their old car, and a little bit more dynamic to drive.
Two versions will be offered at launch in the UK: the CLE 300, which has a 255bhp 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, and the 375bhp 3.0-litre six-cylinder petrol CLE 450. Both come exclusively with Mercedes’ 4Matic four-wheel drive system and a nine-speed automatic gearbox. A plug-in hybrid CLE 300e is expected to follow later, but there are no plans for a diesel variant in the UK.
The engine in the CLE 300 (the version we’ve driven so far) sounds slightly agricultural at idle, and perhaps a touch unworthy of a super-desirable coupé for sheer aural charm. It’s not all that keen on revving much beyond 4000rpm, either, so it doesn’t make this car feel especially fast.
However, helped by mild hybrid electrical assistance, it works well in normal day-to-day driving. The engine incorporates a 48-volt electric motor, which makes for assured acceleration when you ask for a quick burst of power, plus it keeps the gearbox from needing to hunt for the right gear.
This all makes for a relaxing experience, as does the fact that the engine’s voice quietens down at a cruise. Noise levels are generally low, even though the car’s large, 20in wheels and low-profile tyres can kick up a bit of a fuss on some surfaces.
While the CLE handles in a more tautly controlled and agile manner than the outgoing E-Class Coupé, it’s still a comfort-first kind of car. Adaptive suspension and a four-wheel steering system are optional, and you’ll no doubt want to specify the latter if you like a sense of incisiveness about the handling of your car. It also promises to aid manoeuvr
