Performance with style; opulence with raw vehicular dominance. When it comes to blending the luxurious with pure automotive power, few do it like Mercedes-Benz. In typical Mercedes fashion, when the company combined its C and E-Class lineups in 2023 into the CLE grand tourer – consisting of both a coupe and convertible options – the result was a fresh take on the automaker’s classic swagger.
With the CLE, Mercedes has truthfully clung to its roots in high performance and world-class handling, upon which the company has built its brand. Taking inspiration from its C and E-Class lines, Mercedes equipped the CLE with an impressive 2.0L Inline-4 turbo with mild hybrid drive, featuring additional turbo and electric boosts for seamless transitions. Indeed, even the base CLE300 makes upwards of 255 hp with 295 lbs of torque – with the CLE 450 clocking in at 375 hp – making both coupe and convertible vehicle versions outstanding road cars.
Both cars are equipped with a 48-volt mild hybrid, allowing extra power from electric sources, making transitions in ECO mode much more manageable. Keeping with Mercedes’s high-performance history, the CLE Coupe and Cabriolet come standard with a 9G-TRONIC 9-speed all-drive transmission with column selector and paddle shifting, making retaining control even on hazardous road tops a snap.
A long wheelbase and aerodynamic frame provide ample interior space while maintaining a sleek hunter’s profile. The standard Panorama roof allows drivers to take in the Emerald Coast sunshine while luxuriating in the delicate upholstery, a network of 64 colors of LEDs for custom cabin lighting, or customizing their driving experience via the car’s 12.3-inch instrument cluster and 11.9-inch multimedia touchscreen – with other packages including vented and massage seats, and other extras.
For those looking to take the top down on their drive, the CLE Cabriolet – a fantastic convertible option – is their best bet for the irregularity of Emerald Coast weather. This stunning convertible features a fabric top comprised of triple-layer acoustic fabric and Mercedes’ innovative AIRSCARF® neck airflow system, making your perfect top-down temperature easier than ever. Built upon the same chassis and engine specifications as the CLE Coupe, the Cabriolet keeps its high-performance chops while cutting the image of the laid-back seaside cruiser.
Even with the new CLE coming with an already-formed sense of style and grit, drivers looking for even more attitude can also opt for the additional AMG Line upgrade – allowing more muscular styles, AMG wheels, a sport-tuned suspension, and sporty interior detailing.
Whether to hit the road with a top or without – the CLE is a testament to world-class performance and head-turning automotive design. From stylish bodywork to high-tech gadgetry – and engine specs to die for – you can’t hit the road wrong in a Mercedes-Benz CLE.
