The new Mercedes CLE has a big responsibility. It might play the part of the replacement for four models that have simply vanished from the carmaker’s lineup: the C-Class Coupe and Convertible and the E-Class Coupe and Convertible.
The new Mercedes CLE Coupe is not positioned between the C-Class Coupe and E-Class Coupe but is larger than both coupe models it replaces. Thus, at 4,850 mm long, the Mercedes CLE Coupe is 164 mm and 15 mm longer than the C-Class Coupe and E-Class Coupe respectively.
The width of 1,860 mm is also 50 mm wider than the C-Class Coupe and identical to the E-Class Coupe. The height of 1428 mm is 23 mm higher than the C-Class Coupe but 2 mm lower than the E-Class Coupe.
In contrast, the wheelbase of 2,865 mm is placed between that of the C-Class Coupe (+25 mm) and E-Class Coupe (-8 mm).
Thus, the Mercedes CLE Coupe is 82 mm longer than the BMW 4 Series Coupe and has a 14 mm longer wheelbase.
| CLE Coupe | Diff to C-Class Coupe | Diff to E-Class Coupe | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Length | mm | 4,850 | +164 | +15 |
| Width | mm | 1,860 | +50 | 0 |
| Height | mm | 1,428 | +23 | -2 |
| Wheelbase | mm | 2,865 | +25 | -8 |
| Front overhang | mm | 888 | +98 | +38 |
| Rear overhang | mm | 1,097 | +41 | -15 |
| Track width front/rear | mm | 1,605/1,616 | +38/+68 | 0/+7 |
Mercedes promises generous interior space. At 1,070 mm, effective legroom in the front is 2, respectively 7 mm greater than in the C-Class Coupe/E-Class Coupe while in the rear, effective legroom is 56 mm greater than in the C-Class Coupe and 43 mm less than in the E-Class Coupe.
| CLE Coupe | Diff. to C-Class Coupe | Diff. to E-Class Coupe | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Effective legroom in front | mm | 1,070 | +2 | +7 |
| Effective legroom in rear | mm | 869 | +56 | -43 |
| Knee room in rear | mm | 33 | +72 | -7 |
| Maximum headroom in front | mm | 1,024 | +1 | -15 |
| Maximum headroom in rear | mm | 915 | +10 | -10 |
| Shoulder room in front | mm | 1,414 | +22 | -10 |
| Shoulder room in rear | mm | 1,331 | +19 | +54 |
| Elbow room in front | mm | 1,489 | +17 | -5 |
| Elbow room in rear | mm | 1,377 | +19 | +36 |
| Trunk volume | L | 420 | +60 | -5 |
The dashboard layout is similar to the C-Class but the new coupe has a richer standard equipment. The Mercedes CLE Coupe comes standard with Avantgarde Line, 12.3-inch display for the instrument cluster and 11.9-inch portrait display for the multimedia system. Keyless Go and multicontour seats with memory function are also standard.
AMG Line is offered as optional to Avantgarde line and the instrument panel and beltlines are covered as standard in black Artico synthetic leather with a Nappa look.
All engines have a mild hybrid system on 48V more powerful second generation
At launch in Europe, the Mercedes CLE Coupe is available with 4- and 6-cylinder engines, all equipped with 48V mild hybrid system. Thanks to a new battery, the electric motor’s power has been increased from 15 to 17 kW while the torque has remained unchanged at 200 Nm.
The base version Mercedes CLE 200/CLE 200 4Matic has a 204 hp 2-liter M254 turbocharged engine running on the Miller cycle. The Miller cycle is more efficient because the intake valve already closes during the intake stroke.
The second version, Mercedes CLE 300 4Matic, uses the same 2-liter turbo engine but develops 258 hp and 400 Nm. The top version is the CLE 450 4Matic equipped with the 3-liter turbocharged inline 6-cylinder engine developing 381 hp and 500 Nm.
Mercedes also continues to offer a diesel version, the CLE 220d equipped with the new OM 654 M 2-liter turbodiesel engine developing 200 hp and 440 Nm. It has a single variable turbine geometry and is equipped with two SCR catalytic converters, NOx storage catalytic converter, and a diesel particulate filter with a special coating.
All engines are mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission and the 17 kW starter generator is no longer belt-driven but integrated into the automatic transmission housing.
| CLE 220d | CLE 200 | CLE 200 4Matic | CLE 300 4Matic | CLE 450 4Matic | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Displacement (cc) | 1,993 | 1,999 | 1,999 | 1,999 | 2,999 | |
| Max. power/revs (PS/rpm) | 200/3,600 | 204/5,800 | 204/6,100 | 258/5,800 | 381/5,800 | |
| Max. torque/revs (Nm/rpm) | 440/1,800-2,800 | 320/1,600-4,000 | 320/2,000-4,000 | 400/2,000-3,200 | 500/1,800-5,000 | |
| Additional power EG boost (PS) | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | |
| Additional torque EQ boost (Nm) | 200 | 200 | 200 | 200 | 200 | |
| Mixed fuel consumption WLTP (l/100 km) | 5.2–4.7 | 7.1-6.4 | 7.5-6.7 | 7.6-7.0 | 8.6-7.8 | |
| Mixed CO₂-emissions WLTP (g/km) | 137-123 | 162-145 | 171-153 | 173-159 | 196-176 | |
| Acceleration 0-100 km/h (s) | 7.5 | 7.4 | 7.5 | 6.2 | 4.4 | |
| Top speed (km/h) | 238 | 240 | 236 | 250 | 250 |
Suspension lowered by 15 mm as standard
Built on the MRA II platform, also used in the C, E and S-Class, the CLE Coupe has four-link front and five-link rear multilink suspension. The Mercedes CLE Coupe comes with a standard 15 mm lowered suspension compared to the C and E-Class limousines.
Optionally, a sport suspension or Dynamic Body Control package with adaptive suspension and integral steering can be configured. The steering angle of the all-wheel steering is 2.5 degrees, which reduces the turning circle by 50 cm to 11.2 meters.
