A beautiful carriage, but only the entry-level engine for the test of the Mercedes CLE. Let’s see if I survive that.
Before you wonder what a CLE is, here’s the answer. Previously, Mercedes-Benz had three coupes in the price list. That was apparently too much of a good thing and the broom went through it well. In fact, all three will not return: the S-class coupe will not even get a successor at all. The C-class and E-class coupe find their joint successor in this CLE. Apparently it was necessary to choose a new name, where it is confusing that CLA and CLS both have four doors and this CLE does not.
A history of beautiful coupes
There are a number of things that they do quite well at the Mercedes group: diesel engines and V8 monsters are just a few examples. She also succeeds wonderfully in drawing an elegant, lined coupe. Digging into my memory, perhaps only the 90s Mercedes-Benz CL (there are those letters again) is not necessarily the most beautiful car, but it is an impressive car. Otherwise, read the overview of a number of beautiful Mercedes-Benz coupes again.
The CLE has a long wheelbase, far forward and strongly sloping A-pillar, short front overhang, nice large rims and a Shark Nose. Especially the Mercedes-Benz CLE from the test with the nice red color just looks good. The ladies at home were also unanimous: nice car.
Significantly more spacious than the C-Class Coupé
Since the CLE replaces both the C-class and E-class coupe, a comparison with both is not surprising. It is interesting that Mercedes-Benz makes the comparison with the C, because with a length of 4.85 m, the CLE is longer than the E-class coupe. In terms of interior space, the CLE is significantly more spacious than the C-class coupe, but you do lose legroom in the back seat compared to the E-class coupe.
The space in the back seat is not really important, children can sit there just fine. The trunk is spacious enough for a stroller or three golf bags (which suits the target group better).
engines
For our patented Car Whiz Entry Service, we chose the most competitively priced Mercedes-Benz CLE200 in this test. However, there are still some choices to be made in the FAME (Family of Modular Engines) engine family and the six-cylinders also fit in the front. All engines are mild hybrids with an integrated 2nd generation starter alternator and a 48V on-board network.
The version we will see least in the Netherlands is undoubtedly the 200 hp CLE 220d. The petrol engines include the CLE 53 AMG 449 hp / 600 Nm, CLE 450 381 hp / 500 Nm and the CLE 300 258 hp / 400 Nm. Mercedes-Benz has also announced that a plug-in hybrid version is coming, which could be quite interesting for the Dutch market.
The CLE 200
In the past I have driven an E200 from Das Haus and that was no pleasure. Sticking a fork into your eyeball was sometimes more satisfying, but considering the price tag, the (perceptual) lack of speed made me quite unhappy. It’s like trying to get an adolescent to hurry up for an appointment that he or she doesn’t want to attend.
Fortunately, they have also seen the light in Stuttgart, for the money they dare (or have to) ask for a CLE 200, it can still drive a bit OK. In fact, the mild hybrid era seems to be helping us here. The ISG (starter-generator) delivers 17 kW/23 hp and 200Nm and is available at strategic times. Such as when starting off or the intermediate sprint. The first push comes faster than expected, after which the combustion engine, as it were, catches up.
The Mercedes-Benz CLE 200 has a total power of 204 hp and a torque of 320 Nm. The sprint to 100 takes only 7.4 seconds and the top speed is 240 km/h.
Enjoy the interior
There are few complaints about the interior, although there is still something to be desired. The dashboard resembles that of the C-class sedan, then that of the E-class. No superscreen or hyperscreen, but just two separate screens. The Mercedes CLE does have the new electronics architecture and the third generation MBUX infotainment software underneath.
The 12.3″ large instrument cluster (i.e. the counters) and the standard 11.9″ large central display work well together and have many options. New, for example, are apps such as TikTok, Zoom, Webex and Angry Birds, which can only be used while stationary.
Price, competition and conclusion
The time was great when you could have a lot of choice just at the Mercedes-Benz dealer. Depending on your budget, there were three coupes, some convertibles and the famous four-door coupes to choose from. Thanks to the EU (electrification and strict safety requirements), manufacturers are forced to thin out the product range considerably. This is not only the case with Mercedes-Benz, but also with the competition.
Another law is that cars have become expensive very quickly in Europe in general and in the Netherlands. A Mercedes-Benz CLE 200 costs just under 70 grand, the car in the test was even 83 grand. But as the saying goes, “better expensive than not for sale”.
The Volvo C70 had to be retired a long time ago, as did the Lexus RC, but the other Germans are still (partly) holding on. The Audi A5 is now a tired sandwich, but some people like a little more experience and a more mature product. Those people do not have to call the local Audi center, because the A5 has been quietly removed from the price list as a coupe.
There is still something coming from Munich: the BMW 420i is 9cm smaller, 11 grand cheaper, but will not win everyone’s heart with the large grille. And to be honest: you don’t buy a coupe because it is so cheap and the Mercedes CLE makes you greedy.
Comments
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mat1980 say
The backrests of the front seats have the shape of an open vulva! With the inner and outer lips.
To have!-
DeWitteCondor say
Taking a seat feels like coming home.
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Svenska II say
If I were you, I would send your wife/girlfriend to the doctor…
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DeWitteCondor say
I think it’s a nice car, but not in this color and certainly not with these rims. I think 70k is a bit crazy, but what else is new. In itself it is nice that a new coupe is being launched.
I understand that they have reduced the c and e coupe to 1 model. There is no need for 2 models for that and I (instinctively) saw very little of the C coupe in relation to the E, but the naming is indeed clumsy.
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Johanneke say
1690 kilos of holy moly. It’s a long car, yes, but wow, that’s heavy.
Beautiful design. Elegant cars, you don’t see that much anymore with all those clumsy high booths.
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water wet say
I would take the 2 series coupe. Better, from 50k (80k for the 240i) and in practice there is hardly any difference in interior space…
