Shaped by Desire: The New Mercedes-Benz CLE

Mercedes-Benz continues its long tradition of sporty, elegant dream cars with a new, independent series. The new CLE Coupé uses the conceptual and technical innovations of the C-Class and E-Class. With its expressive design, exclusive comfort equipment for maximum individuality and confident, sporty driving performance, the new two-door car goes it’s way.

The market launch of the CLE Coupé will start in Europe in November. The CLE Cabriolet will follow next year for open-air connoisseurs. With the new dream car series, Mercedes-Benz is fulfilling the wishes of many customers in the C and E class segments.

Iconic design: Long wheelbase, a well-positioned and strongly inclined A-pillar, a short front and a slightly longer rear body overhang, pronounced shoulders and large wheels. There has always been a special magic inherent in these proportions, which are inextricably linked to the Mercedes-Benz brand.

The new CLE Coupé combines these sporty, elegant proportions with the modern design language of Mercedes-Benz. True to the Mercedes-Benz design philosophy of Sensual Purity, the result is a sculpture full of power and dynamism that embodies an emotional statement from every perspective.

Athletic appearance: The progressively forward-leaning front section (“shark nose”) with a low-slung bonnet, flat LED headlights with a unique design and the newly designed, three-dimensional radiator grille ensure an athletic yet exquisite appearance. The strongly contoured power domes on the long hood refer to powerful engines with up to six cylinders.

In the side view, a distinctively shaped edge structures the powerful volume. This character line runs from the headlight to the exterior mirror and from the rear light to the door handle. Flowing surfaces, smooth transitions, two-part LED lights with new contours, and three-dimensional light bodies characterise the muscular rear.

Plenty of space: At 4,850 millimetres long, 1,860 millimetres wide and 1,428 millimetres high, the new two-door is the largest coupé in the mid-size segment. With its dimensional concept – particularly the 25-millimetre longer wheelbase – the CLE Coupé offers significantly more space than the C-Class Coupé.

The rear passengers, in particular, benefit from 10 millimetres more headroom, 19 millimetres more shoulder and elbow room and 72 millimetres more knee room. The trunk volume offers 60 litres more and can easily hold three golf bags.

Sporty luxury: Eye-catchers in the interior are the free-standing 12.3-inch, fully digital instrument display, the 11.9-inch, driver-oriented central display in user-friendly portrait format and the dynamic ambient lighting featuring 64 colours.

If desired, it can extend from the centre console to beneath the outer air vents. A strip of light runs along the contours of the armrest and beltline to the rear of each door. Another highlight is the front seats in integral sport design, developed exclusively for the CLE.

In conjunction with the optional Burmester® 3D surround sound system, they each have two loudspeakers at the level of the headrests and thus create a particular individual and immersive music experience with Dolby Atmos and Spatial Audio close to the ears.

Specific EASY-ENTRY function: For the first time at Mercedes-Benz, the front seats are not unlocked using a lever but with an elegant Nappa leather loop. It is conveniently located at the upper edge of the backrest.

Latest MBUX generation: The CLE Coupé adopts numerous digital innovations from the new E-Class. With the new electronics architecture and the third generation of the MBUX infotainment system, it is the most intelligent coupé with the star. It offers an exceptionally interactive entertainment experience with third-party apps and a new level of personalisation with automated convenience functions (routines).

Electrified driving experience: The new CLE Coupé sets standards in efficiency thanks to systematic electrification and intelligent downsizing. All engines are mild hybrids with an integrated starter generator and a 48-volt electrical system.

There is a choice of four-cylinder units and – as the most powerful engine – a 3.0-litre straight-six petrol engine (Mercedes-Benz CLE 450 4MATIC provisional figures: combined fuel consumption (WLTP): 8.6-7.8 l/100 km; combined CO₂ emissions (WLTP): 196-176 g/km)[1].

Sporty and comfortable driving pleasure: The chassis is lowered by 15 millimetres as standard. The optional DYNAMIC BODY CONTROL, with continuously adjustable damping on the front and rear axles in combination with rear-axle steering, both offered in the Technology package, ensures particularly agile and, at the same time, comfortable driving pleasure.

The steering angle is up to 2.5 degrees. This reduces the turning circle by 50 centimetres. Despite its larger dimensions, the CLE Coupé with rear-wheel drive has a smaller turning circle than the C-Class Coupé (10.7 instead of 11.2 metres).

Extensive safety: Numerous driver assistance systems, some of which have been further developed, offer situation-specific support for more security. The extensive standard equipment includes ATTENTION ASSIST, Active Brake Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Speed Limit Assist, and the parking package with reversing camera. In Western Europe, Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC is also standard equipment.

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