Last year, Mercedes-Benz released an out-of-class coupe CLE, designed to replace two models at once – the two-door C-Class and E-Class, occupying an intermediate position. A convertible was also announced at the same time, but its premiere took place only now.
As with the coupe, it is based on the previous two-door C-Class, although the scale of the changes is large. The new CLE convertible has grown relative to its formal predecessor: length – 4850 mm, width – 1861 mm, height – 1424 mm. Even the wheelbase has grown by 25 mm, to 2865 mm. In the cabin, there is an additional 72 mm in length for the knees of the rear riders and 19 mm in width at the level of the shoulders and elbows.
The convertible has a folding soft top, the transformation process of which takes 20 seconds and can occur at speeds of up to 60 km/h. The multi-layer roof ensures comfortable year-round operation due to the high level of noise and heat insulation. There are three roof colors to choose from – black, red and grey. The trunk volume is 385 liters with the roof up or 295 liters with the roof folded, and the backrest of the rear sofa folds in a 60:40 ratio.
Already in the “base” the CLE convertible is equipped with proprietary Aircap and Airscarf systems. The first consists of two electric retractable deflectors (on the windshield frame and behind the second-row seats), which are designed to reduce turbulence in the air flow and direct it over the heads of passengers. Well, the Mercedes “air scarf” is air ducts at the headrests of the front seats, supplying warm air to the shoulders and necks of the riders. The latest generation MBUX media system screen with a diagonal of 11.9 inches can be electrically tilted from 15 to 40 degrees to avoid annoying glare when the roof is open.
The equipment also includes a 12.3-inch diagonal instrument screen and advanced contour lighting, which is also available in the back row of seats. The optional genuine leather seat upholstery has a special coating that prevents overheating in bright sunshine. There are a total of five interior color solutions to choose from. The list of options is complemented by a Burmester audio system with seventeen speakers, four of which are located in the headrests of the front seats.
At the start of sales, four modifications of the convertible will be offered. The least powerful CLE 200 d (197 hp, 440 Nm) is equipped with a two-liter turbodiesel and rear-wheel drive. The CLE 200 (204 hp, 320 Nm) and CLE 300 (258 hp, 400 Nm) versions are powered by a two-liter petrol turbo-four. For the “200” you can choose the type of drive (rear or all-wheel drive), but the “300” has all-wheel drive by default.
The 4Matic transmission is also available in the top version of the CLE 450 with a three-liter in-line turbo six (381 hp, 500 Nm), which can accelerate the two-door to “hundreds” in 4.7 seconds. The convertible does not yet have even more powerful versions, although the coupe can already be ordered in an AMG version. All open CLEs are equipped with a nine-speed 9G-Tronic automatic transmission with a built-in 48-volt starter-generator, which adds 23 hp in the first seconds of acceleration. and 205 Nm.
The start of sales on the European market is scheduled for April this year. Prices in Germany start from 66,400 euros for the CLE 200 version, and the most powerful CLE 450 costs from 88,360 euros.
2024-02-06 19:17:03
#MercedesBenz #CLE #convertible #coupe
