Exclusive: Mercedes-Benz CLE Cabriolet First Drive Review

Cool breeze running through your hair, a responsive throttle below your right foot, cushioned seatback at just the right angle holding up your back, your favourite song streaming through the Burmester sound system – competing for your ears’ attention with a melodious 6-cylinder, and a warm ‘wind scarf’ holding the slight nip in the air, at bay. Sounds about perfect? Add the car’s gorgeous spectral blue paint shade mirroring an azure sky – and it’s like a cherry on top. I got my hands on the recently introduced Mercedes-Benz CLE Cabriolet a few days ago in Europe. I say recently introduced because the convertible avatar just joined the global portfolio alongside its coupé alter-ego a few weeks back.

What Is The CLE?

The CLE is an all-new model and essentially combines two previous model lines – the C-Class Coupé/Cabriolet and the same bodystyle twins on the E-Class line. In some ways you could argue it also fills the gap created by the demise of the CLS last year – though that was always a 4-door car. That the CLE may come to India was expected. But that Mercedes-Benz India would choose the cabrio over the coupé was a darned surprise – albeit a happy one.

Okay that context-setting gyaan out of the way, let’s get to the car itself. My test car is the range-topper, which means the CLE 450 4MATIC Cabrio. And while India may get that or the AMG avatar that comes out later this year, the innings will likely begin with the CLE 300 4MATIC. There are five variants in all, and the only one with six cylinders is the 450. The 4MATIC or all-wheel-drive is standard on this and the 300 variant. So the variants are:

Mercedes-Benz CLE: Exterior

The car is a smidge longer than the previous E-Class cabriolet, is exactly as wide, and almost the same height too. But is admittedly sexier! The long hood and side flanks emphasize the length, even though its wheelbase is a tad shorter than the last E-Class cabrio’s. The lighting treatment is nicely done, and so the car looks every bit the high-end and premium ride it is supposed to. But its face is very much like the C-Class sedan’s. The taut rear end is very different however, and completes a beautifully designed car on the whole, with a stance that says ready for action. And this despite the fact that this is NOT a sports car.

Mercedes-Benz CLE: Interior

The big surprise is how comfortable and dare I say roomy, the rear seat is. Equipment includes Burmester sound, multiple airbags, 12.3-ich virtual cluster and 11.9-inch portrait layout infotainment touchscreen, the latest MBUX with intuitive AI that helps follow along to your routine, and that ‘Air-Scarf’ which basically send warm air around your neck from vents in the headrest so you stay warm even if the top is down and the weather is chilly.

Optional equipment also includes the dynamic suspension and a head-up display. That vertical touchscreen can be adjusted for angle to avoid glare when the roof is folded down.

Mercedes-Benz CLE: Performance

The performance of the CLE is very well balanced. It has the power, the dynamics and the braking to give you a thrilling and fun ride. But this is also about comfort and elegance, and so it will not scream or slide like the SL for instance. But let’s save that for the AMG CLE 53 4MATIC+, shall we?

The ‘regular car’ though has great road manners. You would never find yourself wanting for performance, and yet if you needed to make some quick manoeuvres there is the boost function.

This is the on-board 48-volt mild-hybrid system that offers an extra 23 bhp of power for quick acceleration or overtaking, an d also gives you an additional 205 Nm of torque boost too.

That is very meaty and gives the car more heft, figuratively speaking – regardless of the variant.

The CLE is very supple in its ride quality, and surprisingly comfortable in the back too. The leg and shoulder room is great, since this is a 4-seater, and so the rear is not designed for three anyway. Getting in can be a bit cumbersome, and gets. A lot easier when the roof is folded down. That roof takes 20 seconds to operate up or down.

Mercedes-Benz CLE: Verdict

The CLE is not for everyone, and is certainly not going to be affordable as a CBU. But what it will give its buyer is a unique car – especially in a world where convertibles are disappearing.

The car is not simply unique for its body type, but also for its sense of luxury, glamour, and material quality. It is also loaded with tech, has a great design, and amps up the lux quotient too. Now the question is – since Mercedes-Benz has opted to go with the 300 4MATIC and not the 450 4MATIC, will we get a relatively attractive pricing strategy?