New Mercedes-Benz CLE is Shaped by Desire

Bennett  Oghifo

Mercedes-Benz is continuing its long tradition of sporty, elegant dream cars with a new, independent series. 

According to a statement by the automaker, the new CLE Coupe uses the conceptual and technical innovations of the C-Class and E-Class. With its expressive design, exclusive comfort features for maximum individuality and confident, sporty driving performance, the new two-door coupe raises the bar for its segment. The 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE Coupe will arrive in U.S dealerships in early 2024. The CLE Cabriolet will follow for open-air connoisseurs.

Iconic design: The striking exterior design features a long wheelbase, well-positioned and strongly inclined A-pillar, a short front overhang and a slightly longer rear overhang, as well as pronounced shoulders and large wheel arches. The new CLE Coupe 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 powerful, dynamic design that embodies an emotional statement from every perspective.

Athletic appearance: The progressively forward-leaning front section (“shark nose”) with a low-slung hood, unique, flat LED headlights and the newly designed, three-dimensional radiator grille contribute to the athletic yet highly elegant appearance. The strongly contoured power domes on the long hood denote the powerful engines with up to six cylinders. The vehicle’s profile features a distinctive shaped edge. This character line runs from the headlight to the exterior mirror and from the taillight to the door handle. The muscular back end is characterised by flowing surfaces, smooth transitions and two-part LED taillights with new contours and three-dimensional light bodies.

Plenty of space: At 191 inches long, 73.2 inches wide and 56.2 inches high, the new two-door model is the largest coupe in the midsize segment. With its dimensional concept, including a 1 inch longer wheelbase, the CLE Coupe offers more space than the C-Class Coupe. Rear passengers benefit from 0.4 inches of additional headroom, 0.75 inches of additional shoulder and elbow room and 2.8 inches of additional knee room. The trunk volume offers 2.1 cu-ft of additional space and can easily accommodate three golf bags.

Sporty luxury: The interior features a free-standing 12.3-inch, fully digital driver display and 11.9-inch, driver-oriented central display in user-friendly portrait format. The enhanced 64-color ambient lighting, available standard, extends from the center console to beneath the outer air vents. In each of the doors, a strip of light runs along the contours of the armrest and beltline to the rear cabin. Another highlight is the front seats in integral sport design, developed exclusively for the CLE. With the standard Burmester® 3D surround sound system with Dolby Atmos®, the fronts seats are each fitted with two speakers at the level of the headrests to create an individual and immersive music experience.

Specific EASY-ENTRY function: For the first time at Mercedes-Benz, the front seats are unlocked with an elegant loop made of Nappa leather conveniently located at the upper edge of the backrest of the front seats.

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

Electrified driving experience: The available engines are exclusively mild hybrids with an integrated starter generator and 48-volt electrical system. Customers can choose from 2.0-liter four-cylinder and 3.0-liter inline-six powertrains.

Extensive safety: Numerous driver assistance systems, some of which have been further developed, offer situation-specific support for more safety. The extensive standard equipment includes ATTENTION ASSIST, Active Brake Assist and the Parking Package with reversing camera.

Classic coupe design for a sporty, elegant appearance

The new CLE Coupe: exterior design

Athletic proportions with a dynamic character line adorning the vehicle’s profile

Aerodynamic front end with pronounced “shark nose” and new headlight and radiator grille design

Powerful, seamless design at the rear and striking taillights with a visual connecting element

The new CLE Coupe embodies an emotional statement from every perspective. The sporty, elegant two-door unites proportions typical of a coupe with the modern design language of Mercedes-Benz, whose aesthetic soul is shaped by the design philosophy of Sensual Purity. This creates a sculptural appearance for the CLE Coupe, which is characterized by flowing surfaces with seamless transitions. The progressive dynamics and elegance come into their own when viewed from the side thanks to the combination of a low silhouette (56.2 in) with a long wheelbase (112.8 in), short overhangs (35 in at the front/43.2 in at the rear) and muscular shoulder. Other typical coupe features are the long hood embedded in the front end with two power domes, steeply sloping windshield and long, sloping roof towards the rear. The passenger cell, which is set back, leads to the sporty, short rear via the rear window, which is also set flat.

A distinctive shaped edge structures the powerful volume in the vehicle’s profile. This character line runs from the headlight to the exterior mirror and from the taillight to the door handle. It emphasizes the sporty proportions and powerful wheel arches. In addition, the shaped edge, together with the chrome-accented side windows, underlines the balance between elegance and dynamics. The standard variant of the CLE 300 4MATIC is fitted standard with 18-inch alloy wheels. With the AMG Line, which is standard on the CLE 450 4MATIC, 19-inch rims are equipped standard. A large selection of other alloy wheels in 18- to 20-inch sizes and ten different exterior colors enable a high degree of customization.

Expressive front: newly designed three-dimensional radiator grille

The progressively forward-leaning front section (“shark nose”) with a low-slung hood, unique, flat LED headlights and distinctive radiator grille contribute to the athletic, elegant appearance. The strongly contoured power domes on the long hood reference the powerful engines. The radiator grille has a single louver in gloss black with chrome trim and a central star. Behind it shines a newly designed, three-dimensional chrome grille with a Mercedes-Benz pattern. The downward-opening silhouette of the radiator grille (A-shape design) also emphasizes the powerful forward drive of the CLE Coupe. Together with the chrome frame around the gloss black central air intake in the front fascia, it contributes to the sporty aesthetic.

The CLE Coupe has LED High Performance headlights with a newly designed trifunctional light for daytime running lights, position lights and direction indicators as standard. DIGITAL LIGHT headlights with and without projection function are available as optional equipment. These have two daytime running light ellipses and blue illumination of the headlight base for an unmistakable look that further reinforces the dynamic appearance. A light animation to welcome and say goodbye to passengers is available with the optional DIGITAL LIGHT headlights.

Powerful rear: Distinctive LED lights with three-dimensional light bodies

The powerful rear is characterised by flowing surfaces and smooth transitions. Another highlight is the two-part LED taillights with new contours and three-dimensional light bodies. The taillights are connected with a dark red design element. Like the classic chrome strip on the bumper, it emphasizes the width of the rear. On the standard CLE 300 4MATIC, C-shaped trim parts enclose the chrome trim strip like a clasp.