- Extensive standard equipment with AIRCAP®, AIRSCARF®, Burmester® 3D Surround Sound System and third generation MBUX infotainment
- Smooth, powerful 48-volt mild hybrid engines
- Sophisticated aerodynamics for optimized comfort and aeroacoustics
- First Mercedes-Benz Cabriolet with separate head airbag for rear passengers as standard
The breathtaking CLE Cabriolet is the latest four-seat, open-top dream car from Mercedes-Benz. Arriving in U.S. dealerships in spring 2024 and starting at $64,3501, the 2024 CLE Cabriolet combines dynamic driving enjoyment with everyday comfort. The CLE Cabriolet joins the recently introduced CLE Coupe and brings its own unique character, from the classic acoustic soft top to available leather seats with a special reflective coating to stay cool on the warmest days. The Cabriolet features extensive standard equipment, including the AIRCAP® electric wind deflector system, AIRSCARF®, Burmester® 3D Surround Sound, third generation Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment and more.
Thanks to a 1-inch longer wheelbase, the CLE Cabriolet is significantly more spacious than the previous C-Class Cabriolet. Rear passengers benefit from 0.6-inches more leg room, 0.9-inches more shoulder room and 0.7-inches more elbow room. The trunk features 13.6 cubic feet of space when the soft top is up and 10.4 cubic feet with the top down. Cargo space can be further increased by deploying the 60:40 split folding rear seat backrests.
Interior design
The interior of the CLE Cabriolet features a freestanding 12.3-inch digital driver display and 11.9-inch driver-oriented central display in portrait format. The tilt of the central display can be electrically adjusted from 15 to 40 degrees to prevent reflections caused by sunlight. Another highlight of the interior is the dynamic ambient lighting. Bands of light sweep from the instrument panel over the doors and rear side panels to behind the rear seats. This is further complimented with the chrome trim accents that span the entire passenger compartment.
On hot days, a special coating on the available leather upholstery enables seat surfaces to remain cooler in direct sunlight by up to 53 degrees Fahrenheit compared to untreated leather. The front seats developed exclusively for the CLE have an integral sports seat design. In conjunction with the standard Burmester® 3D Surround Sound System, the driver’s seat features speakers integrated into the headrest for an immersive audio experience with the available Dolby Atmos and Spatial Audio. This premium sound system utilizes 17 speakers in total with an output of 710 watts – a 120-watt increase compared to the previous generation system.
MBUX infotainment
The third generation MBUX infotainment offers an expandable portfolio of in-car apps, as well as the new Routines function, which enables customers to personalize the CLE to their individual habits by automating comfort features. Customers can choose from templates for standard routines, including “Cold Days,” which turns seat heating on when a certain ambient outdoor temperature is reached, as well as create new routines by linking several comfort functions and conditions via the central display.
Suspension and powertrain
Comfort suspension, lowered by 0.6 inches compared to the previous C-Class Cabriolet, is equipped standard on the CLE 300 4MATIC, combining a supremely comfortable ride with sporty handling. Available Sport suspension with continuously adaptive damping (standard on CLE 450 4MATIC) provides a wide range of driving experiences – from comfortable to highly dynamic. The driver can choose between a comfortable or firmer, sportier setup, in conjunction with the engine, transmission and steering characteristics, via the DYNAMIC SELECT controls.
The 48-volt mild hybrid powertrains deliver a smooth, powerful driving experience. An integrated starter-generator (ISG) provides support at lower engine speeds, in addition to gliding and recuperation functions. The CLE 300 4MATIC is fitted with a 2.0-liter Inline-4 turbocharged engine, while the CLE 450 4MATIC is equipped with a 3.0-liter Inline-6 turbocharged unit.
|
|
CLE 300 4MATIC |
CLE 450 4MATIC |
|
| Displacement |
cc |
1,999 |
2,999 |
| Output |
hp |
255 |
375 |
| at |
rpm |
5,800 |
5,800-6,100 |
| Torque |
lb-ft |
295 |
369 |
| at |
rpm |
2,000-3,200 |
1,800-5,000 |
| ISG output |
hp |
23 |
23 |
| ISG torque |
lb-ft |
151 |
151 |
| Acceleration 0-60 mph |
s |
6.2 (est.) |
4.2 (est.) |
| Top speed (electronically limited) |
mph |
130 |
130 |
Sophisticated aerodynamics
Open-top models such as the CLE Cabriolet face unique challenges in aerodynamic development. In addition to low aerodynamic drag, wind noise and the reduction of draughts for all four passengers are also a priority. The standard AIRSCARF® and AIRCAP® systems have been further developed for maximum comfort, making open-top driving in cool weather more pleasant than ever. The AIRSCARF® produces a warm flow of air around the neck area of front-seat occupants – even in windy conditions.
The AIRCAP® electric wind deflector system features a wind deflector on the windshield to direct airflow over occupants’ heads, along with an automatic wind deflector behind the rear headrests. Extensive fine-tuning in the wind tunnel led to an optimized design of the AIRCAP® system. Airflow is largely responsible for the final design. This applies to the louver geometry, design of the radii and shapes in detail, the flow through the mesh fabric and the interaction with the rear wind deflector. Artificial heads and near-field microphones record all sounds precisely, while instruments for analyzing draughts measure air currents close to occupants.
The acoustic soft top reduces wind and road noise thanks to a multi-layer structure with extensive insulation. The power operated top opens or closes in as little as 20 seconds and can be operated at vehicle speeds up to 37 mph. The soft top system is subjected to even higher speeds in wind tunnel testing to ensure the design functions reliably even in strong headwinds. No twisting or turning of any components is allowed and the entire system must seal acoustically. This includes the kinematics with its many moving parts, gasket joints, side windows and guides. Another new element of the soft top design is the seamless one-piece cover as the outer closure. In order to capture the acoustic contribution of the soft top, all body joints right up to the door handles are meticulously masked, which enables the soft top to retain its properties, even at a top speed of 130 mph.
Special considerations for driving in wet weather are also integrated into the design of the CLE Cabriolet. Unlike a coupe with a fixed roof, the Cabriolet’s soft top does not incorporate rain gutters or moldings. Instead, the windshield frame, A-pillars and exterior mirror covers are precisely sculpted to channel rainwater to help maximize exterior visibility.
Exterior design
Like the CLE Coupe, the CLE Cabriolet features a powerful, athletic exterior – from the aerodynamic “shark nose” front end to the seamless rear design. The forward-leaning front end with low-slung hood and unique flat LED headlights lead to a newly designed, three-dimensional chrome grille with a Mercedes-Benz pattern. A highlight at the rear of the vehicle is the two-part LED taillights with new contours and three-dimensional light bodies.
The AMG Line package (optional on CLE 300 4MATIC, standard on CLE 450 4MATIC) adds AMG exterior design elements and performance equipment ranging from larger brake discs on the front axle to an AMG front bumper with sport air intakes and chrome trim elements, as well as an exhaust system with two visible tailpipe trim elements integrated into the bumper and sporty engine sound. The package also introduces a number of distinctive interior elements including, a multifunction sports steering wheel in Nappa leather with horizontal twin-spokes and flat bottom, AMG brushed stainless steel sports pedals with black rubber studs, climate control vents with silver chrome accents, door trim in high-gloss black with silver chrome accents, among other unique details.
Customers can further personalize the CLE Cabriolet with the available Night Package, an array of exterior paints, including four new MANUFAKTUR colors, as well as a variety of wheels in sizes up to 20-inches.
First Mercedes-Benz Cabriolet with separate head airbag for rear passengers
Thanks to specifically reinforced bodyshell structures, the CLE Cabriolet offers a high level of structural safety even without a fixed roof. The comprehensive standard safety equipment includes 11 airbags with a new center airbag between the two front seats and, for the first time in a Mercedes-Benz Cabriolet, a head protection system with two separate head airbags for the rear passengers.
Numerous advanced driver assistance systems, including Blind Spot Assist, Active Brake Assist and ATTENTION ASSIST, are among the extensive standard equipment on the CLE Cabriolet. The available Driver Assistance Package offers expanded functionality with Active Lane Change Assist, DISTRONIC PLUS with Steering Assist and Stop & Go Assist, Route-Based Speed Adaptation, in addition to other safety and assistance technology.
Trim levels at a glance
| Standard Features | Pinnacle Trim |
|
CLE 300 4MATIC Cabriolet: $64,3501 |
CLE 300 4MATIC Cabriolet: $66,9501 |
Highlights Include:
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Highlights Include:
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