New Mercedes-Benz CLE Cabriolet Drops Its Top In High Style

Debuting earlier this week is the new Mercedes-Benz CLE Cabriolet. Based on the new CLE Coupe, this is aptly the open-top version to which.

Having shown us its all-new CLE in both traditional coupe and hotter AMG-tuned version of which prior, the renowned three-point star marque has expanded said model’s range this week with the debut of the new Mercedes-Benz CLE Cabriolet version.

Bearing the A236 chassis code, this new Cabriolet – or ‘Convertible’, if you prefer the American terminology for soft-tops as such – version of the C236 coupe chassis brings a stylish open-top twist to successor of the C-Class and E-Class Coupe/Cabriolet that preceded it.

According to Mercedes-Benz, the CLE Cabriolet's electric roof takes just 20 seconds to retract or deploy, and it can do so on the move up to 60 KM/H too.

According to Mercedes-Benz, the CLE Cabriolet’s electric-powered roof takes just 20 seconds to retract or deploy, and it can do so on the move up to speeds of 60 KM/H too. It even has a powered roller divider that automatically separates the folded soft top from the remaining boot space.

Despite the latter, boot space does shrink form 385 litres to just 295 litres with the soft-top retracted and stowed. This, however, is expected in luxury mid-sized open-top grand tourers as such. Obviously, there’s more things to look forward to elsewhere in the CLE Cabriolet.

Deflectors - one in front, and another in the rear - help to direct airflow and mitigate air turbulence away from occupants, thus making top-down driving in colder weather much comfier.

Keeping occupants in high comforts with the top down is an Aircap system that deploys a wind deflector from the top of the windscreen, and this can be toggled by just the touch of a button. This effectively redirects airflow over the occupants’ heads.

Whilst the front deflector helps deflect airflow up front, a second wind deflector set is present behind the rear headrests and this further helps to reduce turbulence inside the cabin. In short, both these features ought to make top-down drives through colder conditions comfier.

Mercedes-Benz were keen to note that the CLE Cabriolet has a 25 MM longer wheelbase than the Coupe, and this sees it offer a more spacious rear seat.

Noteworthy too is the novel sun-reflecting leather upholstery and nappa leather seats which, as Mercedes claims, were developed to reflect near-infrared rays and stays much cooler than regular leather, even under direct sunlight.

As for size and dimensions, it’s worth noting that the CLE Cabriolet has a 2,865 MM wheelbase, which is 25 MM longer than the Coupe. According to Mercedes-Benz, this allows the CLE Cabriolet to house comfier rear seats over the C-Class Cabriolet by offering 72 MM more knee room.

The rest of the cabin appears to mirror what we’ve seen in the base coupe, featuring a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation and 11.9-inch MBUX portrait infotainment touchscreen. The latter can also tilt from 15 degrees to 40 degrees to prevent distracting glare when the top is down.

The rest of the CLE Cabriolet's cabin appears similar to the Coupe. The 11.9-inch MBUX infotainment screen here however can tilt from 15- to 40-degree angles as a means to mitigate distracting glare when the top is down.

Moreover, discerning customers should find comfortable relief from the sun-reflecting leather upholstery and nappa leather seats. Both feature a special coating to reflect near-infrared rays and help keep the leather up to 12 degrees Celsius cooler than regular leather in direct sunlight.

Other notable features brimmed in the cabin include an Airscarf neck level heating system primed as standard kit, whereas bot dynamic ambient lighting and 17-speaker Burmester 3D surround audio suite – with headrest speakers – are available as cost-options.

Like the Coupe version, there are four MHEV powertrain options - 3 petrol and 1 diesel - available. The peppiest is a 3.0-litre straight-six wit AWD that makes 375 HP and 500 NM to enable 0-100 KM/H sprints in 4.7 secs.

On to the powertrain and, predictably, things are similar as the Coupe here featuring three mild-hybrid (MHEV) turbocharged petrol choices plus a sole 2.0-litre diesel option. The latter oil-burner offers up 194 HP and 440 NM to enable 0-100 KM/H dashes in 7.9 seconds as a 234 KM/H V-Max.

A 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo petrol choice with 201 HP and 320 NM powers the base CLE 200 guise, this can be option with either rear- (RWD) or all-wheel-drive (AWD). A peppier version of this mill with 255 HP and 400 NM is also available, boasting a 6.6-second century sprint ability and 250 KM/H V-Max.

Initial European sale has begun with deliveries slated to begin in late April this year. Entry into other global markets is slated to commence right after which.

Capping things off is the CLE 450 4Matic guise which, like the Coupe version, harnesses a 3.0-litre in-line 6-cyl turbo delivering 375 HP and a meatier 500 NM of twist. This powertrain choice, which has AWD too, sees 0-100 KM/H sprints despatched in just 4.7 seconds whilst V-Max is capped at 250 KM/H.

With this debut, the CLE Cabriolet is now open for orders in Europe, with initial deliveries slated to begin in late April. Following which, the model is poised to debut in other global markets. Expect the upcoming AMG-tuned version to share similarly enhanced powertrains and style as the Coupe.