The new Mercedes-Benz CLE is a svelte new two-door coupe offering upmarket four-seat motoring to style-seekers
The new Mercedes-Benz CLE will replace two cars in the firm’s line-up, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe and Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe. Interestingly, it is actually bigger than both – and longer than rivals such as the BMW 4 Series and Audi A5.
There will not be an electric Mercedes-Benz CLE. Rather, it will be powered by petrol and diesel engines, with a plug-in hybrid version arriving later. There will also be a new Mercedes-Benz CLE cabriolet, to keep sun-seekers happy.
New 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE price and release date
The new Mercedes-Benz CLE has now been released for ordering. It will be available to reserve both online and through a dealer, and it will arrive in showrooms in spring 2024.
New Mercedes-Benz CLE prices start from £46,605. This buys a new Mercedes-Benz CLE 200 AMG Line. Other variants include AMG Line Premium and Premium Plus, and a Premier Edition launch special.
New Mercedes-Benz CLE prices start from a few thousand pounds more than the BMW 4 Series and Audi A5, reflecting its larger profile and more upmarket focus. It will still undercut the outgoing Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe, though.
New 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE: exterior and interior
The new Mercedes-Benz CLE is a sleek and aerodynamic-looking machine, with elegant lines and a flowing profile. It has the family look of other new Mercedes-Benz including the C-Class saloon and E-Class saloon. A long wheelbase and short overhangs give it a more sporty stance.
At the front, the new Mercedes-Benz CLE has an angled ‘shark nose’ grille and slimline LED headlights. There are smoothly-profiled LED lights at the rear, while a bold choice of alloy wheels range from 18 inches to 20 inches in diameter. The new Mercedes-Benz CLE is available in a choice of 10 colours, both regular metallic and satin-finish paint.
The interior of the new Mercedes-Benz CLE is derived from the Mercedes-Benz C-Class. It has a comprehensive 12.3-inch freestanding digital driver’s display, and a Tesla-style portrait-format 11.9-inch centre touchscreen.
The high-tech infotainment system has a 5G data connection and a clever Android-based compatibility layer. This allows it to offer third-party apps through an in-car store, including TikTok, Zoom, the Vivaldi internet browser and even the Angry Birds game.
The new Mercedes-Benz CLE helps make all its technology easier to use through the ‘Hey Mercedes’ natural voice assistant. Other clever features include augmented reality sat nav and optional Ambient Lighting Plus that bathes the interior in light – with a choice of 64 colours.
The new Mercedes-Benz CLE has high-end front seats, with multi-contour shaping. Electronic seatbelt feeders make belting up easier. Access to the rear is by pulling a posh Nappa leather loop.
A longer wheelbase means the new Mercedes-Benz CLE has more rear seat space, including 72mm more knee room, while a 420-litre boot is 60 litres larger than the old C-Class Coupe – that’s enough room to “easily” hold three golf bags.
Overall, the new Mercedes-Benz CLE is 4850mm long, 1860mm wide and 1428mm tall.
New 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE: fuel economy and performance
The core engine in the new Mercedes-Benz CLE is a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo motor. Choose it in CLE 200 form, with 204ps, or as a 258ps CLE 300. Like all new Mercedes-Benz CLE, they have a standard 9G-Trionic nine-speed automatic gearbox.
The new Mercedes-Benz CLE 200 offers a choice of either rear-wheel drive or 4Matic all-wheel drive. The CLE 300 is only available in 4Matic guise. Both engines have a 48V mild hybrid system that helps fuel economy – the CLE 200 can average up to 44.1mpg, with CO2 emissions from 145g/km.
The new Mercedes-Benz CLE 200 will do 0-62mph in 7.4 seconds. The CLE 300 has even more performance, with 0-62mph taking 6.2 seconds.
For those who want even greater fuel economy, there is a new Mercedes-Benz CLE diesel, the C 220 d. This has a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine that produces 200ps, for 0-62mph performance in 7.5 seconds. It averages up to 60.1mpg and CO2 emissions start from just 123g/km.
The fastest new Mercedes-Benz CLE from launch is the CLE 450 4Matic. It has a 3.0-litre six-cylinder petrol engine, which produces 381ps. It does 0-62mph in 4.4 seconds, with fuel economy of up to 36.2mpg.
The new Mercedes-Benz will be available as a plug-in hybrid later in 2024. We expect a pure electric range of at least 62 miles, and it will have the ability to automatically switch into EV mode in urban areas.
The new Mercedes-Benz CLE has sportier suspension than a regular C-Class. It sits 15mm lower to the ground. Luxury-seekers will be pleased to learn comfort suspension is standard, with sports suspension – featuring selective damping – available as an option.
High-tech features for the new Mercedes-Benz CLE include Dynamic Body Control, which has continuously adaptive damping and rear axle steering. The latter helps shorten the turning circle at slow speeds, and make it feel more agile at higher speeds.
Can’t wait for a new Mercedes-Benz CLE? Time to consider an Audi A5…
The Audi A5 line-up is very comprehensive, with coupe, cabriolet and four-door Sportback models all available – the latter with a practical, family-friendly hatchback boot. The range is very comprehensive, with fuel-efficient diesels, smooth-running petrols and thrilling performance-focused Audi S5 and Audi RS5 models. There is something for everyone – and you can buy or lease a new Audi A5 today, or buy a three-year old used Audi A5 from around £23,000.
If you're ready to buy we've got 1000s of Used Cars for Sale, while if you're looking to save money, check out our guide to the Best Car Deals.
Looking for more new car news?
Another new car we’re looking forward to here at heycar is the 2024 Dacia Spring. This is a small, affordable electric car with a sub-£20,000 price tag, so serves as a nice contrast to the beefy new Toyota Land Cruiser. But what if you still want a large seven-seat 4x4, despite a desire to go electric? You’re in luck – the 2023 Kia EV9 electric SUV is right up your street.
Core petrol and diesel new Mercedes-Benz CLE versions offer decent performance – but it’s the CLE 450 4Matic that’s most exciting, with 0-62mph in 4.4 seconds.
The new Mercedes-Benz CLE has a comprehensive new infotainment system that includes the Vivaldi internet browser. It also has business apps including Webex and Zoom, plus the entertainment platform TikTok.
There is not an electric version of the new Mercedes-Benz CLE. It will instead be one of the last new Mercedes-Benz to be launched with an entire line-up of combustion engines.
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