Mercedes-Benz is simplifying. Cleansing out the storage. Throwing out what doesn’t spark pleasure. It’s all a part of a plan to pare the storied model’s lineup all the way down to a extra manageable dimension, and it should reportedly imply the tip of many coupes and wagons over the approaching years. However they might not disappear fully.

Some will simply get replaced with extra exact creations.

Enter the 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE coupe and convertible. Debuting this week, Mercedes says the automotive “makes use of the conceptual and technical improvements of the C-Class and E-Class.” That’s a diplomatic method of claiming it replaces the 2-door variations of each traces, although they’ll proceed individually as 4-doors.

Changing Small and Giant With Medium

It slots proper between them, Goldilocks-style. Mercedes even despatched journalists a useful chart of measurements offering that it’s just a bit larger than the previous C-Class coupe and a bit smaller than the previous E-Class coupe in most measurements.

That raises the vital query — which is able to it monitor extra intently in value? The corporate has provided no clues.

The 2023 C-Class Coupe begins at $49,550, whereas the 2023 E-Class Coupe begins at $69,750. So, if the thread-the-needle logic of the measurements applies to the sticker, we count on the CLE to start out round $59,650.

Natural Look Outdoors

It retains these vehicles’ lengthy hood/quick trunk proportions however interprets them via the lens of present Mercedes design. Which means a extra natural look than Benz consumers have seen lately. The brand new coupe wears a bulging hood with elevated strakes and creases that emerge and fade into rounded fender traces.

The look is at all times dangerous. It threatens to look both barely melted or like a previous-generation Mercedes overinflated. However it’s adequately subtle to work effectively in these proportions.

Gloss and Leather-based Inside

The cabin borrows closely from the present C-Class. That’s a sensible transfer, because it has some of the elegant interiors on the street. The identical rounded-square idea conjures up the outstanding air vents. A 12.3-inch driver’s instrument show and 11.9-inch central touchscreen stand out from a shiny dashboard, basically freed from buttons.

The shortage of knobs for quantity and temperature is a bit regarding. We’ll need to drive it to find out whether or not this can be a Tesla-style cabin plan that leaves the motive force paging via touchscreen menus for even the best capabilities. Mercedes says it’s powered by the newest MBUX infotainment interface, which helps voice instructions. However the early press releases don’t inform if it helps the ChatGPT-enabled conversations-with-your-car the corporate is testing in some fashions.

A 17-speaker Burmester sound system is customary tools. Mercedes says it “permits particular person devices or voices to be positioned across the listening space.”

255 or 375 Horsepower

The coupe shall be provided in two trim ranges.

The CLE 300 makes use of a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine that produces 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. The CLE 450 will get a turbocharged 3.0-liter straight-6 good for 375 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. Each ship energy to all 4 wheels via a 9-speed automated transmission.

Mercedes has given particulars solely on the coupe mannequin however guarantees {that a} “CLE Cabriolet will comply with for open-air connoisseurs.”