- Mercedes has revealed the cabriolet version of the new CLE-class.
- Taking over for the discontinued two-door versions of the C-class and E-class, the CLE-class coupe and convertible are both new for 2024.
- While the new cabriolet has only been revealed for Europe, a Mercedes-Benz representative confirmed to Car and Driver that the model will arrive in the U.S. for the 2024 model year.
When Mercedes introduced the CLE-class last summer, it represented a paring down of the automaker’s coupe lineup. The CLE coupe is meant to replace the discontinued C-class and E-class coupes, and now, the CLE range is growing slightly with the introduction of the CLE-class cabriolet. While only the European version has been shown so far, a Mercedes-Benz representative confirmed to Car and Driver the model will arrive in the U.S. for 2024. Like the coupe, the CLE cabriolet looks chic thanks to its upscale design, and it will offer a pair of electrified powertrains and a tech-focused interior.
Under the Hood
All available powertrains for the CLE Cabriolet include 48-volt hybrid system, with the electric motor providing a boost of 23 horsepower and 148 pound-feet. While Europe gets both a diesel option and a less powerful base engine, the North American version of the cabriolet will likely come in the same four-cylinder CLE300 and six-cylinder CLE450 options as the coupe.
That means the base CLE300 is powered by the M254 engine, a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four producing 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. Stepping up to the CLE450 brings the M256 powertrain, a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six pumping out a stout 375 horsepower and 369 pound-feet.
Offering some room for individuality, the softtop is available in black, red, or gray. It’s power-operated and can be closed in under 20 seconds while driving up to 37 mph. Both Mercedes’s Aircap wind deflection system and Airscarf ventilation system come standard, with the deflection system directing cold air over the front passenger’s heads, and the Airscarf pumping out warm air.
Interior Features and Tech
Inside the new CLE cabriolet, the cabin matches one-for-one with the coupe. The 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster sits behind the steering wheel, and there’s a 11.9-inch central touchscreen with an angle that can be adjusted from 15 to 40 degrees to prevent glare when the top is lowered. According to Mercedes, the front seats were designed specifically for this model and feature a reflective coating to prevent the leather from becoming scalding in the summer; we tested a similar setup in the previous E-class convertible and found that the seats can still get plenty hot.
As in other new Mercedes models, there’s an artificial intelligence assistant that can learn which comfort systems the driver uses at certain times and under certain conditions. Similar to Apple Maps suggesting a route to work or home, the system can do things like turning on the heated seats automatically when outside temperatures are low enough.
There’s no official word on pricing for the CLE cabriolet yet, but Mercedes has just announced pricing for the coupe. The coupe ranges from $57,650 for the base CLE300 up to $69,400 for the CLE450 Pinnacle, and we expect the convertible to carry a premium of a few thousand dollars when it arrives later this year.
Jack Fitzgerald’s love for cars stems from his as yet unshakable addiction to Formula 1.
After a brief stint as a detailer for a local dealership group in college, he knew he needed a more permanent way to drive all the new cars he couldn’t afford and decided to pursue a career in auto writing. By hounding his college professors at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, he was able to travel Wisconsin seeking out stories in the auto world before landing his dream job at Car and Driver. His new goal is to delay the inevitable demise of his 2010 Volkswagen Golf.