The SLK (later SLC), SL roadsters, C-, E-, and S-Class cabrios. Suffice to say, you had plenty of options to get sunburnt in Singapore.

But now, the lineup has been streamlined, with the Mercedes-AMG SL holding its own as a standalone entity, while the C- and E-Class cabriolets merge into a single, sophisticated offering: the Mercedes-Benz CLE Cabriolet.

Think of it as a ‘greatest hits’ collection of its predecessors, wrapped in one elegant package.

High-Tech Open-Top

The Mercedes-Benz CLE Cabriolet is pitched as a “harmonious blend” of the agility found in the C-Class with the luxurious comfort of the E-Class.

Its fabric roof opens or closes electronically in a swift 20 seconds at speeds of up to 59 km/h. Once the roof is stowed, Mercedes’ Airscarf system keeps the chill off your neck with a gentle flow of warm air.

Pair that with Aircap, which uses a deployable spoiler at the windscreen and a windbreak behind the rear seats to keep cabin turbulence to a minimum, and you’ve got yourself a refined open-top experience.

Comfort With A View

There isn’t a direct predecessor the CLE Cabriolet can compare to, but great legroom, shoulder room, and elbow room.

Rear passengers, however, should ideally be petite unless the roof is down.

The boot impresses for a convertible, offering 385 litres of space with the roof up (about the size of a Volkswagen Golf).

Even with the roof down, you’re left with 295 litres, but the clever auto-partition system ensures you won’t need to fiddle with dividers manually.

Tech Is A Mixed Bag

The tech suite is quintessentially modern Mercedes: comprehensive but occasionally overwhelming. An 11.9-inch touchscreen handles most of the car’s functions.

The climate controls live exclusively on the touchscreen, and the touch-sensitive surfaces can be finicky. That said, the ability to tilt the central screen to avoid glare is a thoughtful touch.

On the plus side, the cabin materials are impeccable, and the Burmester sound system is an acoustic delight. Just steer clear of the carbon-fibre-effect trims; this car deserves a classier spec.

Even the leather seats reflect heat, ensuring comfort in sunnier climes. And for those who like their tech indulgent, yes, you can even watch TikTok on the screen. Progress, indeed.

Effortless Elegance If You Take It Easy

If you’re a Mercedes fan, you’ll know the cabriolets have always played the role of laid-back luxury cruisers.

The CLE stays true to its roots. It features sports suspension that sits 15mm lower as standard. At cruising speeds, it glides serenely, with nary a whisper from the wind, whether the roof is up or down.

Light throttle inputs make the 9-speed automatic gearbox behave like a seamless single-speed unit.

But perfection is elusive. Singapore only gets the CLE200 variant, and the throttle response feels sluggish, even in the livelier Sport+ mode. Even if you push it, it doesn’t quite offer the engagement you might hope for too.

Yet, when the roof’s down, you tend to forgive it all. After all, isn’t open-top motoring about basking in the moment rather than chasing outright precision?

So What Happens When You Get Spirited?

Should you wish to still push the CLE into fun territory, it won’t disappoint. The steering, while not brimming with feedback, is precise enough to position the car with confidence.

It corners with surprising composure; flat and sure-footed.

As is often the case with luxury cabrios, a larger engine will do more justice for the CLE.

The 2-litre porker punching 201bhp and 320Nm of torque is adequate for most folks, but a wish-list CLE 450 variant will be the sweet spot for those looking for something more engaging. 

A Convertible for All Seasons

The Mercedes-Benz CLE Cabriolet is a compelling blend of style, comfort, and capability. It’s not a sports car, but it doesn’t pretend to be. Instead, it excels at delivering a refined open-top experience with just enough agility to keep things interesting.

It’s a car that makes every journey feel special, from sunset drives along East Coast to evening jaunts through the city. And isn’t that what a proper convertible should do?

In the CLE Cabriolet, Mercedes has crafted a car that’s as enjoyable to drive as it is to simply sit back and enjoy the view. Roof down, of course.

Technical Specifications

Mercedes-Benz CLE200 Cabriolet

Engine: 1,999cc in-line 4 turbocharged, Turbocharged
Drivetrain: Rear-Wheel Drive
Power: 150 kW (201 bhp)
Torque: 320 Nm
Gearbox: 9-speed G-Tronic (A)
0-100km/h: 7.9 seconds (claimed)
Top Speed: 236 km/h
Fuel Economy: 14.1km/L (claimed)

Price: S$394,888 (AMG Line) with COE (accurate at the time of this article)
Contact: Mercedes-Benz Singapore

Photo Credits: Sean Loo (@auto.driven)

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Mercedes-Benz, in a move to thin the herd, phased out the two-door variants of its mid-range saloons in favour of a single, more unified contender: the CLE.

It’s a tribute to consolidation, with two-door coupes being well-trodden ground for Mercedes. But, good looks can only take you so far. So how does the CLE fair against the competition?

Distinguished Gentleman

The Mercedes-Benz CLE sits just a tad longer than the old E Coupe, but brings the intimacy of a C-Class Coupe. It’s as if Mercedes took both models, shook them up in a cocktail shaker, and poured out the CLE Coupe.

Singapore only has one variant for now, and its the entry level CLE200. In English, that’s a 2.0-litre 4-pot nestled in the front, churning out 201bhp and 320Nm of torque. Not exactly within the realms of A, M, and G, but its more than adequate for spirited jaunts down the highway or a calm cruise through city streets.

It seems to usher in a younger audience, perhaps those who might have fancied the C-Class Coupe, aiming for a smooth and expansive driving experience rather than mimicking the more spirited, edge-of-your-seat feel of a BMW 4 Series.

This translates to a leisurely century sprint time of 7.4 seconds, punching the power to the 9-speed automatic transmission it’s mated to.

To give the car a little more oomph off the line, it even comes equipped with a 48-volt mild hybrid system. It regenerates energy during braking or coasting and provides a 23bhp boost when you need that extra dash of zip.

It also makes the car slightly more economical; our figures show an average of 12.9km/litre, which is rather decent considering we mixed it up with some spirited driving and dense city traffic. 

Driving the CLE Coupe is akin to wearing a finely tailored suit – it feels bespoke, refined, and designed with a purpose. You might not find the raw excitement of an Affalterbach-derived thoroughbred (that might come in the future), but what it offers in comfort, style, and efficiency more than makes up for it.

So, if you’re caught in a dilemma between a sporty number and a practical ride, the Mercedes-Benz CLE Coupe offers a potential golden middle path.

Damn It Looks Sophisticated

Indeed. Mercedes-Benz CLE is a true embodiment of understated elegance, stepping away from the bustling trend of overly aggressive design cues that we often see from its competitors. One could liken its exterior to a beautifully smoothed pebble.

It’s a visual treat, refreshingly devoid of unnecessary embellishments. Observers will no doubt appreciate the absence of the controversial stylings of some rivals like the 4 Series.

As you swing open the pillarless doors, you might pause, considering the sheer size of these doors. They’re quite the spectacle, but exiting the CLE Coupe can feel like a small adventure in itself, given the distance one must navigate from the deep-set seats to the outer world.

From the rear three-quarter view, the CLE’s elongated back end enhances its stately demeanour, emphasised further by a horizontal bar connecting the rear light clusters. A bar that, intriguingly, doesn’t light up. This design choice makes the car appear wider and more grounded.

Does The Interior Hold Up As Well?

Stepping into the Mercedes-Benz CLE feels like a familiar embrace from the C-Class, yet it gives hints of the E-Class. But, not everything shines as brightly as it should; some of the cabin features might leave a seasoned Merc customer disappointed, especially when you’re parting with over S$300 big ones.

For the most part, the cabin materials certainly feel less prone to the creaks and groans of its predecessors. But, the mirror adjustment buttons and touch-sensitive seat controls feel a bit more “cost-saving” than “luxury”. Plus, the touch-sensitive spokes on the steering wheel can be quite a chore to operate.

Mercedes insists that once you get the hang of it, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it. But, must it really be this overly complicated? I cannot count the number of times I tried to skip a song, but instead changed the UI to a completely different sub-menu.

The central 14.9-inch touchscreen is slightly better to operate. Set against a panel of matte wood trim, it gives the cockpit a modern vibe. Wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto come standard, and you can chuck your smartphone into the recessed wireless charging pad once its all hooked up. Good luck trying to get it back out though.

The CLE does boast ample space in the rear seats, a marked improvement over the old C-Class Coupe. Though, if you’re tall, your head is going to be bobbing into that sloping roofline.

It’s a car that perhaps subtly suggests that the rear seats are better suited for the occasional use rather than a regular commute, and more ideal for stowing those seldom-used tote bags or a couple of decorative cushions.

While it does have a narrow aperture, the boot is rather deep, and spacious enough at 420 litres, just shy of the BMW 4 Series. Enough capacity for a golf bag or weekend shopping.

A Great Package, But Needs Some Ironing Out

The Mercedes-Benz CLE Coupe is as pleasant to behold as it is to drive. But, some of its modern technology features do get in the way. You might grow accustomed to these quirks over time; adaptability is part of the human condition.

But, one can’t help but reminisce about the days when stepping into a Mercedes felt instantly right. No second-guessing, just unadulterated automotive perfection from the get-go.

Here’s hoping that Mercedes might consider the addition of a few well-placed physical buttons in a future facelift to reclaim some of that old-school user-friendliness. This could elevate the CLE from being merely fine to truly fantastic.

Technical Specifications

Mercedes-Benz CLE200 Coupe

Engine: 1,999cc in-line 4 turbocharged, Turbocharged
Drivetrain: Rear-Wheel Drive
Power: 150kw (201bhp)
Torque: 320Nm
Gearbox: 9-speed G-Tronic (A)
0-100km/h: 7.4 seconds (claimed)
Top Speed: 240km/h
Fuel Economy: 14.1km/L (claimed)

Price: S$344,888 (Avantgarde), S$370,888 (AMG Line), both with COE (accurate at the time of this article)
Contact: Mercedes-Benz Singapore

Photo Credits: Sean Loo (@auto.driven)

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