Following yesterday’s big premier of the all-new Mercedes-Benz CLE, the automaker published more photos of the Cabriolet bodystyle, giving us a better look at its design from different angles.
In an era where drop-top variants are becoming less common, it is refreshing to see a traditional four-seater two-door model with a soft top coming from a premium automaker like Mercedes. Having said that, the CLE Cabriolet serves as a replacement for two models – the C-Class Cabriolet and E-Class Cabriolet.
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The 4,850 mm-long model shares the lower portion of the bodywork with its closed-roof sibling, but introduces a redesigned upper rear deck. The pictured example is painted white with a contrasting red top matching the interior upholstery.
The new CLE Cabriolet has four individual seats with virtually unlimited headroom. As with the CLE Coupe, the dashboard combines a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with an 11.9-inch touchscreen on the inclined center console running on the latest MBUX infotainment. Other features include multi-color ambient lighting, carbon-fiber inserts, and aluminum-style accents.
In one of the official photos, we can see a retractable air deflector deployed above the windshield and a vertical air shield behind the passenger compartment. Those elements make sure that everyone aboard stays comfortable even when driving at a high speed without the roof on, minimizing air turbulence above the cabin.
The engine lineup of the CLE Cabriolet will most likely be shared with the CLE Coupe, which in turn is sourced by the E-Class. The Coupe is available with mild-hybrid petrol and diesel powertrains, while plug-in hybrid options are set to follow in 2024. The 2.0-liter four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines as well as the 3.0-liter six-cylinder petrol are exclusively combined with a 9-speed automatic gearbox. Power is transmitted to the rear axle, or to all four wheels through the optional 4Matic system. As for the AMG-branded models, those are expected to follow next year for both the Coupe and Cabriolet bodystyle variants.
We will learn more about the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet closer to its market launch which is scheduled for 2024. Rivals of the new model are limited to the BMW 4-Series Convertible and the Audi A5 Cabriolet. Notably, the only other remaining drop-top model in Mercedes’ lineup is the SL Roadster.
