(UPDATE: The Mercedes-Benz CLE 300 4MATIC is priced at RM518,888 on-the-road without insurance, inclusive of 10% sales tax)
Mercedes-Benz Malaysia recently unveiled the new Mercedes-Benz CLE 300 4MATIC Coupe for the first time in Malaysia. The coupe is part of the Luxury Showcase, which includes the new Mercedes-AMG GT S 63 E Performance, the Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 4MATIC and the Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 4MATIC. The CLE 300 blends conceptual and technical innovations from the C-Class and E-Class, the two-door coupé radiates powerful presence and timeless elegance.
The new CLE Coupé embodies an emotional statement from every perspective. The sporty, elegant two-door unites proportions typical of a coupé with the modern design language of Mercedes-Benz, whose aesthetic soul is shaped by the design philosophy of Sensual Purity. This creates a sculptural appearance for the CLE Coupé, which is characterised by flowing surfaces with seamless transitions.
A distinctive shaped edge structures the powerful volume in the side wall. This character line runs from the headlight to the exterior mirror and from the rear light to the door handle. It emphasises the sporty proportions and the powerful wheel arches.
The AMG line exterior comes with Night Package showcasing expressive black design elements which enhances the vehicle on the outside. These include the exterior mirror housings, beltline trim strips and side window surrounds. Tinted windows and 19-inch AMG multi-spoke light-alloy wheels complete the sporty, individual appearance. The vehicle comes with a panoramic sliding sunroof, Driving Assistance Package Plus, ambient lighting with projection of brand logo, and Adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus.
The progressively forward-leaning front section (“shark nose”) with a low-slung bonnet, flat DIGITAL LIGHT with projection function headlights with a unique design and a distinctive radiator grille ensure a decidedly athletic yet extremely elegant appearance. With DIGITAL LIGHT drivers experience brilliant lighting conditions. The HD system works like a projector and reacts to changing conditions of traffic, road, or weather with constantly adjusted light.
The strongly contoured power domes on the long hood reference the powerful engines with up to six cylinders. As is typical for coupés, the radiator grille has a single louvre in high-gloss black. Behind it shines a grille in a newly designed, three-dimensional chrome look with a Mercedes-Benz pattern.
Under the long hood is a 2.0-litre turbocharged to produce 258hp and 400Nm of torque. The engine is partnered with an electric motor that generates 17kW and 205Nm to assist acceleration. Mated to a 9G-TRONIC 9-speed automatic gearbox, the CLE 300 accomplishes 0-100kph in 6.2 seconds and up to a top speed of 250kph. Self-steering rear wheels with up to 2.5° steering angle adjustment provides a more agile and stable ride.
The interior design of the new CLE Coupé sets a new standard, placing the driver at the forefront of its focus. Within the cockpit, attention is immediately drawn to the striking 12.3-inch fully digital instrument display, standing freely, and the 11.9-inch central display, designed in a user-friendly portrait format.
Crafted with meticulous detail, the central display seamlessly emerges from the front centre console, adorned with a sophisticated mixed fabric-look finish accented with metallic effects. Positioned at a six-degree incline towards the driver’s seat, it not only enhances visibility but also creates a captivating visual dynamic. This vertical orientation not only exudes a sense of modernity but also reinforces the sporty essence and driver-centric approach of the Coupé.
Further elevating the luxury experience, the interior features ARTICO man-made leather in nappa look adorning the instrument panel and beltlines, exuding refinement and elegance.
Other highlights include the multi-function sports steering wheel in nappa leather and new front seats developed exclusively for the CLE. They feature an avant-garde sports seat design with integrated headrests in leather upholstery. The sporty integral seat look of the new multi-contour seats reinforces the reduced design with three-dimensional, seamless shapes on the instrument panel and in the doors – giving the interior an additional visual lightness. The front seats include climatised front seats with seat heating and seat ventilation and an electro-pneumatic four-way lumbar support. The memory function can be used to save individual driver seat settings for up to three people.
A new, EASY-ENTRY function ensures easy access to the rear. The front seats are not unlocked with a lever, but with an elegant loop made of Nappa leather. It is conveniently located at the upper edge of the backrest. Anyone who has not buckled their seat belt immediately after boarding can reactivate the seat belt feeder via a button on the central display or simply by opening and closing the door again. In addition, the CLE Coupé is one of the first Mercedes-Benz vehicles with an optimised warning if the seat belt is not fastened. The system only reacts to seats on which someone who has not buckled their seat belt is actually sitting.
With its dimensional concept – in particular the 25-millimetre longer wheelbase – the CLE Coupé offers significantly more space than the C-Class Coupé. The rear passengers in particular benefit from 10 millimetres more headroom, 19 millimetres more shoulder and elbow room and 72 millimetres more knee room.
Additional sportiness is created by the dynamic ambient lighting in 64 colours. Ambient lighting with indirect light on the trim strip of the instrument panel, the cup holders on the centre console, the overhead control unit, the door handles, the seat adjustment unit and in the front footwell is included. For further convenience, the KEYLESS-GO Comfort Package, HANDS-FREE ACCESS, Mirror Package, and head-up display are also included. THERMATIC automatic climate control allows the driver and front passenger to set the temperature separately for their side.
The CLE Coupé comes with the third generation of the MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) infotainment system. This makes the sporty two-door the most intelligent coupé with the star. It reaches a new dimension of personalisation and interaction. The MBUX Interior Assistant supports operation by responding to body language providing touchless ease of use, including natural and active hand movements and intelligent occupant recognition. The Burmester® 3D surround sound system creates a particularly individual and immersive music experience with Dolby Atmos close to the ears. The premium sound system has a total of 17 speakers.
The CLE Coupé is equipped with Driving Assistance Package Plus, Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Active Steering Assist. In addition, Parking package with Memory Parking Assist, Active Parking Assist with PARKTRONIC, 360° camera, and GUARD 360° Vehicle protection are also included.
The Mercedes-Benz CLE 300 4MATIC will possibly launch some time in the middle of the year. Until then, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has begun taking orders for the coupe at their website. Price of the CLE 300 is estimated to be in the ballpark of RM526,000.00. It is one of the most beautiful car ever produced by Mecedes-Benz and that alone is worth the price of admission.
