Mercedes-Benz continues its legacy of crafting exquisite dream cars with the unveiling of the all-new 2024 CLE Cabriolet. This stunning four-seat, open-top marvel is poised to arrive at U.S. dealerships in Spring 2024, setting a new benchmark for dynamic driving pleasure and everyday comfort, with a starting price of $64,350. Joining the recently launched CLE Coupe, the CLE Cabriolet injects its own distinct personality into the lineup, boasting a classic acoustic soft top and optional leather upholstery designed to remain cool even under the scorching sun. Packed with an array of standard features including the AIRCAP® electric wind deflector, AIRSCARF® neck-level heating, the immersive Burmester® 3D Surround Sound system, and the intuitive third-generation MBUX infotainment, the CLE Cabriolet is meticulously engineered to elevate the open-air driving experience.
Enhanced Space and Refined Interior Design
The 2024 CLE Cabriolet distinguishes itself with a wheelbase that’s been extended by an inch, translating to a significantly more spacious cabin compared to its predecessor, the C-Class Cabriolet. Rear passengers are treated to a substantial increase in room, with an additional 0.6 inches of legroom, 0.9 inches of shoulder room, and 0.7 inches of elbow room, ensuring a comfortable ride for everyone. The trunk space is also generous, offering 9.6 cubic feet with the soft top raised. For added versatility, the 60:40 split-folding rear seat backrests can be deployed to further expand cargo capacity, accommodating luggage for weekend getaways or longer journeys.
Stepping inside the CLE Cabriolet reveals a meticulously crafted interior, centered around driver engagement and passenger comfort. A free-standing 12.3-inch digital driver display immediately captures attention, complemented by an 11.9-inch, driver-centric central display oriented in portrait format. This central display offers electric tilt adjustment from 15 to 40 degrees, cleverly designed to minimize sun glare and maintain optimal visibility in open-top conditions. Enhancing the cabin’s ambiance is the dynamic ambient lighting, which gracefully sweeps across the instrument panel, doors, and rear side panels, culminating behind the rear seats, creating a cohesive and inviting atmosphere. Chrome trim accents further accentuate the premium feel, flowing seamlessly throughout the passenger compartment.
For those who appreciate open-top driving even on the hottest days, the CLE Cabriolet offers optional leather upholstery with a special reflective coating. This innovative feature keeps seat surfaces significantly cooler, by up to 53 degrees Fahrenheit compared to untreated leather when exposed to direct sunlight, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable experience regardless of the weather. The front seats, uniquely designed for the CLE, feature an integrated sports seat architecture, providing both support and a sporty aesthetic. Adding to the sensory experience, the standard Burmester® 3D Surround Sound System integrates speakers directly into the front seat headrests, delivering an immersive audio experience with Dolby Atmos and Spatial Audio. This high-fidelity system boasts a total of 17 speakers and a powerful 710-watt output, a significant 120-watt increase over the previous generation, enveloping occupants in rich, detailed sound.
Cutting-Edge MBUX Infotainment and Personalized Experiences
The 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE Cabriolet is equipped with the third generation of the acclaimed MBUX infotainment system, offering an expanding ecosystem of in-car applications and intelligent features. A standout addition is the new Routines function, empowering drivers to personalize their CLE to their individual preferences and habits. This innovative system allows for the automation of comfort features, offering pre-configured templates for common scenarios like “Cold Days,” which automatically activates the seat heating when the outside temperature drops below a certain threshold. Furthermore, users can create custom routines, linking various comfort functions and conditions through the central display, tailoring the vehicle’s behavior to their unique needs and desires.
Smooth Performance and Dynamic Handling
Under the hood, the CLE Cabriolet offers a range of potent and refined 48-volt mild hybrid powertrains, ensuring a smooth and responsive driving experience. An integrated starter-generator (ISG) provides on-demand assistance at lower engine speeds, along with seamless gliding and energy recuperation functions, enhancing both performance and efficiency. The CLE 300 4MATIC Cabriolet is powered by a 2.0-liter Inline-4 turbocharged engine, delivering ample power for everyday driving, while the CLE 450 4MATIC Cabriolet steps up with a 3.0-liter Inline-6 turbocharged unit for those seeking exhilarating performance.
| CLE 300 4MATIC Cabriolet | CLE 450 4MATIC Cabriolet | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | cc | 1,999 |
| Output | hp | 255 |
| at | rpm | 5,800 |
| Torque | lb-ft | 295 |
| at | rpm | 2,000-3,200 |
| ISG output | hp | 23 |
| ISG torque | lb-ft | 151 |
| Acceleration 0-60 mph | s | 6.2 (est.) |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | mph | 130 |
The CLE 300 4MATIC Cabriolet comes standard with comfort suspension, lowered by 0.6 inches compared to the previous C-Class Cabriolet, striking a balance between a plush ride and agile handling. For those prioritizing a sportier driving experience, the CLE 450 4MATIC Cabriolet features standard Sport suspension with continuously adaptive damping. This advanced system offers a wide spectrum of driving modes, ranging from supremely comfortable to highly dynamic. Drivers can fine-tune the vehicle’s characteristics, adjusting suspension firmness, engine response, transmission behavior, and steering feel via the DYNAMIC SELECT controls, tailoring the driving experience to their preferences and road conditions.
Aerodynamic Excellence and Open-Top Comfort
Mercedes-Benz engineers have paid meticulous attention to the aerodynamic performance of the CLE Cabriolet. Open-top vehicles present unique challenges in aerodynamic development, with a focus not only on minimizing drag but also on mitigating wind noise and reducing drafts for all occupants. The standard AIRSCARF® and AIRCAP® systems have been further refined to maximize comfort, making open-top driving enjoyable even in cooler weather. AIRSCARF® envelops front-seat occupants in a warm flow of air around the neck area, effectively shielding them from chills, even in windy conditions.
The AIRCAP® electric wind deflector system works in tandem, featuring a wind deflector integrated into the windshield frame that redirects airflow over the occupants’ heads, along with an automatically deploying wind deflector behind the rear headrests. Extensive wind tunnel testing has resulted in an optimized AIRCAP® design, carefully considering louver geometry, radii, shapes, mesh fabric airflow, and interaction with the rear wind deflector. Sophisticated instruments, including artificial heads and near-field microphones, precisely measure sound levels and draughts, ensuring optimal comfort and minimizing disturbances.
The acoustic soft top further enhances the serene open-top experience, effectively minimizing wind and road noise thanks to its multi-layer construction and extensive insulation. The power-operated soft top opens or closes in a swift 20 seconds and can be operated at speeds up to 37 mph, offering convenience and flexibility. Rigorous wind tunnel testing at even higher speeds ensures the soft top’s reliability and acoustic integrity, even in strong headwinds. The design incorporates a seamless one-piece outer cover, contributing to both aesthetics and acoustic performance. Even in wet conditions, the CLE Cabriolet is designed for practicality, with precisely sculpted windshield frame, A-pillars, and exterior mirror covers that channel rainwater to maintain optimal visibility.
Striking Exterior Design and Personalization Options
Mirroring the CLE Coupe, the CLE Cabriolet showcases a powerful and athletic exterior design, characterized by an aerodynamic “shark nose” front end and a seamless rear aesthetic. The forward-leaning front fascia, featuring a low-slung hood and distinctive flat LED headlights, leads into a newly designed three-dimensional chrome grille adorned with the iconic Mercedes-Benz star pattern. The rear of the vehicle is equally captivating, featuring two-part LED taillights with fresh contours and three-dimensional light bodies, creating a signature illumination.
The optional AMG Line package (standard on CLE 450 4MATIC, optional on CLE 300 4MATIC) amplifies the sporty character of the CLE Cabriolet, adding AMG exterior design elements and performance enhancements. These include larger brake discs on the front axle, an AMG front bumper with sporty air intakes and chrome trim, an exhaust system with dual visible tailpipe trim elements integrated into the bumper, and a sporty engine sound. Inside, the AMG Line package introduces a multifunction sports steering wheel in Nappa leather, AMG brushed stainless steel sports pedals, silver chrome accents on climate control vents, and high-gloss black door trim with silver chrome accents, among other unique details.
Further personalization is available through the optional Night Package, a wide array of exterior paint choices including four new MANUFAKTUR colors, and a variety of wheel designs up to 20 inches in size, allowing drivers to tailor their CLE Cabriolet to their individual style.
Uncompromising Safety Features
The 2024 CLE Cabriolet prioritizes safety, incorporating specifically reinforced bodyshell structures to ensure a high level of structural integrity even without a fixed roof. Comprehensive standard safety equipment includes 11 airbags, including a new center airbag positioned between the front seats, and a groundbreaking head protection system for rear passengers – a first for a Mercedes-Benz Cabriolet, featuring two separate head airbags.
In addition to passive safety features, the CLE Cabriolet is equipped with numerous advanced driver assistance systems as standard, including Blind Spot Assist, Active Brake Assist, and ATTENTION ASSIST. The available Driver Assistance Package expands these capabilities with Active Lane Change Assist, DISTRONIC PLUS with Steering Assist and Stop & Go Assist, Route-Based Speed Adaptation, and other advanced safety and assistance technologies, providing a comprehensive suite of features to enhance driver confidence and safety.
Trim Levels at a Glance
| Standard Features | Pinnacle Trim |
|---|---|
| CLE 300 4MATIC Cabriolet: $64,3501 CLE 450 4MATIC Cabriolet: $73,8501 |
CLE 300 4MATIC Cabriolet: $66,9501 CLE 450 4MATIC Cabriolet: $76,4501 |
| Highlights Include: – Acoustic Soft Top – AIRCAP® Electric Wind Deflector System – AIRSCARF® Neck-Level Heating System – Heated Front Seats – Third Generation MBUX Infotainment – Burmester® 3D Surround Sound System with Sound Personalization and Music Streaming – Speakers in Driver Seat Headrest – 12.3-inch Driver Display – 11.9-inch Central Multimedia Display – Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – Wireless Smartphone Charging | Highlights Include: – All Standard Features – DIGITAL LIGHT with Projections – Parking Package with Surround View 360° Camera – MBUX Augmented Reality for Navigation – MBUX Entertainment Plus – GUARD 360 with Picture Taking Functionality – Head-Up Display |
The 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE Cabriolet is poised to redefine the open-top driving experience, seamlessly blending luxury, performance, technology, and safety into an irresistible package. Prepare to embrace the thrill of the open road in ultimate style and comfort when the CLE Cabriolet arrives in Spring 2024.
1 Above pricing excludes $1,150 destination and delivery charge
