Mercedes-Benz’s new range of midsize coupes and convertibles is about to be unveiled, with prototypes wearing less and less camouflage.
The Mercedes-Benz CLas it may be called, would replace the outgoing coupe and convertible models in the Class C and E-Class ranges.
Scheduled to also offer higher-performance Mercedes-AMG variants, the CLE will allow Mercedes-Benz to always field a rival with the BMW 4 Series and M4 and the Audi A5, S5 and RS5.
Design-wise, the new model retains the company’s signature soft, rounded look, although there’s also a resemblance to the sharper Mercedes-AMG SL.
Our photographers have now seen almost the entire range, including cut and convertible body styles and plug-in hybrid and AMG 43 and 63 variants.
It is likely that the CLE will use the new MRA-2 architecture and offer a range of electrified four-cylinder powertrains, as with the redesigned C-Class.
At the top of the range will probably be a CLE 63 AMG, with the high-performance plug-in hybrid all-wheel-drive configuration of the AMG C63.
This model uses a redesigned version of the AMG A45 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with total system outputs of 500 kW and 750 Nm.
Beneath the C63 is the C43, with a version of the mild-hybrid turbo four-cylinder engine used in the SL 43 convertible and producing outputs of 300kW and 500Nm.
There will naturally be more affordable and less powerful versions under these AMG models.
A likely option is the C300’s 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder mild-hybrid powertrain, which produces 190kW and 400Nm.
Previous spy photos revealed the interior features a similar triple-vent design to the C-Class, and we’re expecting a similar portrait-style touchscreen infotainment system and digital instrument cluster. autonomous for this model.
Mercedes-Benz head of research and development Markus Schafer said Auto-Express he actually had three convertibles – the SLC and C-Class and E-Class Cabriolets – occupying a part of the market that is not particularly profitable.
He did, however, concede that it is important for a luxury car brand to continue to offer coupe and convertible models.
As Mercedes-Benz expands its range of electric vehicles to include models such as the EQE and EQS built on a dedicated EV architecture, it is aware that its model range cannot become too large and unwieldy.
The small volume SLC has already been deleted and no coupé or convertible version of the redesigned Mercedes-Benz S-Class have been announced.
The merging of the two-door C-Class and E-Class lines recalls the days of the CLK.
-
First generation CLK -
Second generation CLK -
First generation E-Class Coupe
Sold for two generations from 1997 to 2010, the CLK used the C-Class platform but with styling cues from the E-Class, and was available with a range of engines ranging from four to eight cylinders.
It was replaced by the E-Class Coupe and Convertible, which continued to use C-Class mechanicals, but were soon joined by a C-Class Coupe and Convertible.
In 2017, Mercedes-Benz finally returned an E-Class-based coupe and convertible to the E-Class range, while the C-Class range continued to offer two-door variants.