The Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class will eventually replace the coupe and convertible variants of the C- and E-Class in the brand’s lineup. This spy shot captures the droptop version testing in the snow.
From the grille design, we can see this is the standard version of the CLE-Class, not the hotter AMG model. It’s the cross on the nose that tells us this. The AMG variant will have vertical ribs there.
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The development team kept the rest of the vehicles under camouflage wrap. In front, we can see a slightly wide opening in the fascia. In profile, you can see the long bonnet and sharp windshield. The rear features curved taillights and a strip stacked above them.
The CLE-Class will be available with a variety of powertrains. We’ve even seen a plug-in hybrid variant in the previous spy shots. The top-of-the-range AMG 63 model has to share setup with the hottest C-Class. This will result in a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with an electrically assisted turbo and an electric motor driving the rear wheels. In total, 671 horsepower (500 kilowatts) and 752 pound-feet (1,020 Newton-meters) of torque are available.
In the C 63, the 6.1 kilowatt-hour battery pack allows the sedan to cover about 8 miles (13 kilometers) on electric power. Mercedes tuned the system for power, not efficiency.
Inside, the CLE-Class has a digital instrument cluster. There’s a tilted infotainment screen in the center stack.
We’re expecting the CLE-Class to debut sometime in 2023 and it’s likely to go on sale for the 2024 model year. Generally, Mercedes has been in a staggered release of variants, so we might not see an AMG version until a little later. Apart from the coupe and convertible, there is reportedly an upcoming shooting brake variant. Although, we haven’t seen it yet.
