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The Drive With Roland Gaspar
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Kea Zawadi
There is nothing like shooting the breeze with the top down whilst driving the coastal route of Clarence Drive in the Mother City, arguably one of the most scenic drives in the world. That’s exactly what I did recently at the launch of the Mercedes-Benz CLE Cabriolet. The drive is unmistakably Mercedes. Stylish good looks, a plush, luxury interior and the sound from the Burmester speaker system was just apt for the drive. No, not loud, just pure listening quality pumping out. The Cabriolet is definitely an object of desire and a dream car for many.
Pic: Naresh Maharaj
Open-Top Tradition
With the new CLE Cabriolet, Mercedes-Benz is continuing its long tradition of four-seater open-top dream cars. Expressive design, intelligent technology and upmarket equipment guarantee driving pleasure at an exclusive level. This new model is based on the sporty CLE Coupé. However, the classic fabric acoustic soft top and additional high-quality details give it a character of its own. The CLE Cabriolet combines dynamic driving characteristics with a high level of everyday comfort for year-round open-air enjoyment.
Drop it like it’s hot!
The AIRCAP® electric wind deflector system and the AIRSCARF® headroom heating system are standard equipment. Both systems have been further developed. They make open-top driving in cool outside temperatures more pleasant. AIRCAP® consists of two elements: the wind deflector on the windscreen directs airflow over the occupants’ heads. It extends at the touch of a button. The automatic wind deflector behind the rear head restraints reduces turbulence more efficiently. AIRSCARF® produces even warmer airflow around the necks and throats of front-seat occupants – even in unfavourable wind conditions.
Sporty cockpit
The freestanding 12.3-inch fully digital instrument display and the 11.9-inch driver-oriented central display in portrait format are eye-catchers in the interior. The latter can be electrically tilted from 15 to 40 degrees to prevent distracting glare when the soft top is down. Another highlight is the optional dynamic ambient lighting. Bands of light sweep from the cockpit over the doors and rear side panels to behind the rear seats.
Pic: Naresh Maharaj
To prevent the optional leather seats from heating up too much in the summer, they have a special coating which reflects the sun’s near-infrared rays. As a result, the leather remains up to 12 degrees cooler in direct sunlight than untreated standard leather. Even with the top closed, the interior heats up less thanks to the cool seat covers. The choice of colours offered for the sun-reflecting leather and nappa leather are: black, macchiato beige/black, tonka brown/black, power red/black and white/black.
The front seats developed exclusively for the CLE have an integral sports seat design. In conjunction with the optional Burmester® 3D surround sound system, they each have two loudspeakers level with the head restraints. This creates a particularly personalised and immersive music experience with Dolby Atmos and Spatial Audio close to the ear. This premium sound system has a total of 17 loudspeakers.
Spacious Interior
As the largest convertible in the mid-size segment, the sporty two-door model offers a high level of long-distance comfort for four people. The dimensions are: 4,850 millimetres long, 1,861 millimetres wide, 1,424 millimetres high and a wheelbase of 2,865 millimetres. Rear passengers in particular benefit from the extra 25 millimetres on the wheelbase. Among other things, they have 72 millimetres more knee room and 19 millimetres more shoulder and elbow room. This makes the vehicle significantly more spacious than the C-Class Cabriolet.
Powerful yet comfortable driving experience
There is no need to floor it! Just cruise along for that ultimate ‘joy ride’. The chassis of the new CLE Cabriolet enables driving pleasure on winding roads. At the same time, it offers exceptional ride comfort on long journeys. The comfort suspension, which has been lowered by 15 millimetres, is fitted as standard. It combines a supremely comfortable ride with responsive, sporty handling. A sports suspension with an amplitude-selective damping system is available as an option.
All engines are mild hybrids. Each has an integrated starter-generator and 48-volt on-board electrical system. Two litre engine that pushes out 150kW (190 kW in the CLE 300). Combined average fuel consumption was around 7.5l per 100kms.
Pic: Naresh Maharaj
Verdict
“Sublime, that’s the word that I would use to describe the all-new CLE model offerings that we have made available to our customers. These are the cars that people dream about, and they do not disappoint. We have come in very competitively with our pricing and customers have unmatched choice in terms of crafting their desired CLE model to their specification.” Alex Boavida. Vice President Sales and Marketing MBSA
RRP
CLE 200 R1 515 300
CLE 300 4matic R1573 650
All pricing includes a 5 year/100 000km Service Plan and Maintenance Plan
