Mercedes-Benz is preparing to replace its C-Class and E-Class coupe and convertible with a new model that may wear the CLE name.
Our spy photographers have already captured the convertible version of the upcoming model a number of times, and have now shot the coupe.
The new CLE will compete against the BMW 4 Series and Audi A5.
Previous reports have indicated Mercedes-Benz doesn’t want to leave the luxury coupe and convertible market, but is consolidating its offerings. The latest S-Class, for example, won’t be offered in two-door guise, and the SLC has been axed.
While it appears to be wearing a thinner form of camouflage than previous convertible prototypes, a lot of the design details are still concealed. The front-end styling, however, bears a close resemblance to the latest C-Class.
At this stage it’s unclear what’ll power the Mercedes-Benz CLE but a range of electrified four-cylinder powertrains is expected, like the current C-Class.
For context, the Mercedes-Benz C300 uses a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a 48V mild-hybrid system producing 190kW of power and 400Nm of torque.
It’s expected there’ll be at least one AMG version of the CLE and it could receive electrified four-cylinder powertrains as well, similar to the Mercedes-AMG SL43 and C43 mild-hybrid or upcoming Mercedes-AMG C63 plug-in hybrid.
The Mercedes-Benz CLE will reportedly be available only as a convertible at first, with the two-door coupe version set to follow afterwards.
Mercedes-Benz research and development head, Marcus Schafer, recently told Auto Express it effectively had three convertibles – the SLC, and the C-Class and E-Class Cabriolets – occupying a part of the market that isn’t particularly profitable.
He conceded, however, it’s important for a luxury car brand to continue to offer coupe and convertible models.
As Mercedes-Benz expands its range of electric vehicles (EVs) to include models like the EQE and EQS built on a dedicated EV architecture, it’s aware its model line-up can’t get too large and unwieldy.
Merging the two-door C-Class and E-Class ranges is reminiscent of the days of the CLK.
Sold for two generations from 1997 to 2010, the CLK used the C-Class’ platform but with E-Class styling cues, and was available with a range of engines ranging from four- to eight-cylinder configurations.
In 2017, Mercedes-Benz finally returned a coupe and convertible to the E-Class line-up. These have been sold concurrently with the C-Class coupe and convertible.
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