Just in time for some summer al fresco driving, the Mercedes-Benz CLE Cabriolet has made landfall on South African shores, with the local arm of the Three-pointed Star brand releasing pricing and specification for the two-strong CLE Cabriolet model line-up. Here is everything you need to know, including pricing, about the drop-top CLE.
Locally, the CLE Cabriolet is available in two flavours: CLE 200 and CLE 300 4Matic, both of which employing a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine (in different state of tune) equipped with the German marque’s familiar (9G-Tronic) nine-speed automatic transmission.
The four-cylinder unit powering the CLE 200 Cabriolet has been tuned to produce 150 kW and 320 N.m of torque, the latter of which is available from a mere 1 600 r/min to 4 000 r/min. Thanks to the fitment of 48 V mild-hybrid tech, an additional boost of 17 kW and 205 N.m is available for short durations. Benz says this (rear-wheel-drive) model is capable of sprinting to the three-figure marker from a standstill in 7.9 seconds, before topping out at a maximum speed of 240 km/h. The claimed average fuel consumption figure for the CLE 200 Cabriolet is 6.7 L/100 km.
Transferring 190 kW and 400 N.m of torque to all four corners, the CLE 300 Cabriolet, the German marque says, completes the obligatory 0-100 km/h sprint in 6.6 seconds, 1.3 seconds quicker than its rear-wheel-drive sibling. The all-paw CLE Cabriolet has a top speed of 250 km/h. Mercedes says this model’s uprated powertrain, which also incorporates 48 V mild-hybrid tech for an additional boost of 17 kW and 205 N.m, sips, on average, 7.3 L/100 km.
How much does the Mercedes-Benz CLE Cabriolet cost in South Africa?
The opening gambit to the CLE Cabriolet range, the CLE 200, is priced from R1 515 350, while the CLE 300 4Matic will set you back R1 573 651. As standard, both models ship with a two-year/unlimited km warranty and a maintenance plan spanning five years or 100 000 km.
- CLE 200 9G-Tronic — R1 515 350
- CLE 300 4Matic 9G-Tronic — R1 573 651