New 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE Coupe revealed

The all-new 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE has been officially revealed, with the glamorous coupe destined to replace both the C-Class and bigger E-Class two-door sports-luxury models when it goes on sale in Australia next year.

Mercedes-Benz Australia has confirmed both the coupe and the still-to-be-revealed cabriolet version of the all-new CLE will launch Down Under in the second half of 2024.

The local model range and therefore pricing and spec are yet to be confirmed.

Taking aim at the current Audi A5 and BMW 4 Series, the new Mercedes-Benz CLE is based on the German car-maker’s MRA architecture and uses components from both the latest fifth-generation C-Class and the recently launched sixth instalment of the E-Class.

One of the last dedicated internal combustion-powered vehicles from Mercedes-Benz, the new CLE measures in at 4850mm long, 1860mm wide and stands 1428mm tall.

It’s said to offer significantly more interior space than the previous C-Class coupe, including a 420-litre boot that can apparently swallow three sets of golf clubs.

Borrowing more of its styling from the E-Class rather than the smaller C-Class, the CLE has a 2+2 cabin layout and gains newly developed front seats with optional seven-zone massage function and stereo speakers embedded into the head restraints (part of the 17-speaker Burmester surround sound package).

Ahead of the driver is a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 11.9-inch portrait-mounted infotainment system that runs Mercedes’ latest software, as seen in the C-Class.

Under the bonnet, a choice of four- and six-cylinder longitudinally-mounted petrol and diesel engines are available, combined with either rear- or four-wheel drive.

Just four powertrain variants will be offered at launch in Europe: a 145kW/440Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel (CLE 220d); a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four developing 150kW/320Nm (CLE 200) or 190kW/400Nm (CLE 300); and a more muscular 280kW/500Nm 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder (CLE 450).

All engines come with mild-hybrid tech that incorporates an integrated starter-generator to provide an additional 17kW/200Nm boost.

Mercedes' 4MATIC all-wheel drive system is available on the CLE 200 and is fitted standard on the CLE 300 and CLE 450, while all engines are combined with the car-maker's nine-speed automatic transmission.

The fastest CLE 450 4MATIC is said to be capable of very brisk 0-100km/h sprint of just 4.4 seconds and a limited 250km/h top speed.

Later on, an advanced plug-in hybrid powertrain will be introduced, offering a pure-electric range of up to 100km.

Mercedes-AMG is believed to be readying two versions of the CLE, but it's not yet confirmed if the expected plug-in hybrid performance powertrain will be four-cylinder-based or come with the more powerful six-cylinder engine.

Ensuring it matches the class best for driving dynamics, the CLE gets a double-wishbone front and multi-link rear suspension – the same set-up as the C-Class sedan, although the coupe sits 15mm lower.