Over the past decade, Mercedes-Benz model line-up was quite a vast one, they had models from A up to the S Class, and with that came derivatives in the cross over segment and the more sporty coupe segment, over the last few years when sales took a knock, the brand decided to re-look at some of the models in their offering and condense it a bit. Two of those models were the C-Class Coupe/ Cabriolet and the E-Class Coupe/ Cabriolet. While both had their own appeal, there was marginal differences to them in the skeletons of the car. Last year Mercedes-Benz launched the CLE Class, with the Coupe hitting our shores in the first quarter of the year and the topless version towards the latter half. While I got to experience the hard top during its launch in KZN, the appeal to drive a cabriolet is always tempting especially when you live in Durban, where its sunny all year round apart from the days there is an important cricket match being played in town. So Merc sent me the CLE 200 Cabriolet not too long ago to spend a few days with and I was relishing the opportunity to get behind the wheel of it.
DESIGN
The CLE200 Cabriolet is a visual stunner, with the roof up or down, this particular model finished in white with black details was a looker of note. With a long, sculpted bonnet, wide stance, and coupe-inspired lines, it carries a confident road presence that turned heads everywhere I went. Up front, the iconic grille with a central Mercedes star is flanked by sharp Digital Light LED headlights, while the back end features slim taillights and a fluid shoulder line that enhances its low-slung profile. The fabric soft-top folds neatly in around 20 seconds at speeds up to 60km/h, giving you that breezy open-air feel without fuss. Its design bridges the sportiness of the old C-Class Coupe with the premium grace of the E-Class. This model came in the AMG package which included 19-inch alloys and subtle chrome accents add to the classy yet athletic vibe. A mature, timeless design that turns heads, whether roof up or down.
PERFORMANCE
Under the bonnet, the CLE200 Cabriolet features a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine paired with a 48V mild hybrid system. With a total power output of 150kW and 320Nm torque, all perfectly mated with the 9G-Tronic automatic gearbox makes for tonnes of fun, whether you're taking a causal cruise with the roof down or chasing the wind. It achieves a 0–100km/h time of a brisk 7.5 seconds with its top speed limited to 236km/h. The mild hybrid system offers an additional 17kW of boost during acceleration, improving efficiency and responsiveness. While not a fire-breathing sports car, it’s quick enough for most drivers and impressively refined. Rear-wheel drive delivers balance and composure on the open road with it giving you confidence to attack corners and accelerate out of long bends with ease. The CLE200 excels as a grand tourer – smooth, predictable, and comfortable on long drives. Sport and Comfort modes adapt the throttle and suspension feel nicely with the driver and the passenger not feeling uneasy at all. While its not the quickest engine in the Mercedes arsenal, it sure still does deliver plenty of fun for the driver.
COMFORT
Comfort is one of the CLE200’s standout traits – especially for a cabriolet, from the existing diamond stitched leather seats which were finished in a tan colour, the cars interior is a carbon copy to that of the CLE Coupe and the C-Class Sedan with an additional party trick which allows the center infotainment screen to tilt should the suns glare affect it when driving with the top down. Interior Materials feature soft-touch leathers, open-pore wood or aluminium trim, and ambient lighting create a premium cabin as with all their cars. The front seats a heated and power-adjustable with optional neck-level Airscarf system – a true must for winter top-down drives as I made plenty of use of during Durban's "cold" winter weather. A wind deflector and acoustic fabric roof keep noise levels impressively low, even on highways. The cars aerodynamics were such that I hardly found myself using the wind deflector, even at high-speeds with the roof down. The ride quality is refined, especially when fitted with adaptive damping. Mercedes has also improved cabin insulation, making it a serene space with the roof closed. The rear seats are best suited for kids or shorter adults as legroom is limited and confined to the driver and font passengers requirements. Boot space is around 385 litres (roof up), dropping slightly when the top is stowed, there is a handy drop shelf that guides you on how much you can load the car when the roof is down so weekends away is still possible. 11.9-inch portrait touchscreen infotainment system running the latest MBUX software is a breeze to use, with wireless phone connectivity and multiple other menu options to play with, the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with customizable layouts is also a treat to look at. The car also comes with the “Hey Mercedes” voice assistant to control just about anything in the car. This model came fitted with the optional Burmester 3D sound system for audiophile-level audio, this made for perfect music playback when driving with the top down. Some of the key driver assistance features include Adaptive cruise control (Distronic), Lane-keeping assist, 360-degree camera system, Blind spot monitoring and Traffic sign recognition with heads up display.
VERDICT
The Mercedes-Benz CLE200 Cabriolet is an exceptional lifestyle vehicle that prioritizes comfort, class, and elegance over outright sportiness. It’s best suited to buyers who enjoy open-top luxury motoring, scenic weekend drives, and advanced tech in a beautifully crafted package. It might not be the most powerful cabriolet in the range, but for many, its smooth power delivery, relaxing ride, and stunning looks will be more than enough. If you looking for something with a bit more oomph, perhaps the CLE 300 is more suited for you, with a possible AMG variant that could make its appearance in the country. Compared to its rivals, I think the Merc wins by a long shot, if they all had to be parked side by side, the CLE will definitely get all the attention.
SPECIFICATION
| Engine | 2.0L Turbo-Petrol |
| 9 G Tronic Automatic | |
320Nm | |
0-100km/h | 7.5 seconds |
R1,442,089* |
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