CLE (C236) [Official] Mercedes-Benz CLE Coupé (C236)

[vios1]

The new CLE, a C-class coupe or E-class coupe? to me a CLA 2 doors coupe suit the car more. It is not bad looking but I am disappointed, the design does not carry the weight of the new CLE.

 

[Merc1]

It's the same things BMW does with the 4 series coupe, or Audi with the A5 coupe.

Exactly they're all just 2-door versions of the sedans that they share a chassis with. It's more marketing than anything substance wise.

M

 

[Merc1]

This would have been a great C-Class update.

M

 

[Serpens]

Not really, not at all, the ones you named are cars that are clearly different from the 4-door ones, extremely different, it's more than obvious, so obvious that I don't understand why you mention that which is the complete opposite

The 4-series and A5 very clearly share interiors with the 3-series and A4 and have all the same powertrains. So not extremely different at all. The A5’s front end is almost identical to the A4’s to boot. The 4-series is more distinct in the front of rear except if you’re comparing the M3 and M4.

 

[Gor134]

If the taillights are identical to that on the GLC Coupe for cost-cutting reasons, it could explain why the trunk shape looks so awkward/slopes so much.

 

[Ruktam]

how can this car be associated with an E lettering when the car is clearly is a C and especially a font of an A

 

[Mick Briesgau]

This would have been a great C-Class update.

M

Agreed. It’s a very good looking and tasteful C class coupé extended facelift. What it’s not, is a suitable offering for the current E class coupé customers.

 

[Centurion]

This would have been a great C-Class update.

M

It's the morning after. I have sobered up and think the car looks fine. Think about the big picture. The new C, S and E front ends aren't exactly revolutionary. Therefore it was plausible that the CLE wouldn't rock the boat.

At least the design is a bit more daring then that of the E-Coupe.

It was a coin toss whether or not there will be a six cylinder variant. I am glad that there will be one.

 

[advantage20]

Even though, expectedly so, this model is technically much more heavily based on the C-Class/GLC range than on the E-Class range, the upgrade to the CLE moniker rather than just remaining C Coupé or CLC makes sense, because no matter what, it's still an upgrade in terms of upscaleness and there is no intermediate step available in the nomenclature between C and E; plus as already pointed out, BMW is doing something similar with its 3/4 Series pair and Audi with its A4/A5 pair.

Now in terms of design end result, what a disaster: The profile, which is the one viewing angle of paramount importance that mustn't be screwed up on a coupé, looks incredibly clumsy, chubby and heavy -- an amazing feat given the huge 4m93 overall available length compared to the competitors, and somehow manages to seem lunging forward and being hunched over at the same time

A complete lack of elegance, premiumness, dynamism and sportiness all at once, which, again, is baffling given how much real estate was available to play with.

The carry-over of the GLC Coupé's rear fascia (already inconceivable per se) is likely to blame for the very slanted decklid and subsequently the very small space left to fit the trunklid -- what works well on the GLC Coupé thanks to a taller rear end and a prominent rearward poking spoiler that counteracts the forward lean doesn't work on the CLE anymore due to the lack of such spoiler

Add to that the extreme likeness of the front fascia to the CLA's, no matter that there aren't any common parts being shared there, and overall, this to my eye is definitely the most bewildering design fail of the Three-Pointed Star in a long time.

 

[Mick Briesgau]

Well, to me that whale looks very elegant and sleek. Same goes for the CLE.

 

[Gor134]

The carry-over of the GLC Coupé's rear fascia (already inconceivable per se) is likely to blame for the very slanted decklid and subsequently the very small space left to fit the trunklid -- what works well on the GLC Coupé thanks to a taller rear end and a prominent rearward poking spoiler that counteracts the forward lean doesn't work on the CLE anymore due to the lack of such spoiler

I agree with this 100%

They should've defined the trunk area more with an outwards protrusion like the GLC.

 

[klugscheisser87]

The thing that bothers me the most is the rised greenhouse end.

IMO It would look way more elegant and upmarket with a straight greenhouse line.

 

[klier]

I seriously find it incredible they put the very same rear lights as the GLC. Incredible in the negative sense. Probably a new all time low for MB.
The whole rear looks ridiculous because of those lights. The slope of the deck is completely over the top......
Only view I remotely like is the side because of its proportions. And even the side looks weak.

At least BMW has the NK revolution upcoming. Hope something similar is happening at MB, because they both are at their lowest points.

 

[SKY]

I seriously find it incredible they put the very same rear lights as the GLC. Incredible in the negative sense. Probably a new all time low for MB.
The whole rear looks ridiculous because of those lights. The slope of the deck is completely over the top......
Only view I remotely like is the side because of its proportions. And even the side looks weak.

At least BMW has the NK revolution upcoming. Hope something similar is happening at MB, because they both are at their lowest points.

Agree 100%. This car’s design is so cheap it’s just offensive for MB as a brand.

Really hard to be a fan of the 3 big German brands nowadays.

 

[klier]

Agree 100%. This car’s design is so cheap it’s just offensive for MB as a brand.

Cheap through and through. With ZERO news design. The same old stuff we have seen for two decades, or on different models.

BMW's are fugly, but at least unique. This here is fugly old and done. Which to me is much more of a crime. Gordon is such a tool.

 

[leylandi]

I seriously find it incredible they put the very same rear lights as the GLC. Incredible in the negative sense. Probably a new all time low for MB.
The whole rear looks ridiculous because of those lights. The slope of the deck is completely over the top......
Only view I remotely like is the side because of its proportions. And even the side looks weak.

At least BMW has the NK revolution upcoming. Hope something similar is happening at MB, because they both are at their lowest points.

MMA, MB.EA, AMG.EA platform..

 

[klier]

MMA, MB.EA, AMG.EA platform..

Tech should be a-ok if the EQXX is anything to go by.

I desperately hope for a new design direction. It truly is time and I want my Benzes to be pretty.

 

[klugscheisser87]

Agree 100%. This car’s design is so cheap it’s just offensive for MB as a brand.

Really hard to be a fan of the 3 big German brands nowadays.

Cannot agree more.

It seem a broken algorythm runs the companies currently.

The electrifiication hit them too hard I guess.

 

[dalab]

BMW 8 series coupe - 4.851 mm
Mercedes CLE coupe - 4.850 mm

In the photos it can be seen chunky and unfortunately the proportions and design of the profile are traced to the C-Class coupe, (I must say that I saw the latter in person recently and it is much nicer), much better than in photos, but those measurements of the CLE are no coincidence, it is much bigger than any previous E-Cass. And with that fact in mind, this car IRL has to look somewhat more "elegant" than the C-Coupe and beyond that, its appearance must be impressive to look at due to its enormous size without a doubt.

The front however, the one I see is identical to the CLA, I don't know if in "giant" size it is as luxurious as a big coupe deserves or it will only look cheap.

It completely lacks the aura of the E-Class'es prior to the CLK's, and of the two CLKs themselves, it does not achieve what I wanted it to be... a Mercedes coupe with that secret magic, but well, today you have to shut up until you see them in person, for now it looks boring more than anything.

Mercedes is mistakenly appealing to continue being a brand for old people IMO, those of the BIN parts puzzle of other models have already gone from funny to embarrassing

*Not a minor detail, it is almost 9 cm taller than the 8 coupe! being the same length.

 

[klugscheisser87]

BMW 8 series coupe - 4.851 mm
Mercedes CLE coupe - 4.850 mm

In the photos it can be seen chunky and unfortunately the proportions and design of the profile are traced to the C-Class coupe, (I must say that I saw the latter in person recently and it is much nicer), much better than in photos, but those measurements of the CLE are no coincidence, it is much bigger than any previous E-Cass. And with that fact in mind, this car IRL has to look somewhat more "elegant" than the C-Coupe and beyond that, its appearance must be impressive to look at due to its enormous size without a doubt.

The front however, the one I see is identical to the CLA, I don't know if in "giant" size it is as luxurious as a big coupe deserves or it will only look cheap.

It completely lacks the aura of the E-Class'es prior to the CLK's, and of the two CLKs themselves, it does not achieve what I wanted it to be... a Mercedes coupe with that secret magic, but well, today you have to shut up until you see them in person, for now it looks boring more than anything.

Mercedes is mistakenly appealing to continue being a brand for old people IMO, those of the BIN parts puzzle of other models have already gone from funny to embarrassing

*Not a minor detail, it is almost 9 cm taller than the 8 coupe! being the same length.

The length has nothing to do, 2 different segments. It’s a 4er territory.

BMW tried to go upmarket but it didn’t go well for the 8er. There is more risk playing in higher segements than in the lower. That’s why it was a flop.

Mercedes indeed cheaped out, but in that lower segment they will surelly screw some sales from that ICE arch where it’s still possible until the complete transition is done. At the end it’s just a C-E-Coupe merge, nothing that goes beyond a CLS. The compromise can be forgiven easier than at S-Coupe level.