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

[AndreB]

I agree about the admission. I don’t think it will be costly at all to engineer this car for the V8. Piece of cake for them to do that. The costly part is all that development money spent on the hybrid system that will apparently and clearly will never recoup the investment made in it.

I don't know, the V8 needs more cooling, stiffer suspension, testing, etc. Indeed the R&D for the 4-cyl hybrid was a big waste and a weak effort I'd say if they couldn't manage to make the C63 under 2 tons.

 

[Gor134]

I don't know, the V8 needs more cooling, stiffer suspension, testing, etc.

Hmmm.. if only AMG had decades of experience testing and developing high performance V8 models... Oh give it a break, Mercedes-AMG absolutely has the capability to reengineer the CLE to have a V8. After all there are other MRA2 models that use the V8 and I'm sure they can reuse components from the CLE53 too.

 

[Rolf]

Hmmm.. if only AMG had decades of experience testing and developing high performance V8 models... Oh give it a break, Mercedes-AMG absolutely has the capability to reengineer the CLE to have a V8. After all there are other MRA2 models that use the V8 and I'm sure they can reuse components from the CLE53 too.

Remember the V8 powered C55 AMG W203 that came out in 2004. It was introduced only 3 years after the V6 C32 AMG came out. So they have the abilities to install the 4.0 V8 without a problem in the CLE and C-class.

 

[mini_cooper4]

You make a mistake - you take the hit.
You fix that mistake - you earn people's appreciation.
An I6 would do but they went all out!
Now that would be something... can't wait!

 

[AbsoluteUnit]

I don't know, the V8 needs more cooling, stiffer suspension, testing, etc. Indeed the R&D for the 4-cyl hybrid was a big waste and a weak effort I'd say if they couldn't manage to make the C63 under 2 tons.

I mean the E-performance would be heavier anyway, so I don't think it would be that much of an issue. Maybe an issue with weight distribution, but people would pay the price of admission just for a V8 Coupe, that isn't as expensive as the AMG GT

 

[PHYBENZ]

That C55 had the front end of the CLK retrofitted because the V8 couldn't fit.

 

[AbsoluteUnit]

The CLE can house a straight 6, so I think a V8 should be fine packaging wise.

 

[Merc1]

Yeah that packaging is no sweat. It’s the money on the other end that is going to sting.

M

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

They're going to blame it on changing EU regulations, not crap sales.

You'd have to be absolutely bonkers to buy a C63 now.

 

[Merc1]

I don’t see how them going back to a V8 will be blamed on regulations.

M

 

[Serpens]

I don’t see how them going back to a V8 will be blamed on regulations.

M

The EU was originally headed towards much more strict emissions standards. They've since been relaxed.

 

[Matski]

I wouldn't buy the emissions line as an excuse.

Euro 7 wasn't going to make NOx emissions any more stringent for Petrol cars anyway, the old C63 V8 would then have done the job as it's well under the 60mg limit already. In terms of CO2 the e-Performance models are pretty hopeless anyway as they don't have the electric range to properly fudge the WLTP test figures. BMW's M760e and XM for example report 30-50g/km with an electric range of about 80km, the C63 and S63 E performance are 240-270g/km with electric ranges easily less than half of the BMWs. A meaningful reduction in the on paper CO2 figure just needs a bigger battery - it would make a far, far bigger difference than halving the amount of cylinders has done.

I don't doubt future emissions fines play into the financial decisions in product planning somewhere, but given the link between the powertrain and their F1 cars, and the fact their hypercar is a 1.6l V6 with lots of electric assist, and how well the 4 cylinder A45 was recieved, I'd be reasonably sure it was a marketing decision to go the small displacement route in the first place, and it's a marketing decision to change it now.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

The EU was originally headed towards much more strict emissions standards. They've since been relaxed.

Yup exactly. Mercedes committed all out to the higher regulation standards, probably expecting them to get even tighter, and has been caught out badly. If the comments about Ola and his wife being tree huggers are correct, he was probably instrumental in pushing the case for smaller engines, whether it was marketing or engineering driven.

I don't think Ola is proving an adept CEO. I hope he manages to steer the ship around.

 

[empower77]

The CLE can house a straight 6, so I think a V8 should be fine packaging wise.

The CLE is a big old boy.. I don’t think it’s impossible to fit the 4.0TT into the bay.

 

[Merc1]

Of course it is. If the previous C could do it the CLE can do it.

M

 

[Merc1]

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

I don't like this guy's videos because of all he hocus pocus shite he does, but there is some great footage of the CLE Cabriolet.

M

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

I don't like this guy's videos because of all he hocus pocus shite he does, but there is some great footage of the CLE Cabriolet.

M

I LOVE his hocus pocus shit. I love when the previous generation morphs into the new generation or when he speculates a future trim. Best effects of any reviewer and renders which are probably more accurate than 90% of the crap put out.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Pricing for the CLE200 and CLE300 released in Australia.

* Stupid packaging including a standard night pack across the range
* Lack of individual options
* CLE300 is around AUD$12,000 more expensive than a E300 Coupe. No thanks!

 

[lukeswiss]

Pricing for the CLE200 and CLE300 released in Australia.

* Stupid packaging including a standard night pack across the range
* Lack of individual options
* CLE300 is around AUD$12,000 more expensive than a E300 Coupe. No thanks!

Maybe it’s because the Aussie dollar has been so low.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Maybe it’s because the Aussie dollar has been so low.

Perhaps. Good point. But in terms of prestige and quality it is a step down from the E-Coupe.