Standard AMG Line, but not in Germany
With the Mercedes CLE we were recently presented with a completely new, genuine coupe. For the privilege of ownership you pay at least 70 grand in the Netherlands, but then you get something. Or is that disappointing?
Mercedes-Benz CLE 200 AMG Line – €69,763
In any case, anyone who orders a Mercedes-Benz CLE for the basic price will immediately receive a sturdy-looking copy. In the Netherlands, the car is delivered as standard in AMG Line trim, which, in addition to a sportier front and rear bumper, also includes 19-inch multi-spoke alloys. Not bad. Strange: ‘privacy glass’, i.e. dark glass for the rear (side) windows, is also standard. In the configurator there is a button to undo this without additional charge, but that option is missing from the price list and in practice the configurator also refuses this important step for the undersigned. The side windows are fitted with a beautiful contrasting frame in polished aluminum as standard.
Mercedes-Benz CLE 200 with AMG Line (standard in the Netherlands).
Mercedes-Benz CLE Avantgarde (the basic version in Germany).
Mercedes-Benz CLE 200 with AMG Line (standard in the Netherlands).
Mercedes-Benz CLE Avantgarde (the basic version in Germany).
In Germany, the CLE is available without an AMG package. For the occasion, we have included images of this, but we will rarely see the CLE like this in the Netherlands. In both countries the basic engine is the CLE 200, a 204 hp petrol version with (of course) an automatic transmission, which sprints from 0 to 100 in 7.3 seconds.
What is striking, but not unique to the CLE, is that the panoramic roof is always visible in the roof. Even those who do not order this option will receive a noticeable ‘seam’ in the roof, because the glass plate is simply replaced by a steel cover plate. This somewhat cheap and unattractive solution is also found on the C-class sedan, among others.
Black, gray, silver or blue
Contrasting? Yes, because the CLE is basically black. The good news, however, is that there is something to choose from for those who do not want to spend extra money, because the somewhat vague Graphite Gray, the beautiful Spectral Blue and the subdued High-tech Silver can also be selected without additional costs.
The interior of the basic CLE is always black, but there is still something to choose from here. In addition to the standard suede-like ‘microfiber’, you can also opt for black artificial leather. Yes: without surcharge. Brown or beige is also possible and costs a remarkably modest €182 extra. So that doesn’t have to be a deal breaker. Choose beige in combination with a spectral blue exterior and you will have a very stylish CLE that still costs less than 70 grand.
But… is the CLE really well executed? Actually yes. Mercedes equips every CLE with an 11.9-inch touchscreen with navigation, dual-zone automatic climate control, full LED lighting, an automatic seat belt reminder (!), a wireless phone charger, electrically adjustable front seats with memory and seat extender and seat heating. In our opinion, the biggest ‘misses’ are ‘keyless entry’ and adaptive cruise control, for which Mercedes charges extra money.
Despite the excellent standard equipment, there is of course every opportunity to make your CLE 200 more expensive. For example, you can opt for matrix LED headlights, more expensive types of upholstery, nicer seats, that panoramic roof, nicer decorative panels, seat ventilation, more extensive ambient lighting and a Burmester audio system. That is possible, but it is not actually necessary.
– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl