Louth Motoring: Mercedes CLE 220 D COUPE: Simply CLass(E)y

When I first clapped eyes on the C Class Coupe I fell in love with it. I adored the sleek curvy looks and its stance on the road.

It, for me, was the best looking Mercedes by a mile and was a favourite then and still is today.

They capitalised on its appeal and attracted more buyers with the similar looking E Class Coupe which was just that little but bigger and equally fetching and had the ability to eke more moola from prospective buyers, a skill Mercedes have honed and perfected. Of the two coupe’s I’d opt for the C Class being just about perfect for me.

Buyers have moved on and want to sit up higher and Mercedes catered for these with the likes of the runaway success the GLC, and the huge GLE so keeping two coupes may have been a bit excessive.

Hence the new CLE replaces both the C and E Class coupes which kind of makes sense and creates its own model in the process. Regardless of its DNA or parts used, it now has its own identity and is not a C or E class derivative.

In the bigger and better competition the CLE is 15mm longer than the E Class Coupe so you are already up a size if you are a previous C CLass Coupe owner.

The looks are very much stemming from the C CLass and all the better for it.

The press release uses adjectives like sleek, athletic and sporty with a splattering of dynamic and pzazz thrown in and I can't argue much with that.

From every angle it appeals and uses all of Mercedes history in producing a luxury coupe.

The transition from the roof to the rear is quite simply a work of art with the rear looking similar to other current models - I’m thinking strong A Class and CLA styling cues.

The sides have a broken crease at the waist that clearly justifies the oft used expression that it looks like it’s moving whilst it is standing still.

The interior must match the looks and finesse of the exterior and it does not disappoint.

It hasn't gone for the spartan look and there is a decent amount of buttons provided as well as the central command centre delivered by the obligatory touch screen that is steeply angled mirroring the sporty exterior look.

Materials are as expected, excellent, but I felt the below infotainment screen buttons that are press only are not as robust as they should be and don't deliver that Mercedes feel you expect.

The brain controlling the car is the MBUX system which is excellent and once you get used to it and figure out all the functions you have, and those you don't, it is easy enough to use.

It also helps that it has one of the best voice control system software in a car to save you using the touch screen. It is a good balance. The seats are super comfortable and there was no shortchanging the rear passengers in providing the same level of comfort.

The bigger size sees the boot capacity rise to 420 litres over the previous C Class Coupe which was 400 litres, but is 5 litres less than the E Class Coupe which fails the bigger and better new model test and also a bit surprising.

You can drop the rear seats though to cater for longer items or more load which gives tremendous flexibility in a shape not renowned for practicality by prioritising looks.

The drive is sublime and there is a setting for every buyer’s taste. I found it to be more on the stiff side when set to normal and where our roads disappoint the CLE firmly let you know so.

The R roads are a playground in this car and driving an assured car around bends knowing the car has excellent grip delivers a relaxed drive. You just let the issues of the world go by with the hedges.

The biggest joy I got from my time with the CLE was the range. My car offered me 1,270km of range when I got it and this is from some algorithm based on previous users consumption.

Regardless, it is a rare sight to see that sort of range with the proliferation of electric cars I get to drive lately.

I didn't do anywhere near the mileage to see if it delivered that range but I managed 5.6l/100kms so I’d say the prediction is close enough.

Prices start at €73,215 for the CLE 220 model. Mercedes will also offer CLE 300 and CLE 450 models with a mix of mild hybrid petrol and diesel engines.

I’ve always wanted a C CLass Coupe but chose an E Class when it came to actually buying a Mercedes, and I’m afraid if I was getting a new Mercedes and had to choose between the new E Class and the CLE, I’d opt for the E Class.

It fits my bill perfectly but if the CLE fits yours, then I wholeheartedly endorse your decision if you went for a CLE, it is equally divine.