Drop top Mercedes-Benz welcomes the summer sun

With timing perfect for a long hot summer, Mercedes-Benz has unveiled its new CLE Cabriolet, adding to the brand’s long-standing tradition of four-seater convertible cars. Built on the platform of the CLE Coupé, the new Cabriolet is also equipped with a number of features designed to ensure year-round usability, even in cooler weather.

Among the highlights are the AIRCAP electric wind deflector and AIRSCARF head-level heating system, both of which have been enhanced for this model. The AIRCAP system directs airflow over the cabin to reduce turbulence, while the AIRSCARF provides warm air around the necks of front-seat passengers, helping to make open-top driving more comfortable in colder conditions.

Check out our website for the very best in pre-owned vehicles such as the CLE

The convertible soft top is a fabric acoustic design, available in black, red, or grey, and provides insulation for better thermal comfort and reduced noise. The top can be raised or lowered in 20 seconds, even while driving at speeds of up to 60 km/h. Powered exclusively by electricity, the soft top operation is quieter than previous models, and a powered roller divider separates the folded roof from the luggage compartment.

Alex Boavida, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Mercedes-Benz South Africa, noted the new CLE Cabriolet offers customers a wide range of choices for personalisation, with competitive pricing for this class of vehicle – CLE 200 – R1 515 350 and CLE 300 4Matic – R1 573 651.

Inside, the 12,3-inch digital instrument display and 11,9-inch central touchscreen are key features, with the latter tilting to reduce glare when the roof is down.

For finance deals that sit comfortably with your needs click here

Seats in the CLE Cabriolet are designed for comfort and practicality. To prevent the seats from becoming too hot in the sun, the leather features a special coating that reflects infrared rays, helping the seats remain cooler in direct sunlight.

Its larger dimensions compared to the C-Class Cabriolet result in extra space for rear-seat passengers, with increased knee, shoulder, and elbow room. The boot offers a practical 385-litre capacity, which can be extended by folding the rear seats in a 60:40 split and includes the convenience of hands-free access for automatic opening.

The standard comfort suspension has been lowered by 15 mm but, for those seeking a more performance-oriented setup, an optional sports suspension with amplitude-selective damping is available, along with the Dynamic Body Control system. This adaptive suspension allows drivers to adjust the car's damping settings based on their preference, driving conditions, and road surface.

For the best insurance deal click here

Under the bonnet, all CLE Cabriolet models are equipped with mild-hybrid engines, featuring a 48-volt electrical system and an integrated starter-generator for improved efficiency and performance.

The model range 

Colin Windell for Colin-on-Cars in association with

proudly ALL THINGS MOTORING