Mercedes-Benz CLE Cabriolet arrives with top-down innovations.
Mercedes-Benz make some of the most innovative convertible cars and the all-new CLE Cabriolet is no exception. This model replaces two existing cars – the C-Class Cabriolet and the E-Class Cabriolet from the previous generation. With this new CLE Cabriolet Mercedes-Benz didn’t just lob the top off the coupé model and call it a day. Today, the company revealed some details about the car in its launch specification in anticipation of its arrival in European showrooms in April. Here’s what we learnt.
CLE Cabriolet Innovations
There are a couple of familiar entries here from the previous models.
The first thing to talk about here is the new Aircap electric wind deflector system which consists of two elements – the wind deflector on the windscreen and one more behind the head restraints. The first one directs airflow over the occupants’ heads while the other one reduces turbulence more efficiently.
The second is the Airscarf, which is a headroom heating system, which produces warmer airflow around the necks and throats of the front seat occupants. This is especially useful in cooler countries as one might imagine.
The acoustic soft top is made out of a multi-layer structure that reduces wind and driving noise. Plus it opens and closes within just 20 seconds even when the car is being driven at up to 60km/h. This is the first time the standard fit soft top is only electrically operated, meaning 0 hydraulics for quieter operation.
There’s also a standard-fit powered roller divider which automatically separates the folded soft top from the rest of the luggage compartment.
The 11.9″ infotainment system can be tilted should there be glare from the sun when the top is down – a small but welcome innovation.
What’s more, Mercedes-Benz have fitted the optional leather seats with a special coating which reflects the sun’s infrared rays. They say that this improvement alone results in the leather staying 12 degrees cooler in direct sunlight versus untreated standard leather. This effect also works with the top closed and we think it could be great in all Mercedes-Benz vehicles sold in Malaysia. The leather is available in black, macchiato beige/black, tonka brown/black, power red/black and white/black.
The front seats are also a CLE-exclusive and come with the optional Burmester 3D surround sound system with loudspeakers at the same level as the head restraints for a more immersive experience even with the top down.
Almost all convertible models have reduced boot space when the top is down, and the CLE Cabriolet is no exception. The volume of usable space drops from 385L to 295L with the roof gone but the rear seat backrests can be folded down for more room.
Of course MBUX also has some innovations here, like setting voice-activated templates for standard routines.
