Behind the wheel of the Mercedes-Benz CLE 300 4 MATIC Coupe – a rather
handsome two door Coupe on a long-wheelbase - powered by a 2.0-litre turbo
four-cylinder petrol engine assisted by a 48-volt mild hybrid system mated to a
nine-speed automatic driving all four wheels. Ownership rather exclusive with
just 499 sold last year – priced at $124,900 plus on-road costs. So how does it
drive - the petrol engine delivers 190kW of power, 400 Nm of torque, the hybrid
system contributing more power and torque under hard acceleration – the pairing
improving fuel efficiency and I managed 7.9L/100KM, not bad for a rather heavy
coupe on 95 grade petrol. Sharing its underpinnings with the latest C-Class and
E-Class sedan but with an AMG-inspired sports suspension that is 15mm lower
and with calibrated steering that varies in each of the four drive modes - along
with sharper gear shifts this is a sports coupe with real driving appeal. Ride
quality however can get a little hard, the real surprise, the amount of noise
intrusion into the cabin on a harsh surface, something I wouldn’t expect on a car
at this value. But overall, the new Mercedes-Benz CLE 300 coupe a very polished
performer. I’m David Berthon

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Driving the Mercedes-Benz CLE Coupe today – the German company
rationalizing its coupe and cabriolet line-up last year – the previous C and E-
Class coupe and cabriolet replaced by the CLE 200 and 300 coupe and cabriolet
– now both four-cylinder mild hybrids. I drove the CLE 300 4MATIC coupe at
$124,900 plus on-road costs – powered by a 2-0-litre turbo petrol engine mated to
a nine-speed automatic assisted by a 48-volt mild hybrid system, and unlike the
two-wheel drive CLE 200, drive goes to all four wheels. The CLE Coupe sits on a
stretched wheelbase - a most handsome and beautifully appointed luxury two
door Coupe – the body accentuated by a pronounced shark nose, bonnet power
domes, a front and rear apron and side sills. The interior a knockout, with large
centre screen, a configurable 12.3 instrument cluster, a head up instrument
display and very sculptured and supportive front seats in high grade leather – the
rear seat cramped with difficult access and for the most part the CLE 300 is best
described as a comfortable two-seater. Disappointments, a lack of buttons for
climate and audio controls and the slider controls on the steering wheel for
volume and cruise control frustrating to use. Drive details next. I’m David Berthon

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On his first day as U.S. President Donald Trump honoured a pre-election promise
by abandoning the Biden Administrations electric vehicle targets, despite the fact
that U.S. electric car maker Tesla’s CEO Elon Musk had donated $320 million to
help Trump gain office. The mandate signed as an executive order by Joe Biden
in 2021 was to aim for half of all new vehicle sales in the U.S. to be zero-emission
battery electric by 2030. Whilst this target was not legally binding it had already
been reduced from 63 percent after Biden had given in to U.S. car makers and
lobby groups. Trump has also pledged to tax Chinese made cars out of the US,
beyond the 102 percent tariff already applied. At last July’s Republican National
Convention Trump said “ I will end the electric vehicle mandate on day one,
thereby saving the auto industry from complete obliteration.” I’m David Berthon

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