These are two of the six new launches lined up from Mercedes for the remainder of the year.
Just off the back of two new launches with the all-new EQA and EQB facelift, Mercedes-Benz India has confirmed two more launches for next month – the CLE Cabriolet and the GLC 43 4Matic Coupe. The new CLE will be Mercedes’ third convertible in India after the E 53 Cabriolet and the SL 55 Roadster; the GLC 43 will join the GLC range as a new top-spec performance variant. Both models are set to be launched on August 8 when they’ll arrive as full imports. These two are among the six new launches that Mercedes-Benz has lined up for the remainder of 2024.
Mercedes-Benz CLE Cabriolet: what to expect?
Globally unveiled in July 2023, the new CLA is based on Mercedes’ Modular Rear Architecture (MRA) platform which it shares not with just the current C-Class, but also the upcoming, new-gen E-Class. The CLE is available in both coupe and convertible guises in markets overseas, but Mercedes-Benz will only be offering the convertible version here in India.
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The CLE borrows styling cues from the outgoing E-Class coupe and cabriolet – It gets a large grille with a shark nose effect, a long bonnet, and an automatic multi-layered fabric hood that neatly folds away into the boot at the rear. The CLE is longer than both the outgoing C- and E-Class coupes. Inside, the CLE features the latest C-Class’ interior with a 12.3-inch instrument and 11.9-inch portrait-style infotainment displays, and comes with a 2+2 seating layout.
Mercedes-Benz, however, hasn’t confirmed the exact spec in which the CLE will be offered in India. Internationally, the CLE range starts with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that’s available in two states of tune – the CLE 200 with 204hp and the CLE 300 4Matic with 258hp; then there’s the CLE 450 4Matic with a 3.0-litre six-cylinder petrol engine making 380hp. There’s also a CLE 200d with a 2.0-litre diesel producing 197hp of power.
Mercedes will likely offer the CLE in either 300 4Matic or 450 4Matic guise, and prices can be expected to be north of Rs 1 crore (ex-showroom). All variants get a 48V mild-hybrid setup that provides an additional 22hp and 200Nm of torque via a gearbox-mounted electric motor; the gearbox is a 9-speed torque converter unit. The CLE also gets a hot AMG version in 53 spec with 449hp abroad, but that’s unlikely to come to India. It will see competition from the BMW Z4 M40i in India.
Mercedes-Benz GLC 43 4Matic Coupe: what to expect?
The new GLC 43 Coupe was unveiled in September last year, and the big news here is that it ditches the 3.0-litre bi-turbo, six cylinder engine from the outgoing model, and instead, is powered by a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged engine with mild-hybrid tech which it shares with C43 AMG 4Matic. Here on the GLC, this powertrain produces 421hp and 500Nm of torque for a 0 to 100kph sprint in 4.7 seconds, and has an electronically limited top speed of 250kph. The engine is mated to a 9-speed automatic gearbox, sending power to all four wheels. It also gets rear-wheel steering, high-performance brakes, speed-sensing steering and adjustable suspension dampers as standard.
Besides the coupe-like sloped rear end, the GLC 43 feature typical AMG design cues. This includes AMG-specific grille, sportier front and rear bumpers, new alloy wheels of up to 21-inch in size, AMG-specific side skirting and a prominent rear diffuser with quad exhausts – two on each side. The interior is largely shared with the regular GLC, but new touches include an AMG-spec steering wheel, sporty seats with nappa leather with AMG branded pedals and floor mats, and illuminated door sills. There’s also unique AMG graphics on the digital instrument cluster and the touchscreen infotainment system.
Given that the C43 AMG 4Matic was priced at Rs 98 lakh at launch, the GLC 43 4Matic can be expected to also be priced above a crore. It will see competition from the X3 M40i in India.
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