PLUG-IN PICK (some text hidden) --NONE--

By Jonathan Crouch

Mercedes brings PHEV power to its CLE Coupe with this 300 e variant. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 34

Our pick of the Mercedes CLE Coupe range is this 300 e Plug-in Hybrid version. As well as suburban EV capability, it gains wafty rear air suspension and offers a luxurious turn of pace.

Backgroundword count: 217

What kind of engine might work best with an old-school premium executive mid-sized coupe? Mercedes has tried quite a few over the many years it has made such a thing, assembling a heritage of two-door trendsetters stretching right back to the '50s. During this century's second decade, the brand was represented in this niche segment by the C205-era C-Class Coupe and the C238-era E-Class Coupe, both of which, interestingly, were most favoured by customers in their diesel guises. In late 2023, when the CLE Coupe was introduced to replace both of these models, Mercedes was needing to reduce its reliance on diesel sales and so, to sell alongside black pump-fuelled variants, it introduced a petrol powerplant it thought might suit some Coupe customers rather better. Hence the arrival of this model, the CLE 300 e Plug-in Hybrid. You might worry about some of the issues that adding PHEV tech to a car of this kind might create. You don't want extra weight to spoil agile coupe handling. You don't want reduced boot space to minimise your sports two-door's capacity for grand touring. And a Mercedes coupe is already expensive enough without adding the extra cost of PHEV tech to the asking price. Can this CLE 300 e still succeed in the face of such odds? Let's see.

Engines and Tech Specword count: 190

The CLE 300 e uses what Mercedes calls its '4th generation' Hybrid powertrain. In this case, that sees a four cylinder 2.0-litre petrol turbo M254 engine with 204hp paired with a permanent magnet synchronous motor contributing 150hp. That motor is energised by a 25.4kWh nickel-manganese-cobalt battery that can power the car for up to 69 miles before fossil fuel kicks in. The drive system is paired with the brand's usual 9G-TRONIC Plus 9-speed automatic gearbox. And total output is 309hp, enough despite the portly 2.1-tonne kerb weight, to power the car to 62mph in 6.3s en route to 147mph. Apart from the drivetrain, what's really different to other CLE variants is the damping. Instead of the conventional Agility Control sports suspension the other models in the range use, the 300 e (no doubt due to its heavier weight) get self-levelling adjustable air suspension on the rear axle in place of the usual steel coils. You should find the result to be the best-riding variant in the range. Thanks to the weight, don't expect sharp handling, but most customers will be prioritising the quiet, luxurious vibe this car's comfortably serves up.

To see the full road test text contact us on 0330 0020 227