What's the difference?
Freedom of choice has been the focus for the luxury car industry for more than a decade. Buyers were free to choose from a seemingly endless amount of variations and bodystyles to suit their taste and lifestyle.
It gave birth to the ‘four-door coupe’ then the ‘SUV coupe’ and so many more. But now it seems car makers have reached their limit, as evidenced by Mercedes-Benz’s newest offering - the CLE Coupe and Cabriolet.
While technically a new addition to the range, the CLE actually replaces not one existing model, but two. The CLE will fill the gap left by both the C-Class Coupe and E-Class Coupe, allowing the German brand to simplify its line-up (ever so slightly).
So, what is the CLE Coupe and how will it live up to expectations of two different car buyers? Read on to find out…
The electric car world has seen a few seven-seat SUVs hit the ground running recently and for good reason. The dream of lowering your emissions without sacrificing space for the family is a tempting one. But let’s be honest, there still aren’t a whole lot of options out there.
Enter the flagship Volvo EX90 Ultra Twin Motor Performance. It brings together the elegant design and thoughtful functionality Volvo is known for, now paired with a premium tech offering and a powerful new electric drivetrain.
Will it be enough to tempt buyers over the line? I've spent a week with it to find out.
The CLE Coupe really feels like a car of the times. As the electric vehicle market continues to suck in resources, the days of endless variants and body styles is going to wane. But the truth is the CLE does a nice job of filling the demands that both previous C-Class Coupe and E-Class Coupe buyers are looking for.
It’s a stylish model with plenty of technology on the inside, so it should appeal to those who want something refined and elegant for their lifestyle. It has a hint of sportiness on road, without being overtly dynamic or uncomfortable; although Mercedes-AMG will cater to those buyers soon enough. And it offers the kind of space inside that buyers of both models will find acceptable (as long as they don’t have to climb into the back regularly).
The biggest challenge will be convincing C-Class customers to take the big jump up in price over the model it replaces, while at the same time convincing E-Class buyers that this is still something special and different given its similarities to the old model.
Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with travel, accommodation and meals provided.
The new Volvo EX90 Ultra Twin Motor Performance strikes a great balance between sophistication and practicality. It looks sharp, drives beautifully, and delivers a solid range with fast charging to match. Adding to that is a comfortable, family-friendly cabin with space for seven. It’s hard not to be impressed.
There are a couple of technology beats it misses but it's still an easy SUV to live with.