Six-cylinder and summer breeze: On the road with the Mercedes CLE 450 Cabriolet - smooth and fast

What could be more enjoyable than gliding through the mild summer breeze in a Mercedes with the top down? And with a refined and powerful inline six-cylinder engine, as standard in the CLE 450 4Matic? ntv.de took a closer look at the convertible.

The path to (automotive) happiness takes about 20 seconds. The fabric hood of the Mercedes CLE Cabriolet doesn't take any longer than that to gently whir away toward the trunk, creating a spot under the open sky. True luxury isn't more, but less car; it's always been that way. However, convertibles are becoming more exclusive, simply because so many models have been discontinued in recent years.

Topless cars have become rare and tend to be more expensive – a small car without a roof is almost impossible to find these days. The brand with the three-pointed star has also thinned out its offerings. While there used to be C-, E-, and S-Class convertibles, plus the SLK and SL, now only the CLE and SL remain. But how many convertibles do people actually need?

If you believe Mercedes, the CLE is positioned somewhere between the E-Class and C-Class. But honestly? I don't believe that theory. Just in terms of length, the grown-up convertible is more E-Class than C-Class (4.85 meters), and just because there's no so-called superscreen—which is the primary difference—doesn't mean you're downgraded to a C-Class. Especially not when the silky-smooth inline six-cylinder engine is thrashing away under the long hood with its power domes—which isn't even available in the C-Class. And that's what you'd want for complete convertible bliss.

The CLE is more gentle than sporty

The six-cylinder engine is simply a better fit for the upscale car category, even if it no longer sounds as sonorous as it did in the old days, when the fuel-air mixture was injected into the intake manifold rather than directly into the combustion chamber. Instead, the sound designers gave the CLE a more sporty sound, which is only audible across the entire rev range. Otherwise, the three-liter turbo remains whisper-quiet.

Fundamentally, the open-top Mercedes is a smooth companion, which is also reflected in the chassis. It rolls over rough roads with ease, and the comfortable seats also invite you to drive for many kilometers at a time without fatigue—at least in theory.

The CLE is actually a fair-weather weekend cruiser that certainly doesn't usually do long distances, but at least it should be able to handle an extended vacation trip every now and then. But now, instead of philosophizing, we're going to drive. Without the roof, to check out the fresh air factor.

Just because you drive a convertible doesn't guarantee a storm will blow you away. And indeed, the Benz is rather kind to its front passengers; it's no British roadster with a steep windscreen. And you can reduce the airflow even further with an electrically extendable, but dubious-looking wind deflector and wind blocker. Want more air? Then head for the rear seating niches—sorry, the CLE doesn't offer a whole lot of room in the second row. But it's in good company, because spacious convertibles (referring to the rear) are simply rare, unless you're looking for the Kennedy car, i.e. the four-door Lincoln Continental convertible.

Real storm only in the rear

Still, there's something special about sitting in the back. Here you can feel the storm, and with it, a sense of freedom. And if you can find a willing driver who's willing to let the all-wheel drive really get going, the storm turns into a real hurricane. A physical hurricane and an emotional hurricane. After all, the 2.1-ton vehicle can blast from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.7 seconds, which is quite a strain on the body, especially when it's exposed to the elements. And the maximum speed is 250 km/h – so you'll need to buckle up and hold on tight if you want to brave the gusts at that speed.

But the CLE can also be used moderately. And those who want to enjoy fresh air in cooler temperatures can use the so-called Airscarf – a virtually built-in hairdryer that blows warm air directly from the headrest onto the back of the neck. Is something like this necessary, or is it a gimmick for effeminate individuals who have actually bought into the product? A fascinating discussion.

And the 236 series incorporates a few even older, traditional Mercedes features. It's always a source of a chuckle when the seatbelt whirs as it's handed over due to the lack of a B-pillar. Otherwise, it's difficult to reach it. The ability to adjust the angle of the central touchscreen, for improved readability in bright sunlight, also falls into the category of practical gimmicks. And: You can actually fold down the rear seat! In a convertible! In case the approximately 300 liters of luggage space aren't enough when traveling with two people.

Is there any criticism of this everyday dream car? Yes, of course, although Mercedes has apparently recognized the problem and is now gradually improving it: The seat adjustment buttons in the door panels don't yet offer haptic feedback in this model. This has already been changed in the new CLA, so Mercedes is apparently listening to the requests.

The only question that remains is the price. Now, one might wonder whether it's good news that the open-top six-cylinder still costs five figures. But at around €95,000 (Mercedes hasn't been more precise since the switch to the new pricing model), it's damn close to the €100,000 threshold. After all, you don't necessarily need optional extras, since the two best features are the inline six-cylinder engine and the fresh air intake via the opening top.