The temperature may be in the mid-40s in Dubai right now, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the pleasures of open-top driving. And to prove the point, I spent the weekend with the new Mercedes-Benz CLE300 Cabriolet, with the roof down, mostly. Cabriolets, convertibles, soft-tops, call them what you like, but they still have a romance about them: wind in your hair, cruising along the coast without a care in the world. I definitely didn’t need to worry about my hair (I’m bald) or the threat of rain (extremely unlikely during a Dubai summer).
What I did need to worry about though was my speed. It’s very easy to cruise up to 120kmh (and way beyond) in the blink of an eye. On my drive down to Abu Dhabi, the speed limits are a bit more generous so I really got a chance to open up the CLE300 4MATIC, and boy is it a smooth ride. At the heart of this sleek-looking beast is a 2.0-litre turbocharged, four-cylinder engine producing 400Nm. The press release quoted a 0 to 100kph sprint time of 6.5 seconds, but it felt much faster in real life. The engine is supported by a 48V mild-hybrid system, capable of coasting with the engine off. In other words, the power comes very quickly and easily – thankfully there’s a heads-up display that lets you constantly monitor your speed.
Going fast is one thing but what struck me was the CLE 300’s roadhandling, even at high speeds. Taking corners at a lightning pace was effortless as the car anticipated my every move. The press release said the car floats and, while most people would laugh, it felt like it was gliding on tarmac at times. It was possibly the smoothest Mercedes-Benz I’ve driven, and I’ve driven an awful lot of them.
Inside the cabin, everything looks hi-tech and futuristic, which is what I’ve come to expect from Mercedes-Benz with shiny black surfaces and warm glowing ambient lighting everywhere. With the top up it still felt roomy in the front seat, which is unusual for a sleek cabriolet. But with the top down, which takes about 20 seconds, it transforms the cabin into an oasis of light and noise. You can go fully commando with the windows down along with the AIRCAP wind deflection off, and get the full breeze coming in. Or keep the windows up and engage the wind deflector in the back, to make it more serene inside.
Mercedes-Benz is a German luxury brand so the car is primarily designed for European climes. So the idea of the AIRCAP is to keep things warm when the roof is down if you are driving in colder conditions. Here in Dubai, you need the opposite. With the roof down and sun beating down, you can enjoy a good blast of aircon which is partially circulated around the cabin.
Raise the roof
There is a dual-screen layout, an 11.9-inch touchscreen and 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, which have a spaceship-like quality to them. The central screen is tilt-adjustable to combat glare when the roof is down. Smart idea. Standard features include wireless charging, augmented-reality navigation, and a 17-speaker Burmester surround sound system. This is especially effective thanks to two speakers mounted near the front headrests, creating a private concert experience enhanced by Dolby Atmos and Spatial Audio.
There are sacrifices to be made with a cabriolet, like boot space which is on the smallish size. But then again, if you want more boot space, go and buy an SUV. It’s low to the ground also, so be careful of speed bumps and bad backs getting in and out. They say everyone should own a convertible car at some point in their lives, not just 50-something men going through a mid-life crisis. There is definitely something exciting about pushing that button in the centre console to open the roof, the novelty never wore off.
But this car isn’t all show, it’s thoughtful too. Optional leather upholstery comes treated with a sun-reflective coating to keep surfaces cooler under direct sunlight, remaining up to 12°C less hot than untreated leather. And despite being a two-door, this CLE Cabriolet is the largest convertible in its segment. Whether you’re cruising the coastline or speeding along a desert road, the roof down makes you feel alive. You might start your journey frazzled or on low battery, but after every trip in the CLE300 I left the car with a smile on my face and a spring in my step.
