A NEW two-door coupe has been revealed by Mercedes-Benz with the CLE replacing both the C-Class and E-Class versions.

Due for release by the end of the year, the CLE is longer than the current E-Class coupe and has more space inside than the C-Class coupe.

Prices are still to be announced but are expected to start from around £50,000.

The CLE is 4.85 metres long which is 15mm longer than the E-Class coupe and 164mm more than the two-door C-Class. It also sits some 15mm lower than the E-Class.

Boot space is also up by 60 litres more than the C-Class coupe to 420 litres enabling the CLE to carry three golf bags with ease.

Initially, Mercedes will be offering five powertrains on the CLE including one diesel and a straight six petrol version.

All but the 3.0-litre six are of 2.0-litre capacity with the diesel claimed to be capable of up to 50mpg with the remaining engines are rated at around 35mpg with the CLE 450 averaging some 30mpg.

Each engine uses mild-hybrid technology reducing emissions to as low as 123g/km in the CLE 220 d.

Performance data sees all but the CLE 450 and CLE 300 having a 0 to 60mph time of around 7.5 seconds. The 300 is quicker at 6.2 seconds while the 450 with 381ps on tap can manage the sprint in 4.4 seconds.

Inside, there is a free-standing 12.3-inch, fully digital instrument display with an 11.9-inch driver-oriented central display in portrait format similar to those of the current C-Class while from the E-Class the CLE inherits third generation of the Mercedes MBUX infotainment system.

Standard safety equipment includes active brake assist, active lane keeping assist, speed limit assist, and the parking package with reversing camera as well as the Mercedes Distronic active distance assist.

All versions of the CLE have nine-speed automatic transmissions and Mercedes will be introducing a convertible model in 2024 as well as a plug-in hybrid.