Archive Feature | Originally published: 25 August 2025
A weekend escape from the hustle and bustle was much needed. My partner in crime, Jessyca, and I headed to Warmbaths. Our journey was made all the sweeter as we hit the road in a fiery chilli-red Mercedes-Benz CLE300 Coupé. Sexy, stylish, and charming, with just the right hint of class, it turned a short Johannesburg-to-Bela-Bela trip into something special- luxury wrapped in motion.
The CLE300 feels like the love child of the C-Class and E-Class. Its proportions and curves are mesmerising; I caught myself doing double takes, and so did passers-by. Its shark-fin nose is pointy, precise, and imposing, practically shouting, “Look at me!” The three-pointed star embedded in the grille cements its luxury appeal.
Add the Night Package- gloss black mirror housings, trim pieces, 19-inch AMG multi-spoke wheels, and heat-insulating dark-tinted glass- and you’ve got a sleek, stealthy edge.
Beneath the bonnet sits a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine delivering 190kW and 400Nm. A 48-volt mild-hybrid system adds short bursts of 17kW and 205Nm, ensuring instant responsiveness with barely a hint of turbo lag. This engine is a mainstay across the Mercedes line-up, but in the CLE it feels particularly sharp.
Power goes to all four wheels via the 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system and a snappy 9-speed automatic transmission. The result? Confident grip, dynamic handling, and silky stability. Give it the beans, and it rewards you- sporty yet composed, playful yet refined. On open-road drives, I managed 8.6 L/100 km, and that’s with a heavy right foot. Drive it conservatively, and you’ll do even better.
Step inside and the magic continues. Ambient lighting offers 64 colour options (my favourite? True blue). The three-spoke AMG steering wheel feels premium in hand, a reminder that this is one of Mercedes’ better builds. The cream-coloured leather seats are buttery soft, with heating, cooling, memory, and even massage functions. Adjust them to your liking, and they mould perfectly to your driving position.
The panoramic glass roof adds another touch of theatre- swipe, and it slides open to let the sunshine in. Luxury isn’t cheap, though. The CLE300 starts at R1.4 million, but our test unit—with options like the Premium Plus Package- came in at R1,789,000. That package brings goodies like a head-up display, Burmester® 3D surround sound, augmented reality navigation, 360° camera, wireless charging, and more. It’s indulgent but undeniably tempting.
Mercedes packs the CLE300 with tech that keeps you safe and connected. Driving Assistance Package Plus adds Active Blind Spot Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, and Traffic Sign Assist. On our way back from Bela Bela, the car even pre-emptively braked during a sudden traffic stop, reacting milliseconds before I did. Clever stuff.
Rear seats are snug, as you’d expect in a coupé, but wide-opening doors help with access. The 420-litre boot, meanwhile, offers decent practicality for weekend getaways.
Today’s luxury cars are often built for a cycle of trading in and trading up. They’re tech-heavy, comfortable, and refined, but sometimes I miss the old-school solidity. Take the Mercedes-Benz W123 my brother Brenwin Naidu owns: more than 40 years old and still going strong, with half a million kilometres under its belt. When you close its door, it delivers a reassuring clunk- a sound I still caught echoes of in the CLE300.
Our weekend escape in the CLE300 wasn’t just about the destination; it was about the journey. Warmbaths never felt so sweet, wrapped in the glamour of this coupé. Driving it gave me a taste of that celebrity-like aura- heads turned, smiles shared, and memories made. To my partner in crime, Jess: thanks for always being my co-pilot. Bonnie and Clyde at it again- though this time, we didn’t get stuck in the mud as we did with that tangerine Audi Q3. Here’s to many more adventures.
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