Suave cruiser could also be last fossil-fuelled star car.

‘FIRST’ and ‘last’ status applies to to the CLE, a Mercedes Benz initially incoming as a coupe with a cabriolet following.

Ostensibly, the headline is that this is Mercedes that is a first for putting two into one, by replacing the C-Class two door in hard and soft top and its E-Class equivalents with the single model.

Yet it also represents another significance. Though Benz has recently amended its timeframe for becoming an all-electric make, this car is still odds on to be the last new combustion-engined model that Mercedes launches.

If that’s the case, then talk about going out in style.

Looks-wise, the CLE hardtop that’s on sale from now seems very much more the direct successor to the old C-Class Coupe.

There’s strong ‘C’ similarity to the front and rear styling, plus a near-doppelganger interior, including the same big 12.3-inch digital touchscreen, 11.9-inch touchscreen in the centre and five 'squircle' air vents,

That said, it's more E-Class Coupe in terms of size, being 15mm longer than the old E-Class, and with a wheelbase that's virtually identical. That makes for a more spacious car, though it’s emphatically a two-plus-two.

The bent toward battery involvement already shows, as all engines are at least partially electrified, with 48-volt, 17kW mild-hybrid systems. A plug-in hybrid, based on the same long-range setup used by the C-Class sedan, is in the works.

Mercedes Benz NZ is for now talking abut the 2.0-litre as it slots into the hardtop, with two states of tune and drivetrain format, with a common nine-speed automatic.

The entry $109,300 CLE 200 has 150kW of power and 320Nm of torque and is rear drive, whereas the $126,700 CLE 300 uplifts to 190kW/400Nm, this sent to all four wheels via the 4Matic system. The electric assist will add a boost of 17kW and up to 205Nm in either format.

A third powerpoint might enter the fray with the open top model, going by reports out of the Canary Islands, where an international event for both types has timed with the information share about NZ market intent.

Journalists from Australia, which tends to take common product to NZ, are in Tenerife, and have driven the cabriolet there, taking time with not only with the CLE 200 version which has a common powerpoint with the NZ-confirmed coupe but also the CLE 450 4Matic, which conceivably will end up siting as a premium family flagship.

Including in New Zealand? MBNZ will only say that the cabriolet is a third quarter entry and that model choice for here has yet to be fully sorted.

The 450 sounds tasty. It has a 280kW/500Nm 3.0-litre turbocharged six-cylinder petrol engine, and is capable of 0–100kmh in 4.7 seconds and fuel economy of up to 8.5L/100km on a city/highway combined laboratory test cycle. By comparison, Mercedes-Benz claims 0–100kmh in 7.9 seconds and average fuel consumption of up to 7.4L/100km (based on laboratory tests) for the CLE 200. CLE 300 data has yet to be shared.

The cabriolet seems set to be as well isolated from the outside world as the hardtop alternate, as it has a five-layer soft-top, which can be electrically stowed in 20 seconds and electrically raised in another 20 seconds.

The open model also has an Airscarf system that blows warm air on your neck, and an Aircap system that consists of a wind deflector behind the cabin and a windscreen-top wing to channel much of the turbulent air over occupants' heads when the roof is down.

The CLEs ride on sports suspension that is lowered by 15mm in comparison to the existing C-Class and E-Class sedans. Benz says this not only lends a more assertive stance, but also offers a stiffer suspension and damping design, as well as sports direct steering for more direct handling and agility. “In fast cornering or quick manoeuvres, this sporty chassis tuning results in less body roll,” the brand says.

Common key coupe appointments include a Burmester surround sound system with Dolby Atmos (via a linkedApple Music account), a head-up display, heated front seats with memory function, a panoramic sliding sunroof, MBUX Navigation Premium package with augmented reality display, an automatic seatbelt feeder, wireless charging for mobile devices, smartphone integration, and a Parking Package with 360- degree camera.

Both models receive AMG Line exterior and interior trim enhancements, and the Night Package featuring black trim elements. The standard digital light package includes a projection function, plus two daytime running light ellipses and blue illumination of the headlight base, “further reinforcing the dynamic appearance of the coupés.”

Both models ride on 19-inch AMG multi-spoke light-alloy wheels in black, and standard safety fitment includes Active Lane Keeping Assist, Active Brake Assist, Blindspot Assist, Traffic Sign Assist, active cruise control and the pre-safe accident anticipation and preparation system.

The CLE 300 has leather seats whereas the CLE 200’s are in Artico.