Mercedes-Benz CLE Cabriolet vs Rolls-Royce Dawn

A proper head-to-head in South Africa — compare price, performance, fuel economy or electric range, safety and the details that shape long-term ownership.

Includes a historical vehicle

Current, upcoming and historical vehicles can be compared side by side. Historical records keep their verified specifications, while price labels show last-listed context rather than current new-car availability.

Rolls-Royce Dawn Discontinued model
Mercedes-Benz CLE Cabriolet in South Africa

Mercedes-Benz CLE Cabriolet

CLE 200 Cabriolet Petrol Current
ZAR 1,473,600 ex-showroom
⚡ 150 kW 🔧 320 Nm
VS
Rolls-Royce Dawn in South Africa

Rolls-Royce Dawn

Dawn Petrol 8-Speed Automatic Discontinued model
No longer sold new historical price not confirmed
Discontinued model Verified historical specifications remain visible for owner and used-car comparisons.
⚡ 420 kW 🔧 820 Nm ⛽ 6.99 km/l
+ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Mercedes-Benz CLE Cabriolet vs Rolls-Royce Dawn: the short answer

Compare the available model information below. Hagalu has withheld a ranked verdict because the selected vehicles do not yet meet the minimum like-for-like source-coverage threshold.

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification CLE Cabriolet Dawn
Maximum Power CLE Cabriolet150 kW Dawn420 kW @ 5250-6000 rpm
Maximum Torque CLE Cabriolet320 Nm Dawn820 Nm @ 1600-4750 rpm
Engine Size CLE Cabriolet1999 cc Dawn6592 cc
Combined Fuel Economy CLE Cabriolet- Dawn6.99 km/l
Ground Clearance CLE Cabriolet- Dawn149 mm

Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.

Full Specs, Side by Side

Archived cars use verified historical spec records. Rows remain comparable; unavailable historical values are shown plainly rather than estimated.

Spec CLE Cabriolet Dawn
Model Introduced Year 2026 2016
Body Style Convertible Convertible
Model Year 2026 2017
Production Status Current South African retail range discontinued
Generation - Dawn four-seat convertible; this archive profile uses the MY17 World specification corroborated by a February 2018 South African road test.
Facelift History - The MY17 configuration is kept separate from the 2015 launch specification, which published different length, torque, acceleration, consumption and CO2 figures.
Facelift Launched Since - 2017
Facelift Version Ending - 2023
Segment - Ultra-luxury convertible
Vehicle Type - Passenger car
Spec CLE Cabriolet Dawn
Engine 1999/L4 6.592-litre twin-turbo V12
Fuel Type Petrol Petrol
Engine Displacement 1999 cc 6592 cc
Cylinders 4 12
Cylinder Layout Inline V
Maximum Power 150 kW 420 kW @ 5250-6000 rpm
Maximum Torque 320 Nm 820 Nm @ 1600-4750 rpm
Engine Code - N74B66A
Hybrid System - Not Applicable
Valves - 48
Valves per Cylinder - 4
Aspiration - Twin Turbocharged
Fuel System - Direct Injection
Compression Ratio - 10.0:1
Bore - 89 mm
Stroke - 88.3 mm
Combined Power - Not Applicable
Combined Torque - Not Applicable
Motor Type - Not Applicable
Number of Motors - Not Applicable
Motor Location - Not Applicable
Drive Type - RWD
Transmission - 8-Speed Automatic
Top Speed - 250 km/h
0-100 km/h - 5.0 sec
Quarter Mile - 12.8 sec
Drive Modes - Low
Launch Control - Not Officially Disclosed
Rev Limiter - Not Officially Disclosed
Power-to-Weight Ratio - 164.1 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio - 320.3 Nm/tonne
Battery Capacity - Not Applicable
Usable Battery Capacity - Not Applicable
Battery Type - Not Applicable
Battery Voltage - Not Applicable
Electric Range - Not Applicable
AC Charging Power - Not Applicable
DC Charging Power - Not Applicable
AC Charging Time - Not Applicable
DC Charging Time - Not Applicable
Regenerative Braking - Not Applicable

In depth: how these cars differ

This CLE Cabriolet and Dawn comparison brings together local model information and available derivatives for South Africa. Prices and specifications appear only where they have been recorded for this market.

Hagalu has withheld an overall score because at least one selected vehicle does not yet have four comparable categories and 50% weighted source coverage. Missing catalogue evidence is not replaced with a neutral score or a guessed value.

Use the key-spec and full-spec tables to compare the fields that are confirmed. For a purchase decision, verify current availability, exact derivative equipment, finance, insurance and ownership cover with the relevant manufacturer or authorised retailer.

Specification Score Withheld

Hagalu does not turn missing specifications into neutral scores or guessed values.

Fail closed

Score withheld: fewer than four comparable categories or less than 50% weighted source coverage for at least one vehicle.

Use the verified key-spec and full-spec tables on this page. A ranked index will appear only after every selected vehicle has source-backed data in at least four categories and reaches 50% weighted coverage.

What the evidence means

No overall winner is declared because the selected vehicles do not yet meet Hagalu's minimum like-for-like source-coverage threshold. Compare the confirmed rows and verify the exact derivative before buying.

CLE Cabriolet vs Dawn questions

There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the models and available derivatives in South Africa on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.

Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.

Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.

A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.

Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.

Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.