Mercedes-AMG is sharpening its product portfolio and redefining the entry-level performance coupé segment. The sporty, elegant two-door model combines the best of two worlds: the C-Class’s agility and sportiness with the E-Class’s space and status.
The 3.0-litre six-cylinder inline engine with double charging via an exhaust gas turbocharger and an electric additional compressor has been thoroughly modified and now produces 330 kW (449 hp). It provides a maximum torque of 560 Nm (with an over-boost of 600 Nm for 12 seconds).
The integrated starter generator briefly supplies 17 kW (23 hp) of power and 205 Nm of torque. It also feeds the 48-volt on-board electrical system. Other technical features of the new model include the AMG SPEEDSHIFT TCT 9G transmission and the fully variable AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive.
Typical visual identifying features of a coupé are the long hood embedded in the front end with two mighty power domes. The strongly sloping windshield and the elongated roof that slopes towards the rear also reference this. The passenger cell, set far back, leads to the sporty, short rear via the rear window, which is also flat.
The progressively forward-sloping front section (“Shark Nose”), combined with the precisely shaped bonnet, ensures a sporty and elegant appearance. The AMG-specific A-shaped radiator grille and the flat, sharply cut full-LED headlights create a mighty impression.
DIGITAL LIGHT headlights with and without projection function are available as optional equipment. They have daytime running light ellipses and blue lighting on the headlights’ base, enhancing the dynamic appearance.
The strikingly designed front apron is raised in an A-shape (“A-wing”) in the middle section. This allows for a large air inlet for high airflow. This also applies to the outer air inlets with two cross slats. Distinctive-shaped edges structure the side view.
The flared front and rear fenders, the wide track (plus 58 millimetres at the front, plus 75 millimetres at the rear compared to the Mercedes-Benz model), and the 19-inch wheels give the new AMG Coupé a robust appearance. 20-inch wheels are available as an option.
Flowing surfaces, smooth transitions, and two-part LED lights with three-dimensional light bodies characterise the muscular rear. A dark red design element connects the rear lights. It emphasises the width of the rear. The main elements are the round double tailpipe trims harmoniously integrated into the rear apron.
Their design in the side area behind the wheel arches improves aerodynamics: the airflow around the wheel arches is better. The spoiler lip on the trunk lid is painted in the vehicle colour but is also optionally available in black as part of the AMG styling package.
The optional AMG Optics package sets even sportier accents. It includes additional flics on the front and rear apron, a more pronounced spoiler lip on the trunk lid and a diffuser board between the tailpipe trims. Two AMG Night packages and AMG Carbon packages are available for further individualisation.
The interior welcomes passengers with unique equipment, exclusive materials, and the latest generation of MBUX infotainment system. The eye-catchers are the free-standing 12.3-inch fully digital driver display, the 11.9-inch driver-oriented central display in a user-friendly portrait format and the dynamic ambient lighting with 64 colours.
If desired, it extends sweepingly from the centre console to under the outer ventilation vents. In each door, a strip of light runs along the contour lines of the armrest and the beltline into the rear area.
Another highlight is the integral seats in ARTICO man-made leather/MICROCUT black microfiber with AMG-specific graphics and contrasting red topstitching. They combine sportiness with strong lateral support. Other interior features include red seat belts and glossy carbon trim. Numerous upholstery in leather and Nappa leather are available upon request. The AMG crest is embossed into the front headrests when choosing Nappa leather.
The AMG performance seat is available as an option. It is mainly characterised by the more pronounced seat bolsters offering even better lateral support. Vertical openings add visual accents, save weight, and allow for better back ventilation. When equipped with Nappa leather, they are also accentuated in a contrasting colour.
The standard, flat-bottomed AMG Performance steering wheel in a double-spoke design with seamlessly integrated buttons offers a high everyday use. The round AMG steering wheel buttons impress with their brilliant displays and intuitive operating logic. Essential driving functions and all driving programmes can be controlled here.
With the driver display, the customer can switch between the display styles “Classic”, “Sport”, and AMG exclusive “Supersport”. The “Supersport” mode is particularly striking with a central round tachometer and perspectively designed horizontal displays located to the tachometer’s left and right, creating a spatial impression of depth.
The driver can use the AMG menu to access various unique displays such as engine data, gear indicator, warm-up, set-up, G-metre and race timer. The central display also emphasises the dynamic orientation with individual AMG displays, such as visualising the driving programmes or telemetry data.
The new CLE 53 4MATIC+ uses a comprehensively upgraded version of the 3.0-litre M 256 inline six-cylinder turbo engine. The facelift generation of the high-performance engine, now known as the M 256M, impresses with optimised combustion chambers, redesigned inlet and outlet channels, new piston rings, optimised injection, and a new exhaust gas turbocharger.
In conjunction with the new electric additional compressor, this offers an increase in boost pressure by 0.4 bar to 1.5 bar and, thus, a higher torque of 560 Nm in continuous operation and 600 Nm in overboost for up to 12 seconds.
However, what is more important than the absolute torque is the availability of it and the overall response of the engine. The improved electric additional compressor is responsible for this. It can now be operated almost continuously over a more extended period. Drivers feel this, especially in medium-speed ranges. This meant the exhaust gas turbocharger could be more prominent for higher peak performance.
At the same time, customers benefit from the increased efficiency of the unit. This has been significantly improved, especially in full-load operation. The new, second-generation integrated starter generator (ISG) also enhances efficiency.
This is now integrated into the gearbox bell housing. As a central component of the 48-volt electrical system, it functions as an electrical generator and combines hybrid functions. These include short-term boosting with 17 kW (23 hp) of power and 205 Nm of torque, recuperation, load point shifting, sailing and the almost imperceptible engine restart during the start-stop function.
The electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h can be increased to 270 km/h with the optional AMG Driver’s Package. The AMG high-performance brake system is tailored to the power and performance of the CLE 53 Coupé: perforated and internally ventilated discs measuring 370 x 36 mm with four-piston fixed callipers and AMG lettering are used on the front axle, and internally ventilated discs are used on the rear axle measuring 360 x 26 mm with single-piston floating callipers.
The 3.0-litre inline engine is coupled with the AMG SPEEDSHIFT TCT 9G transmission, which impresses with adapted shift times, quick reactions, the double-declutching function and multiple downshifts. An upshift or downshift is implemented immediately.
The transmission acts spontaneously, especially in the “Sport+” driving programme and in manual mode. Dynamic acceleration manoeuvres and adjusted shifting times are available, as is a fuel-saving driving style, depending on the driving programme selected. The AMG SPEEDSHIFT TCT, 9G transmission, can be shifted manually using the galvanised shift paddles on the left and right behind the steering wheel rim.
With the five AMG DYNAMIC SELECT driving programmes “Slippery”, “Comfort”, “Sport”, “Sport+”, and “Individual”, the characteristics of the new 53 models can be influenced at the touch of a finger. The differentiation ranges from efficient and comfortable to very sporty. Critical parameters such as the response behaviour of the engine, transmission, chassis and steering are modified. Regardless of the AMG DYNAMIC SELECT driving programmes, the driver can switch directly to manual mode using the “M” button to shift gears exclusively using the steering wheel shift paddles. The suspension levels can also be selected separately if necessary.
The AMG DYNAMICS driving dynamics control system is integrated into the AMG DYNAMIC SELECT driving programmes. In the “Basic”, “Advanced”, and “Pro” levels, for example, it influences the control strategies of the ESP® (Electronic Stability Program) or the all-wheel drive. The intelligent pre-control anticipates the desired vehicle behaviour based on the driver’s actions and sensor data.
The range extends from extremely stable to highly dynamic for a more comfortable or particularly sporty driving experience. The AMG DYNAMICS functions can also be selected directly using the steering wheel buttons. The adaptable vehicle characteristics and the extensive equipment options allow a wide range of sportiness, elegance, and lifestyle options, depending on individual customer requirements.
The fully variable AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive combines optimal traction for dynamic driving pleasure with high driving safety under all conditions: on dry roads and wet or slippery surfaces. The transition from rear to all-wheel drive and vice versa occurs continuously because the intelligent control is integrated into the entire vehicle system architecture. The force distribution is applied in a differentiated manner.
The front axle is completely decoupled when driving moderately and when all-wheel drive is not required. This increases efficiency. From the ESP Sport setting onwards, the driving behaviour is more rear-focused. And in drift mode, the new AMG CLE Coupé is programmed as a rear-wheel drive vehicle across the entire speed range.
Independent AMG RIDE CONTROL suspension for high driving dynamics
The AMG RIDE CONTROL chassis developed in Affalterbach is used for more agility, neutral cornering behaviour and higher traction. The steel suspension with a particularly sporty spring-damper set-up and adaptive adjustable damping combines excellent driving dynamics with high ride comfort. The damping on each wheel adapts to the current driving situation and road conditions.
This happens quickly and precisely via separate valves for the tension and compression directions in the dampers. In addition, the damper characteristic curve can be preselected in three levels: “Comfort, “Sport”, and “Sport+”, thus enabling a noticeable differentiation between high long-distance comfort and sporty driving dynamics.
The steering layout also contributes to increasing dynamics and comfort. The CLE 53 4MATIC+ Coupé has a three-stage AMG parameter steering that adapts to the driving programme selected. When manoeuvring and parking, only comparatively little effort is required. The driver receives even more feedback via the adjusted steering characteristic at higher speeds, especially in the “Sport” and “Sport+” suspension settings.
The standard rear axle steering operates with a maximum steering angle of 2.5 degrees. Up to this degree, the rear wheels turn opposite to the front wheels at speeds of up to 100 km/h (variable depending on the AMG DYNAMICS setting).
This leads to a virtual wheelbase shortening and results in significantly more agile turning, less steering work, and increased manoeuvrability. This means the turning circle is noticeably reduced when turning or parking. At speeds of more than 100 km/h (variable depending on the AMG DYNAMICS setting), the rear wheels turn parallel to the front wheels – up to a maximum of 0.7 degrees.
The virtual extension of the wheelbase has a positive effect on driving stability: it builds up the lateral force more quickly when changing direction. It thus enables the vehicle to react more directly to steering commands. The response behaviour of the rear axle steering depends on the selected AMG DYNAMIC SELECT driving programme.
For an even more emotional driving experience, the optional AMG DYNAMIC PLUS package bundles particularly sporty equipment details. One of the highlights is the RACE driving programme with Drift Mode.
The AMG performance steering wheel in MICROCUT microfiber has steering wheel buttons to operate the driving programs and other driving dynamic settings quickly. Red-painted brake callipers with AMG lettering on the front and rear axle visually underline the sporty character. The active engine mounts offer the situational spread between a comfortable and sporty engine connection to the body.
Data Overview
| Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 4MATIC+ Coupé | ||
Engine |
Inline six-cylinder petrol engine with double turbocharging | |
Displacement |
cm3 | 2,999 |
Rated Capacity |
kW/hp | 330/449 |
at |
1/min | 5,800-6,100 |
Rated torque |
Nm | 560 (briefly 600 with overboost) |
at |
1/min | 2.200-5.000 |
Rated Capacity ISG |
kW/hp | 17/23 |
Rated Torque ISG |
Nm | 205 |
Drive |
Fully variable all-wheel drive AMG Performance 4MATIC+ | |
Transmission |
AMG SPEEDSHIFT TCT 9G transmission | |
Acceleration 0-100 km/h |
s | 4.2 |
Top Speed |
km/h | 250 (optional 270) |
Combined Fuel Consumption (WLTP) |
l/100 km | 9.7-9.3 |
| g/km | 220-212 |
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