The Mercedes-AMG CLE53 Is Still Sporty Sans Roof: First Drive Review

What occurred to the convertible? It was the final word image of freedom; prime down, wind in your hair, not a fear on the earth. However the iconic droptop has all however disappeared during the last decade, with consumers seemingly falling out of affection with the thought of limitless headroom.

Mercedes-Benz is among the few manufacturers nonetheless constructing new convertibles. Hell, it is one of many solely firms with a number of convertibles in its lineup. The lately launched CLE—which bridges the hole between the outgoing C-Class and E-Class coupes—positive factors a brand new convertible variant, which helps hold the dream of a sporty droptop alive. And it does a rattling good job of it.

Picture by: Mercedes-Benz

In Mercedes-AMG communicate, the quantity “53” marks the very best of each worlds; cruising consolation and canyon carving capabilities. That is true of the CLE53. Underneath the hood is a sultry turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six mild-hybrid powertrain that makes 443 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque. It is paired to a smooth-shifting nine-speed automated and 4Matic all-wheel drive with a rearward bias.

There’s nothing overly sporty about this automotive in Consolation mode. The engine delivers quick torque and buttery {smooth} thrust to get you the place you might want to go rapidly, however not harshly. The suspension is supple and soaks up even the worst pavement Miami has to throw at it. And the steering is light-weight sufficient on your grandma to handle.

Sport and Sport+ modes liven issues up, sharpening the throttle, tightening the steering, stiffening the suspension, and sending a fair louder burble out of the quad exhaust suggestions—which you’ll be able to hear much more clearly sans roof. Hammer the accelerator and the CLE53 Cab goes like stink to 60 miles per hour in 4.4 seconds (or 4.2 seconds with the non-obligatory Race Begin bundle, which incorporates launch management).

Picture by: Mercedes-Benz

Execs: Silky Easy Powertrain, Glorious Dealing with, Good-looking Styling, Limitless Headroom

By way of the few “corners” Miami has to supply (learn: roundabouts and freeway onramps), the CLE53 Cab displays glorious physique management. There’s not a lot roll or pitch, nor any apparent indicators that this automotive had its roof chopped off. Mercedes added additional rigidity to the chassis to account for that lack of steel.

The one clear and apparent draw back of the CLE53 Cabrio is that it merely would not look pretty much as good because the coupe. However that is much less of an indictment of the CLE Cab as it’s excessive reward of the CLE coupe. Mercedes nonetheless did a superb job making this convertible interesting.

Picture by: Mercedes-Benz

Picture by: Mercedes-Benz

Picture by: Mercedes-Benz

The big Panamericana grille and gaping nook vents hold the CLE’s face indignant, which provides a pleasant distinction to the Cabriolet’s in any other case elegant strains. Signature AMG “energy domes” protrude from the hood on both aspect of a purposeful heart air outlet, whereas the rear finish shines with a full-width mild bar.

AMG-specific flares and fenders, in the meantime, mix seamlessly with the CLE53’s trendy (and non-obligatory) 20-inch wheels. With the highest down—which occurs in about 20 seconds at speeds of as much as 37 miles per hour—the CLE Cabrio is correctly fairly.

Picture by: Mercedes-Benz

Cons: Not As Fairly As The Coupe, Expensive With Choices

Like most droptop Benzes, the CLE53 comes customary with the neck-warming “Air Scarf,” which sends heat air to your higher extremities if you want it most. Heated seats additionally come customary on the CLE53 Cab, however ventilated seats are an choice. I used to be glad to have them amidst Miami’s blazing solar—sure, even in early February.

To maintain the attractive black leather-based cool throughout the hotter summer season months, Mercedes handled the seats with a particular coating that reportedly retains them as much as 23 levels cooler than the skin temps. By no means as soon as did I hope again into the CLE53 and burn my butt.

Picture by: Mercedes-Benz

Picture by: Mercedes-Benz

A pop-up wind deflector simply above the entrance windshield provides a little bit of reprieve from wind and highway noise. Merely toggle it on or off utilizing a button between the roof controls. However even with the wind deflector engaged, there’s solely a lot wind and noise it may possibly block out; I nonetheless closed the roof to take a name over fears it might be too loud.

And since the CLE is longer than the outgoing C-Class Cabriolet—by about 7.0 inches—the rear seats are extra usable. Common-sized adults nonetheless received’t be snug within the again seats for lengthy distances, however now there’s a bit extra legroom and headroom for shorter bouts. And there’s 9.6 cubic toes of cargo area within the trunk with the roof eliminated; I shoved three smaller baggage again there with ease.

The know-how inside is equivalent to what you get on a regular CLE53; a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and an 11.9-inch touchscreen each working the most recent model of MBUX. There are a couple of enjoyable quirks, like a display that reveals you precisely how a lot energy is being doled out at a second’s discover, and some customizable clusters. However it’s all fairly customary MBUX. One factor the CLE53 Cab adopted from the SL is the tilting heart show, which adjusts at as much as 40 levels to discourage glare.

Picture by: Mercedes-Benz

At $83,750 with vacation spot, the CLE53 Cabrio slots in neatly between the 386-hp BMW M440i Convertible ($74,025) and the 523-hp M4 Competitors Convertible ($97,175), its two chief opponents. The 349-hp Audi S5 Cabriolet doesn’t match the Merc when it comes to energy or acceleration, which explains its more-affordable $67,195 price ticket.

Many of the add ons on this specific automotive—the AMG Evening Bundle, the 20-inch wheels, and extra—push the worth over the $90,000 mark. With a couple of extra add-ons, the CLE comes near BMW M4 territory, which is more durable to justify.

However the CLE53 Cabriolet nonetheless makes a variety of sense for anybody who desires all of the perks of Mercedes-AMG mid-range goodness with the additional advantage of much less roof. The styling is gorgeous, the engine is silky {smooth}, and most significantly, it’s a convertible.

Mercedes-AMG continues to be doing its half to maintain the droptop alive—and doing it effectively.

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