In case you end up misplaced in Mercedes' huge universe of fashions, you aren’t alone. Living proof, the CLE – a nameplate that didn't exist until 2023. To offer a fast introduction, the CLE is a substitute for each the C-Class Coupé and Cabriolet and the E-Class Coupé and Cabriolet. India received the CLE Cabriolet final yr in leisurely 300 guise, however the CLE Coupé that has simply gone on sale is an altogether extra severe software. And that’s as a result of it is available in AMG 53 guise.
Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 Coupe exterior design and engineering – 8/10
Flared wheel arches and 20-inch rims lend CLE 53 sporty stance
Earlier than all else, let’s speak design and styling as a result of the CLE 53 is a looker. It’s received a sleek coupe form with AMG styling dialling up the visible drama. An AMG grille, exaggerated intakes, and even energy bulges on the bonnet give the CLE its brooding face, one which's backed by the muscle of flared wheel arches and tight-fitting 20-inch rims.
Frameless doorways add glamour to modern coupe form
Frameless doorways add glamour to the flowing form, which ends in a brief decked tail part. We love the impact the lip spoiler, diffuser and quad exhaust have on the general look. It’s a automotive that may pull off the intense and blissful Solar Yellow paint shade, however Mercedes will solely be blissful to fulfil your request for one thing subtler. In dimension, the CLE is marginally longer and wider than a BMW 4 Sequence that’s bought in India in M4 kind.
Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 Coupe inside house and luxury – 8/10
Quick access to the cabin
What makes the CLE 53 comparatively simple to dwell with as efficiency vehicles go is that you just don't sit all that low. Entering into the automotive is simple, and visibility throughout can be relatively good. You’ll love the view of the facility bulges on the bonnet that function a relentless reminder that you just're in one thing particular.
CLE 53 inside has a lot in widespread with the C-Class
The inside that has a lot in widespread with the C-Class will get that time throughout as effectively. It’s a high-end house that makes use of distinction stitching and a metal-like end for the sprint panel to ship a sporty vibe. The game entrance seats additionally ship on consolation. Talking of which, I discovered the belt feeder that presents the seatbelt to you (it’s fairly a attain again to the B-pillar in any other case) a relatively well mannered characteristic.
Rear seat gives cheap house and luxury for a coupe
Entry to the again is first rate for a coupe, and the rear seat, whereas cosy, is definitely usable. I'm slightly below six toes tall and struggled with headroom, however anybody shorter than me would handle. Knee room, nonetheless, was enough even for me.
The rear seats fold flat to unlock baggage room, which is an possibility you would possibly have to take up, provided that plenty of the usable baggage space is taken up by the house saver spare. And that's a disgrace as a result of the CLE 53 is a automotive that's really fairly blissful to tour in.
Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 Coupe options and security – 9/10
CLE 53 involves India in a single, fully-loaded kind
What you see on the CLE 53 Coupe featured here’s what you get. It’s bought in India in a single fully-loaded variant and packs in heaps. Merc’s 12.3-inch touchscreen is the centrepiece of the inside and comes loaded with all the things from wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to the crisp 360-degree digicam, and even an IWC stopwatch to telemetry and drag begin screens.
The touchscreen is tremendous slick, however what's good is that you just don't should depend on it for belongings you'd use within the warmth of driving. You possibly can program capabilities equivalent to ESP settings and exhaust modes onto the rotary dial pods on the sporty AMG twin-spoke steering wheel.
The 11.9-inch digital dials are vivid and vibrant, too, and greatest loved with the AMG display screen. Head-up show is on the expansive characteristic listing as effectively, which additionally contains issues like a punchy Burmester sound system, powered and ventilated entrance seats and a large sunroof.
Security suite contains ADAS and eight airbags, together with a centre airbag
Security equipment contains eight airbags (together with a centre airbag between the entrance seats) and radar and camera-based ADAS. Nonetheless, we'd maintain computerized braking intervention off because the system doesn't at all times reply aptly to Indian situations.
Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 Coupe efficiency and refinement – 8/10
CLE 53's 2999cc turbo-petrol engine makes a strong 450hp
| Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 Coupe powertrain | |
|---|---|
| Engine | 2999cc, twin-turbo, straight-six petrol |
| Energy | 450hp |
| Torque | 560Nm |
| Gearbox | 9-speed torque converter |
| 0-100kph | 4.2 seconds |
| High velocity | 250kph |
Let's speak numbers of curiosity. 450hp of energy, a 0-100 kph time of 4.2 seconds and a prime velocity of 270kph. These numbers are made potential by a 2999cc 6-cylinder engine. Yup, no downsized and overworked 4 cylinder unit right here (taking a look at you C 63 and C 43). It is a correct sports activities automotive with a correct sports activities automotive coronary heart.
The engine makes use of a twin-scroll turbocharger that's complemented by an electrical compressor. The electrical compressor feeds the engine at decrease revs, after which the turbocharger kicks in. The web impact is not any turbo lag. What you get as an alternative could be very prepared entry to energy and an engine that feels beautiful and long-legged, from 1500rpm to 6500rpm.
It's a free engine and also you'd love utilizing and intervening with gear shifts through these paddle shifters. The 9-speed computerized transmission does its job completely effectively, however the paddles herald a brand new degree of join together with your automotive. And on fast downshifts, they'll additionally grant you a couple of pops and bangs.
Quad exhausts ship a pleasant snarl, but it surely may very well be louder
Whenever you're driving quick, you'll additionally discover that this engine emotes relatively effectively via these quad exhaust pipes on the again. It'll let loose this beautiful snarl if you're driving exhausting, and you may enhance the decibel ranges by urgent down on the loud exhaust mode. The factor is, it nonetheless doesn't get as loud as you’d need it to, and it by no means sounds just like the dangerous boy of the neighbourhood. And that may very well be a detrimental for some sports activities automotive consumers.
It's price bringing in right here that the CLE 53 isn't a top-tier AMG, those constructed to the hallowed one-man-one-engine philosophy. That house is reserved for the CLE 63, which can debut later this yr with a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8.
Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 Coupe mileage – 6/10
It’s a light hybrid, alright, however effectivity isn’t its forte
The AMG CLE 53 isn’t about economic system and can run via a tank of 100 octane petrol relatively shortly over a day of exhausting driving. In sedate metropolis driving, you’ll be able to anticipate the CLE 53 to ship about 5-6kpl.
Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 Coupe trip consolation and dealing with – 8/10
4MATIC system switches between all-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive in real-time
The CLE 53 is a quick automotive, however one which received't overwhelm you. Normal match all-wheel drive actually helps take advantage of the facility at hand. The CLE 53's 4MATIC system retains switching between all-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive in real-time, studying the situations and allocating the facility because it deems match. You possibly can't really feel this swap, but it surely's good to know that your automotive has your again and can maintain you pointed in the proper course when the situations go in opposition to you. 450hp just isn’t a small determine, notably on a moist street.
The cool factor? The AWD system delivered sufficient grip even on a moist street to match the claimed 4.2-second 0-100kph claimed acceleration time. After all, when situations (and your talent degree) allow, there's additionally a Drift Mode, which has the CLE run completely in thrilling rear-wheel drive kind.
Clean steering and eager turn-in make it enjoyable within the corners
It's on twisty driving roads that one other aspect of the CLE 53 comes via, and that’s that it's not a hardcore sports activities automotive. The steering, as an illustration, just isn’t tremendous delicate even at its sportiest setting. Consequently, the automotive isn't tremendous pointy, and that's really no dangerous factor as a result of it doesn't really feel edgy, permitting you to drive with out the necessity for tremendous focus and tremendous consciousness always.
The CLE 53 stitches the corners with grace and does it with the agility of a smaller automotive. Serving to to this finish is rear axle steer. Below 100kph, the rear wheels will flip in the wrong way as those up entrance (as much as 2.5 levels) to reinforce agility. Above 100 kph, the wheels will flip in the identical course because the entrance ones (as much as 0.7 levels) for added stability. You received't really feel the rear wheels actually turning, however you’ll be able to really feel the impression that this movement has if you're on the go.
Journey consolation is first rate, and there’s honest floor clearance, too
The CLE 53 is a enjoyable automotive, alright, however that's not the beginning and finish of it. The overriding theme is that it is a sports activities automotive with AMG in its identify, but it surely doesn't overlook that it's additionally a Mercedes. You’re feeling that in trip consolation. It's not jarring at any level, and in Consolation mode, trip high quality is definitely fairly good even on these 20-inch rims. Positive, you do really feel extra of the floor if you transfer to Sport and Sport Plus, however it is a automotive that you could possibly use every single day with out breaking your again.
There’s sufficient floor clearance, too, to clear average-sized speedbrakers with out the necessity to zigzag over them.
Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 Coupe value and verdict – 8/10
Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 is priced at Rs 1.35 crore (ex-showroom)
The Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 is about some huge numbers, and I’ll finish with one other one. And that’s the value – Rs 1.35 crore ex-showroom.
BMW M4 is a extra performance-focused different
Factor is, there's nothing fairly like a CLE 53 in the mean time. The closest coupe different in India is a BMW M4, but it surely’s not solely pricier, however usually a extra hardcore and dedicated selection.
The CLE 53's forte is delivering AMG thrills with on a regular basis Mercedes consolation, packaged in an eye catching coupe kind. It’s a comparatively simple efficiency automotive to dwell with, which implies you’ll discover extra events to drive it. And that’s the level, isn't it?
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