Five-island group: Tenerife The 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class has many different features. It has to be able to flip open like a convertible and replace the C-Class and E-Class coupes. I learned that the CLE 450 4Matic Cabriolet makes it easy to relax and take in the view of the rocky Spanish island of Tenerife, which is off the coast of Africa. It works much better than most drivers could ever hope for, but we’re all different, are we?
For people like me who want more thrills, the 2024 Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 Coupe is another piece of the CLE puzzle. For the CLE 450, it takes the 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder engine that has 375 horsepower and makes it 443 horsepower and 413 pound-foot torque. There are 10-second bursts of 443 lb-ft of torque, and the engine can overboost. When needed, an electronic secondary compressor worked with the overboots to help with ideas from Formula 1. A mild hybrid setup with 48 volts adds 23 horsepower and 151 lb-ft of torque. Most AMG models come with both the nine-speed multi-clutch automatic gearbox and the 4Matic+ all-wheel drive system.
The changes don’t just affect the engine. The AMG CLE 53 has a rounder front and vertical grille slats, just like its more powerful siblings. The hood has more bulging muscles and a heat drainage vent that works. More importantly, the flared-out fenders cover the bigger tires and wheels. The front track gets 2.3 inches longer, and the back track gets 3 inches longer. The AMG version is parked next to the regular CLE. It has a more powerful stance, which is helped by some small changes to the way air flows around the car. The AMG CLE 53 is a stylish and fast car in its own right.
With its sloping dashboard, attached instrument panel, and huge touchscreen in the middle, the cockpit’s interior looks like that of a regular CLE, which in turn looks like the interior of a C-Class. The sports seats in the AMG package have deep side bolsters, fake suede upholstery inserts, and luxurious red stitching. The internal changes are finished off with a sport steering wheel that has a drive mode button that lets you change the settings even more for sport and track use.
All of this works out well on the road. You can hear the extra power and the engine and exhaust noises, which are louder and more exciting. After driving around Tenerife, I didn’t feel tired, so even though the ride was harder, it was too stiff or noisy. The AMG CLE 53 takes bends with a lot more confidence and accuracy than the CLE 450. This makes me want to put more pressure on each turn. Four-wheel steering (with a maximum rear-axle steering angle of 2.5 degrees) is a great feature, even though it is standard and can only be seen when moving around in tight spaces. It feels just like regular front-wheel turning when you’re having fun on a hairpin road.
When you put the transmission into Sport mode, it chooses the right gear for you instantly. To get the most out of it, it downshifts right where I would usually press the left paddle and stays in gear well into the rpm range. I still really like being able to choose my gears, and the paddles’ quick response only makes that choice stronger. But the strong side supports make it hard for me to bend my arms, which makes me move the steering wheel forward an inch more than I’d like.
The 4Matic+ all-wheel-drive system gives enough grip when the most force is applied, and the tires don’t make any noise unless the wheel is moved on purpose. The AMG CLE 53 is pretty comfy and behaves well for a sport-focused model when driven carefully. It’s just as fun, helpful, and easy to handle for daily tasks as a normal CLE.
It’s yet to be discovered how much the AMG CLE 53 will cost, but it will definitely be more expensive than the CLE 450 4Matic Coupe, which starts at $66,800 (plus $1,150 in transport charges). The AMG type might cost between $80,000 and $90,000 since the BMW M440i xDrive costs about the same. An M4 would definitely do better than an AMG CLE 53 on a winding road or track, but the Benz is more comfortable, luxurious, and well-built inside. The CLE looks better than the BMW.
That possible beast doesn’t look like it would fit in the CLE’s engine bay, so I would immediately get it. The new AMG GT, on the other hand, is expected to be better for high-performance drivers. The AMG CLE 53 roadster might or might not be made by Mercedes, but one can hope. Cutting off the roof won’t be enough, especially since the AMG body has been changed.
The 2024 Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 Coupe makes sense and is a nice addition to the touring-focused CLE line. It’s very smooth and comfortable, but it also has a certain amount of excitement that the other versions don’t have. It’s a classier choice than the faster BMW 4 Series and the more plain Audi S5 coupe. If the car costs as much as an Audi RS5 or BMW M4, the price may be the deciding factor. The AMG CLE 53 is the clear winner if style and elegance are more important to you than efficiency.
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