Mercedes Amg CLE 53 4Matic+ Coupé, we tested the new grand tourer

The 53 4Matic fully respects the strategy that inspired the advent of the Mercedes Cle Coupé and Convertible, which are the link between two previous Mercedes ranges, because inside the bonnet it has an engine that is the trait d'union between the powertrain families that propel the AMGs: that of the 2-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder and that of the 4-litre 8V. In fact, it is an 'electrically' supercharged 6-cylinder hybrid that wants to gratify the AMG addict with both performance and sound. The Amg Cle 53 4Matic+ Coupé is on sale in the dedicated and richly equipped Premium and Premium Plus trim packages, in both cases at prices just over 100,000 euros.  

Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 4MATIC+ Coupé

The restorative treatment from which the most powerful of the CLEs is born is conveyed by the stiffening of the body width, which increases to 1.93 metres because under the wheel arches there are track widths widened by 5.8 centimetres at the front and 7.5 at the rear compared to those of the other versions. To the latter, the AMG 53 remains tied with a length of 4.86 metres, a height of 1.43 metres and a wheelbase of 2.86 metres. To close the discourse on measurements, it must be said that even the boot capacity, not a record compared to the CLE's build, remains firm at 420 litres. The muscularity of the bodywork does not change the elegance of the GT line defined by the soft junction of rounded surfaces, into which some characterising details such as the grille with the typical AMG grille, the miniskirts, the wide front air intakes, the side air vents, the specific bumper shields, the design of the 19" wheels, the small spoiler at the end of the tail and the rear extractor from which four round exhaust pipes emerge.

Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 4MATIC+ Coupé - Interno

The cockpit of the AMG 53 offers, like that of the other CLEs, an appreciable amount of space even for those sitting in the two rear seats and is furnished in a mirrored manner. Hence, it always offers the dashboard defined by soft forms that support the extensively configurable display of the 12.3" instrumentation which, in this case, also includes the Supersport graphic interface and the 11.9" vertical display of the latest generation Mbux system, which triggers extensive interaction not only with the car but also with the outside world since it also includes TikTok and the Zoom app for meetings. The presentation of the ambience is refined, even if lowering the gaze does not escape some subdued plastic upholstery, and is personalised by the sports seats partially upholstered in microfibre with contrast stitching, the Performance steering wheel that also houses the non-intuitive round selectors for driving modes and mechanical settings and, finally, specific colour combinations. The cocktail creates an intriguing atmosphere, which can be customised by resorting to what the list of expensive options offers.

This CLE is powered by an evolution of the supercharged 6-cylinder of the 450 4Matic's 3-litre mild-hybrid with 48 V technology, which includes an electric unit that adds 23 bhp and 205 Nm to that of the internal combustion engine during acceleration and recovery. The revised AMG brought with it redesigned internal components, a specific injection system and a supercharging complex, consisting of an oversized turbine and an electric compressor that supplies pressure from the very low rev range to cancel the turbo lag effect and guarantee prompt and linear power delivery immediately. The result is a power output of 449 bhp and torque of 560 Nm which, temporarily, can be increased to 600 Nm, and allows the car to reach 250 km/h self-limited, or with an optional pack to 270 km/h, and to reach 100 km/h in 4"2, against a declared average consumption of 9.7 l/100 km. The nine-speed automatic gearbox, continuously variable all-wheel drive, electronic suspension, responsive rear-wheel steering and increased braking system were also developed by AMG, as was the entire complex electronic network. In fact, this CLE offers five car configurations (Slippery, Comfort, Sport, Sport+ and Individual) as well as sub-programmes to set, for example, Esp intervention steps, suspension response independently of the set driving programme and the optional Drift mode, with which the car becomes rear-wheel drive.

Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 4MATIC+ Coupé

Even when you just drive it in Comfort, the leader-maxima of the CLE range lives up to what it promises on paper with the responsiveness of the engine and its fine but unobtrusive rumbliness, the result of the pistons going and the throttle load and not of electronic artefacts and the work of the electronic suspension, even if on bumpy roads it doesn't always give discounts to the spine. The playground where the temperament of this CLE can be enjoyed most is the succession of bends. In fact, on this terrain in spite of its size and weight that is close to 2,000 kg it expresses itself at the highest level, always clinging well to the road with its all-wheel drive, changing direction at lightning speed thanks to the steered rear axle and giving with the composure of its behaviour a remarkable driving pleasure. The performance of the 6-cylinder engine is obviously also reflected in this, because when it is called upon by the sportiest of car configurations it meticulously responds to every millimetre of throttle response, thanks also to the timeliness with which the gearbox puts the right ratio into play in automatic mode, surprisingly much quicker than manual mode with paddles on the steering wheel;