THE ALL-NEW MERCEDES-AMG CLE 53 IS HERE, AND THE 6-POT POWERPLANT IS BACK.
It seems like there’s a new performance Mercedes-Benz every other month, and December is no different with the release of the all-new and pretty damn wicked Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 4MATIC+ Coupe. The new C63 AMG was received with mixed reviews thanks to the decision to drop that iconic 6-cylinder powerplant for a 4-cylinder with a hybrid setup. While the C63 is the top dog of the range, this CLE 53 may just sway those who were interested in buying one to consider a “lower spec” model for the sole reason that it has a bigger powerplant and none of that hybrid business, this is a mild-hybrid setup. The body style is pretty similar, but for some reason, this new CLE 53 just looks better. It may be because of the absolutely fantastic images and the colour of the car used in them. It’s probably because this is more of a true coupe and only has two doors, which gives the body shape a much better profile. The CLE 53 features a long bonnet with two power domes, a strongly sloped windscreen, and an elongated roof sloping to the rear. The new digital headlights look great, and the flared front and rear fenders - 58 mm in the front and 75 mm at the rear - with the new-style 20-inch wheels make for a menacing look. It’s the same at the rear with the lights connected with a dark red design element. The boot 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. When the car features the optional AMG Optics package, things are even better in the visuals, and better still with the two AMG Night packages and AMG Carbon packages. The interior is typically AMG with the latest generation MBUX with AMG-specific functions and displays, a free-standing 12.3-inch fully digital driver display, an 11.9-inch driver-oriented central display, AMG sports seats in ARTICO man-made leather/MICROCUT black microfiber with AMG-specific graphics and red contrasting topstitching, a flat-bottomed AMG Performance steering wheel, round AMG steering wheel buttons and newe drive modes. The latter now includes the AMG-exclusive Supersport mode with a central round tachometer and perspectively designed horizontal displays located to the left and right.
Being a performance coupe, we’re quite interested in the engine specs and setup, and they’re as interesting as we thought. The CLE 53 4MATIC+ uses an upgraded version of the turbocharged 3.0-litre M 256 6-cylinder and features optimized combustion chambers with redesigned inlet and outlet channels, new piston rings, optimized injection and a new exhaust gas turbocharger. There’s also a new additional electric compressor (what the Germans like to call a supercharger) that increases boost pressure by 0.4 bar to 1.5 bar and as a result, raises torque to 560 Nm in continuous operation and 600 Nm for up to 12 seconds in overboost. The new, 2nd-generation integrated starter generator (ISG) contributes to efficiency and is now integrated into the gearbox bell housing. As a central component of the 48-volt electrical system, it not only functions as an electrical generator but also takes on hybrid functions including short-term boosting with 17 kW and 205 Nm of torque, recuperation, load point shifting, sailing and the almost imperceptible restart during the start-stop function. The powerplant is rated with a total of 320 kW. On the transmission side, there’s an AMG Speedshift TCT 9G transmission with adapted shift times, quick reactions, the double-declutching function and multiple downshifts, especially in Sport+ mode. The transmission can be shifted manually if the driver is up to it. The CLE 53 4MATIC+ is electronically limited to 250 km/h, but rises to 270 km/h with the optional AMG Driver's Package. Braking is oversized, typical for AMG and features perforated and internally ventilated discs measuring 370 x 36 mm, and they’re clamped with 4-pot calipers, on the rear they measure 360 x 26 mm with single-piston floating calipers. All the power generated is sent to a full-variable AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive system that ensures maximum traction in all situations thanks to a host of drive modes, helped along by independent AMG RIDE CONTROL suspension. The optional AMG DYNAMIC PLUS package is a must-have if buyers can afford it, this adds in a RACE driving programme with Drift Mode, an AMG performance steering wheel in MICROCUT microfiber with steering wheel buttons for quick operation, red brake calipers with AMG lettering and active engine mounts.
Take a look at the YouTube video from Autogefühl, who knows much more about Mercedes cars than we do, which is why this video is worth watching if you're into AMGs. Even he's happy that Mercedes-Benz decided to chuck the hybridized 4-pot in favour of the old favourite inline 6-cylinder beast that features a turbocharger along with an electric supercharger sort of thingy: Is the Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 the best new AMG to buy? | Autogefühl
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Cars Launch Reveal New Model SXdrv 6-cylinder AMG CLE 53 CLE 53 Mercedes-AMG Mercedes-Benz