Mercedes-Benz-Benz has officially previewed the first AMG variant of the new CLE Coupe. The launch date remains unknown, so let’s take a closer look in the meantime.
The car utilizes a 3.0-liter turbocharged engine additionally assisted by an electric supercharger for a total of 449 PS (443 hp / 330 kW) and 560 Nm (413 lb-ft) of torque. Drivers can briefly boost the torque to 600 Nm (443 lb-ft), but it won’t last longer than 12 seconds.
A 48-volt starter-generator built into the standard 9AT box assists with the launch, gets its power through regenerative braking and can supply the main engine with an additional 23 PS (23 hp / 17 kW) and 205 Nm (151 lb-ft) of torque in a pinch.
The all-wheel-drive system of the new Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 can automatically vector the momentum on a per-wheel basis depending on the conditions. In certain situations, the car can redirect the entire torque to the back, decoupling the front wheels during smooth highway driving. You can manually engage Drift Mode to achieve the same.
The standard 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) sprint takes 4.2 seconds. The top speed is capped at 250 km/h (155 mph), but you can pay extra for a lift to 270 km/h (167 mph).
Even in its most basic spec, the car gets four-wheel steering and adaptive shock absorbers with three presets ranging from Comfort to Sport. On the outside, the Mercedes wears its signature Panamericana grille alongside a low-drag aero kit and exclusive 19-inch wheels (20-inch set available at a premium). The exhaust system has been reworked, too, and a modest-sized spoiler has been installed on the trunk lid.
Inside, the seats look sportier than those of the standard CLE and come with red belts. The trim is original all around, there is an AMG steering wheel, and the MBUX infotainment system supports a new mode of information display.