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The 53 4Matic fully respects the strategy that inspired the advent of the Mercedes Cle Coupé and Cabrio which are the link between two previous Mercedes ranges, because inside the bonnet it has an engine which is the trait d’union between the families of engines that power the AMGs: the 2-litre 4-cylinder turbo and the 4-litre 8V. In fact, it is an “electrically” supercharged hybrid 6-cylinder that wants to gratify AMG addicts 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 levels, in both cases at prices just over 100,000 euros.
Mercedes Amg CLE 53 4Matic+ Coupé, muscular but elegant
The restorative care from which the most powerful of the CLE was born is transmitted by the strengthening of the width of the bodywork which goes to 1.93 meters because under the wheel arches there are tracks widened by 5.8 centimeters in front and 7.5 centimeters at the rear compared to those of the other versions. The Amg 53 remains linked to the latter with a length of 4.86 metres, a height of 1.43 meters and a wheelbase of 2.86 metres. To close the discussion on dimensions, it must be said that the boot capacity, which is not record-breaking compared to the size of the CLE, also remains unchanged at 420 litres. The muscularity of the bodywork does not change the elegance of the granturismo line defined by the soft connection of rounded surfaces, into which some characterizing details insinuate themselves such as the grille with the typical AMG grille, the miniskirts, the large front air intakes, the air vents. side air, 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, refined interior
The passenger compartment 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 mirror-like manner. Therefore, it always offers the dashboard defined by soft shapes that supports the extensively configurable 12.3″ instrument display which, in this case, also includes the Supersport graphic interface and the 11.9″ vertical one of the latest generation Mbux system , which triggers extensive interaction not only with the car but also with the outside world as it also includes TikTok and the Zoom app for meetings. The presentation of the environment is refined, even if looking down you don’t miss some subdued plastic covering, and is personalized by the sports seats partially covered in microfibre with contrasting stitching, by the Performance steering wheel which also houses the non-intuitive round mode selectors to use driving and mechanical settings and, finally, specific color combinations. The cocktail generates an intriguing atmosphere, which can be customized using what the list of expensive optionals offers.
Mercedes Amg CLE 53 4Matic+ Coupe, radiography
This CLE is powered by an evolution of the supercharged 6-cylinder of the 450 4Matic of 3 liters mild-hybrid with 48 V technology, which includes an electric unit that adds 23 horsepower and 205 Nm to those of the combustion engine in acceleration and pick-up. The AMG review has brought redesigned internal components, a specific injection system and a supercharging complex, composed of a larger turbine and an electric compressor which, providing pressure from very low speeds, cancels the turbo lag effect to immediately guarantee Prompt and linear delivery. The result translates into a power of 449 horsepower and a torque of 560 Nm which, temporarily, can reach 600 Nm, and allows the car to reach a self-limited 250 per hour, or with an optional pack 270 per hour, and to reach 100 per hour in 4″2, compared to a declared average consumption of 9.7 l/100 km. The nine-speed automatic transmission, the continuously variable four-wheel drive, the electronic suspension, the responsiveness of the rear-wheel steering and the larger 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 subprograms to set, for example, the ESP intervention steps, the suspension response independently of the set driving program and the ‘optional Drift mode, with which the car becomes rear-wheel drive.
Mercedes Amg CLE 53 4Matic+ Coupé, sports car with two souls
Even when you limit yourself to driving it in Comfort, the leader-maxima of the CLE range lives up to what it promises on paper with the reactivity of the engine and its beautiful but not intrusive rumble, the result of the coming and going of the pistons and the accelerator load and not of electronic craftsmen and the work of electronic suspensions, even if on uneven surfaces they do not always grant discounts to the spine. The playground where you can best enjoy the mettle of this CLE is made up of a succession of curves. In fact, on this terrain, despite its size and weight which borders on 2,000 kg, it expresses itself at the highest levels, always holding on well to the road with all-wheel drive, changing direction in a lightning-fast manner thanks to the steering rear axle and giving with the composure of its behavior a remarkable driving pleasure. On this front, the performance of the 6-cylinder is obviously also reflected, because when it is solicited by the sportiest car configurations it meticulously follows every millimetric solicitation of the accelerator thanks also to the timeliness with which the gearbox puts into play the right ratio in the automatic mode, surprisingly definitely quicker than the manual one with the paddles on the steering wheel.