New Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 Cabriolet revealed

Mercedes has revealed its performance division’s entry-level drop-top, the AMG CLE 53 Cabriolet, to take on the BMW M440i. The convertible packs 449hp, more aggressive styling and a series of performance-focused chassis upgrades.

Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 Cabriolet design

The Cabriolet has also received a raft of styling upgrades to match its AMG billing. Its flared front- wheel arches accommodate a front track that’s 58mm wider than the standard CLE’s. Plus, there’s an AMG-specific front grille, refreshed front and rear bumpers, enlarged air intakes, quad exhausts and new alloy wheel designs – available in 19-inch or 20-inch sizes.

Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 Cabriolet powertrain

Arriving as the latest model from Mercedes’ AMG division to be given a mild-hybrid powertrain – joining the A 45, C 43, and GT 53 4-Door Coupé – it uses the same ‘M256’ 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged straight six as the E 53 saloon, with the addition of a 48V starter-generator. This provides an output of 449hp and 560Nm, but torque can be increased to 600Nm for 10-second periods when the driver selects the car’s Overboost function.

The car covers 0-100kph in 4.4 seconds – quicker than the BMW M440i and Ford Mustang GT – and its top speed is electronically limited to 250kph. This can be raised to 270kph as part of an optional AMG performance package. The engine’s power is distributed via a torque-vectoring four-wheel-drive system and nine-speed gearbox. 

Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 Cabriolet features 

The car gets rear-wheel steering as standard, twin-chamber dampers configured to minimise body roll and larger brakes. An optional AMG performance package adds red brake calipers, a drift mode, a ‘race start’ function that lowers the 0-100kph time to 4.2 seconds, and specialised engine mounts for smoother performance.

The driver can configure the car with Mercedes’ Aircap system, which uses a wind deflector to direct airflow away from the heads of the driver and passenger. The fabric roof can be raised or lowered in 20 seconds, and as with the SL, it receives an adjustable (12-32 degrees of inclination) 11.9-inch touchscreen.

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