There are few issues on this world that carry goosebumps to my pores and skin sooner than the stirring sound of six inline cylinders screaming as they hit the redline like waves within the Mediterranean Sea splashing towards sandy seashores. When mentioned sound of these six cylinders is resonating off of the astounding magnificence of the arid Andalusian mountains, it’s positively enchanting. I’ve already waxed poetic concerning the Mercedes-Benz CLE450 Cabriolet as soon as earlier than, and now the engineering wizards at AMG have beefed up that huge convertible’s already ample energy and driving dynamics with the 2025 CLE53.
The Mercedes-Benz CLE replaces each the previous-generation C-Class and E-Class cabriolets, and consolidates them right into a single mannequin that might please Goldilocks with its just-right compromise. It gives the sleek and serene driving expertise that befits a big two-door automobile with a three-pointed star proudly displayed on each ends, and the Mercedes-AMG CLE53 swaps a kind of three-pointed stars for an Affalterbach crest, beneath which is an AMG-enhanced tackle inline-6 goodness. Historically, AMG’s 53 fashions are the penultimate model of a platform, however not less than for now, the CLE53 is the highest-performance model of this roomy four-seat cabriolet presently accessible.
Full Disclosure: The fabulous people at Mercedes-AMG flew me out to the beautiful Costa del Sol in Southern Spain to expertise each the CLE53 Cabriolet and the AMG GT63 Professional; the story of the latter goes reside quickly. I used to be supplied with lavish meals, drinks and inns, once I wasn’t blasting by way of the life-alteringly lovely surroundings of the Spanish mountains in an AMG convertible, that’s.
Catch a look of the AMG CLE53, and it’s fairly clear that it’s a special animal than the usual CLE. Wheel arches bulge out, menacing grilles gape wider, and quad tail pipes emit a silky snarl from the AMG-enhanced inline-6. Beneath these aggressive appears to be like lies an impressively succesful canyon carving convertible with actual room for 4; not a sentence that may describe many automobiles on sale right this moment.
With a beginning value of $83,795 together with a $1,195 vacation spot cost, going topless provides about $10,000 over the CLE53 coupe, and going AMG provides about the identical value over the usual CLE450 cabriolet. Whereas it’s not what anybody would name low-cost, it virtually appears cheap given the distinctive enjoyable this highly effective machine delivers. As with the Mercedes-Benz CLE, the Mercedes-AMG CLE53 comes with good normal options together with all-wheel drive, the Aircap wind deflector, the Airscarf neck hotter, a Burmester 3D sound system, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, an 11.9-inch MBUX infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, wi-fi charging, 64-color ambient lighting, energy heated entrance seats with reminiscence, and parking help. Issues get actually attention-grabbing as soon as one explicit possibility field will get checked, although.
The AMG Dynamic Plus Bundle brings the drama to the CLE53. It provides a number of efficiency options together with AMG’s dramatic Race Begin that knocks two tenths off the 0-to-60-mph time, a Race drive mode and a Drift mode, energetic engine mounts and six-piston entrance brakes in comparison with the automobile’s normal four-piston brakes. All the automobiles I drove on my journey have been geared up with the Dynamic Plus pack, and although I didn’t expertise an ordinary automobile, I really feel like this bundle is a must-check possibility for these planning to often wring out their efficiency cabriolet. Pricing for the cabriolet’s choices hasn’t been launched but, however the AMG Dynamic Plus Bundle provides $2,000 to the worth of the CLE53 Coupe, so anticipate it to be equally priced.
Powering the CLE53 is an AMG-enhanced turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-6 with an electrical supercharger and a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, with a complete of 443 horsepower and as much as 443 pound-feet of torque with overboost engaged. That’s 68 extra hp and as much as 74 lb-ft of torque greater than the turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-6 that powers the Mercedes-Benz CLE450. Oddly, Mercedes claims that the bottom CLE53 cabriolet truly takes longer to achieve 60 mph than the CLE450, at 4.3 seconds versus 4.2 seconds. Selecting the Dynamic Plus possibility drops the CLE53’s time right down to 4.1 seconds, however that’s nonetheless a nominal enchancment over the usual CLE450 cabriolet.
What AMG made certain to do with the CLE53 is enhance its dealing with traits. The entrance observe is 2.3 inches wider and the rear observe is 3 inches wider than the usual CLE, and AMG matches it with normal adjustable two-valve dampers and rear-wheel steering that carry a palpable tautness to the CLE. Although it by no means feels harsh, the CLE53’s journey isl agency, flat, and athletic. Of us who need their cabriolet to make street imperfections disappear ought to keep on with the usual CLE, however those that worth the sanctity of canyon carving will choose the CLE53’s digital lack of physique roll. As a complete, the CLE53 is a extra buttoned-down nook carver than the usual automobile, although its heft continues to be obvious. It weighs 111 kilos greater than the CLE450 cabriolet, for a complete curb weight of 4,597 kilos. Regardless of that, the CLE53 clings to corners noticeably higher than the usual automobile, and it conjures up extra confidence throughout spirited driving.
It’s nice enjoyable to hustle by way of winding roads, however it by no means feels tossable. Whereas the all-wheel drive and rear-wheel steering instill tons of confidence in its cornering skills, the steering isn’t very communicative, which made me apprehensive to push it more durable. It’s a lot succesful in a really environment friendly and Germanic approach, however it’s not a playful, rowdy snigger like another AMG automobiles. Relying in your driving expertise, although, this secure demeanor might attraction to you.
AMG’s enhancement of the CLE’s already enchanting turbocharged inline-6 take the engine from refined and understated to clean and snarly. Sadly, the automobiles I drove have been geared up with the AMG Actual Efficiency Sound possibility, which allegedly picks up precise engine sound and feeds it into the cabin, completely distracting from the engine’s actual sound. I discovered that the automobile sounded finest in Consolation or Sport mode, however the piped-in pops and crackles in Sport+ and Race modes truly harm my ears, so it’s finest to show it off. Avoid wasting cash and don’t examine that possibility field.
Apart from the over-amplified sounds, the engine is clean as hell and the 9-speed automated does job of dealing with gear modifications, however in fact you may pop it into guide mode and tug the paddles to shift by way of the gears for a bit extra engagement. I discovered myself wishing the engine’s redline was increased, although. Its peak is simply above 6,000 rpm, and the engine revs so easily and freely that it leaves you wanting not less than a number of hundred extra revs to run by way of. Regardless of this, the powertrain gives some actually spectacular shove, and I say shove as a result of that’s what it does to you — it shoves you again into your seat with a fats wave of torque. It makes you giggle, and it makes the CLE450’s energy supply really feel fairly tame compared.
Driving the CLE53 in Consolation mode on metropolis roads is a refined expertise that’s only a tiny bit firmer than the serene consolation of the CLE450. The inside is sort of the identical as the usual CLE except you go for the brand new AMG Efficiency seats that appear like they’d be approach too intense for day-to-day use, however are literally extremely snug and extensively adjustable. High-down driving at cheap speeds is freed from wind noise and hairstyle-ruining wind intrusion, and at increased speeds you may deploy the usual windshield-mounted Aircap to reduce cabin wind intrusion. Be warned, although, that deploying the Aircap creates numerous wind noise, so it’s a must to decide the lesser of two evils between a barely blustery cabin or a relatively noisy one. With the highest up the CLE53’s tires appeared to transmit extra street noise than the tires on the CLE450 I drove, however apart from tire roar at pace, which is widespread in soft-top convertibles, the inside is a really nice place to be. If the tire noise will get annoying, crank up the usual Burmester stereo and revel in its high-quality (if a bit bassy) sounds.
Rivals for the CLE53 Cabriolet are few, however embody the BMW M440i Cabriolet and the Audi S5 Cabriolet. Each of these automobiles are slower and smaller than the CLE53 on paper, but in addition cheaper. The Audi S5 is an aged mannequin that’s on its approach out (and with no alternative in sight), however the M440i simply bought a facelift for 2025, and BMW is thought to understate the real-world efficiency of its automobiles. What might show extra troubling for Mercedes and be extra attractive for potential consumers is the BMW M4 Competitors convertible. Its beginning value is about $10,000 greater than the CLE53’s base value, however it affords considerably extra efficiency so it might be a more sensible choice for these looking for the very best efficiency four-seat convertible.
Nonetheless, the CLE53 is a stable selection for solar worshippers who want to hold greater than two individuals and aren’t able to sacrifice their want for pace. It’s a roomy automobile that’s able to thrilling your folks or household with its energy and dealing with capabilities. If you happen to search the last word sporty convertible this aspect of a Maserati or Bentley, both maintain off to see what Mercedes-AMG does with the upcoming CLE63 or go for the BMW M4, however should you’re on the lookout for the goldilocks model of Mercedes’ goldilocks two-door, the CLE53 cabriolet may be the correct automobile for you. If you happen to can fork over the money, that’s.
