MercedesBenz has by far the strongest portfolio in the Indian luxury car market which is unmatched by its rivals. The wide range of cars means the German marque has something to offer for every prospective buyer given he/she has the means to own one. The AMG division of Mercedes, which is responsible for developing all performance cars for the brand, has been instrumental in bringing out some of the most exotic sports cars in recent history.
Obviously, having a dedicated team at Formula One helps AMG take all learnings attained in motorsports from the race track into vehicles designed for roads. The latest machine to come out of the AMG stable in India is the AMG CLE 53 Coupe, a performance grand tourer based on the EClass. We got our hands on the car for a day, and in our limited time we got to test the car a fair bit, of course within our limited capacities.
It’s needless to say but every AMG in recent years is a beauty on four wheels and the CLE 53 Coupe is no different. Yes, I am not very fond of the coupe profile but the twodoor setup on a sports car is a visual spectacle for all motoring enthusiasts. The lowslung stance, the multislatted grille with the Mercedes star logo at the centre, the AMG badges, and the large alloy wheels with red brake callipers are all very familiar, something which we have witnessed several times.
The sleek projector LED headlamps with integrated LED DRLs and turn indicators along with huge air splitters with gloss black inserts give the CLE 53 Coupe a distinct face. At the rear, the sleek wraparound LED taillamps and a boot spoiler are also something we have seen earlier. However, the best part about its looks was the black paint scheme with a matte finish which testifies the premium nature of the car.
Step inside the cabin, the CLE 53 Coupe will feel similar to any modernday Merc. As expected, the interiors look very busy with a large central touchscreen infotainment unit and the fighterjetinspired air vents with chrome embellishments capturing most of your attention. The premium Nappa leatherette seats and front headrests feel very comfortable, especially the front bucket seats keep the driver and codriver well cocooned.
The fit and finish and quality of materials is top notch — right from the softtouch and carbonfibre panels on the dashboard and door trims to the switchgear on the steering wheel. Moreover, we found the cabin surprisingly spacious, even though the allblack cabin lacks the air feel, although there’s an electric sunroof to make up for it. Keep in mind that the CLE 53 Coupe is strictly a fourseater.
As expected, the list of features offered with this Merc is extensive to a point of exhaustion. Hence, we’ll try and keep this part short and crisp. Some of the most notable features include a standard 12.3inch digital driver’s display and an 11.9inch portraitoriented central infotainment touchscreen both embedded with Mercedes’ latest MBUX OS. Other noteworthy creature comforts include wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 17speaker Burmester 3D surround sound system, a wireless charging pad, a headup display, ventilation and heating in front seats, etc.
Safety is taken care of by 8 airbags, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), and a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), and a 360degree camera. It also benefits from Level 2 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), offering functions such as active brake assist, autoparking assist, blind spot monitoring, etc.
We earlier called this AMG a machine but this particular model with its menacing looks complemented by the allblack paint scheme can rightfully be termed as a “beast”. But it’s more than the looks that help the CLE 53 Coupe earn this title. To make it simpler for our readers, the CLE 53 Coupe offers five drive modes namely Slippery, Comfort, Sport, Sport+, Individual, and Track. And performance at each level is (or can be) crazy to say the least.
| Engine | 3.0liter M 256M inline sixcylinder turbopetrol with 48V mildhybrid system |
| Engine Displacement | 2999 cc |
| Max Power | 442 bhp (449 PS) @ 58006100 rpm |
| Max Torque | 560 Nm @ 22005000 rpm |
| Overboost Torque | 600 Nm (for 12 seconds) |
| Electric Motor Power | 23 hp |
| Electric Motor Torque | 205 Nm |
| Transmission | 9speed AMG SPEEDSHIFT TCT automatic |
| Drivetrain | AMG Performance 4MATIC+ allwheel drive |
| Acceleration (0100 km/h) | 4.2 seconds |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h (electronically limited) || 270 km/h (with AMG Driver’s Package) |
| Fuel Type | Mild Hybrid (Petrol) |
I drove the car mostly in the default Comfort mode and even here acceleration was electric. During the very brief stint in the Sport mode, the car turned into a ballistic missile. At every instant that I tried to floor the throttle, I was thrown back to the seat with significant thrust — indicating that this is a serious sports car. Forget the Track mode, I didn’t even attempt to go into Sport+ mode since, at this level performance would have simply been manic.
What disappointed me was the fact I couldn’t measure the 0 to 100 acceleration time due to lack of time and proper equipment. Therefore, we’ll trust MercedesBenz’s claimed acceleration figure of 0100 kmph in 4.2 seconds. The onground test is reserved for some time in the future when we can take the car to a race track or an abandoned air strip
However, I must point out one unpleasant experience during my stint. After a 150 km drive, the Mercedes AMG CLE 53 Coupe I was driving suddenly stalled for unknown reasons. The instrument panel indicated some fault with the 48V hybrid system and suggested a visit to the workshop but the car wouldn’t move. After shutting it down completely for almost 20 minutes, the car woke up from its brief hibernation. In my opinion, the overheating of the engine prevented the hybrid system from reigniting which ideally should never happen from a highperformance car.
Shifting our focus from engine performance to dynamics, the CLE 53 Coupe is a hoot. Not because it can perform the way a sports car should, but because it can also perform like any regular car we see on the road. After all it’s a Merc GT, meant to cover long distances in a short span of time. However, the comfort that CLE 53 Coupe offers is next to every possible luxury car available in the market today.
And yet when you decide to floor it, the car makes a complete somersault with its sudden change in nature, that would even put a chameleon to shame. The preciseness and predictable nature of the steering is next level which makes the CLE 53 Coupe a perfect corner carver in the twisties and fairly manageable in bustling traffic, considering it measures over 2 metre wide and almost 4.9 metre in length.
The other impressive aspect is its braking which needs to be sharp and responsive for a sports car that weighs almost 2 tonnes. I got to drive mostly on highways and expressways with smooth tarmacs but whenever I came across a broken patch of road, this AMG was happy to gobble everything I threw at it. The same feedback was also shared by occupants of the rear seats, which should surmise the car’s overall ride quality.
But what about its handling? The allwheel drive setup ensures optimum weight and power distribution across all four wheels, making it a hoot around corners as well as straight lines. That’s the beauty of this adaptive air suspension developed by AMG. As one presses on the gas, the ride quality and steering stiffen prioritising agility over comfort. This dual facet about the AMG CLE 53 Coupe is what makes it different from other contemporary sports cars.
Driving the Mercedes AMG CLE 53 Coupe was nothing short of a sweet experience. Sure, it’s not a car meant for everyday use but only for satisfying the deepest desires of a speed fanatic. At a sticker price of Rs 1.35 crore (exshowroom), it’s anyways not everyone’s cup of tea, and its beastly nature further isolated itself even from the sophisticated elites with a hefty bank balance.
However, those who aspire for the occasional midnight escapades with your better half or those who are privy to a race track or a drag strip and don’t want to spend the entire fortune on something like a Porsche or Lamborghini, will find the CLE 53 Coupe as a perfect way to escape reality for a while and enjoy the spoils of their fruitful life.
