2025 Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 Coupe: Properly Motivated

Tenerife, Canary Islands—It was inevitable. Shortly after introducing the all-new Mercedes-Benz CLE Coupe, the German automaker added a juiced-up AMG model called CLE 53. The first units are scheduled to arrive in Canada sometime this summer.

The Car Guide was recently invited to Tenerife to get acquainted with this new Mercedes-AMG CLE 53, which follows a tried-and-true recipe—more aggressive looks, lots of extra power and a sportier-tuned chassis.

• Also: 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE Cabriolet: Open-Top C-Class and E-Class Rolled Into One
• Also: 2024 Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 Coupe: That's More Like it!

Let’s start with the design. The car boasts a 58mm wider front track and 75mm wider rear track than its standard counterpart while featuring an AMG grille with vertical slats and an AMG logo just ahead of the hood. Larger air intakes and newly added air vents on the front fenders make it stand out further.

There’s a carbon fibre lip spoiler on the trunk lid and quad tailpipes flanking the rear diffuser below. Meanwhile, the optional 20-inch alloy wheels are styled like those on current Formula 1. Overall, the Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 doesn’t necessarily scream for attention. As a matter of fact, we’d even call it a sleeper.

Like a Roller Coaster

The landscape on Tenerife was largely sculpted by Mount Teide, a volcano that can be seen from just about anywhere on the island, with the peak sometimes towering above the clouds. As a result, the roads that take drivers from sea level to higher altitudes are full of twists and turns.

We could hardly ask for a better playground to push the CLE 53 and assess its performance. The AMG-enhanced, turbocharged 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine (codenamed M256M), which benefits from a new electric auxiliary compressor and 48-volt integrated starter generator (ISG), proved delightfully spirited in this singular environment.

Despite air getting thinner as altitude increases, performance is unaffected. Under hard acceleration, the ISG and then the electric compressor quickly get to work to support the engine. The turbo kicks in at higher revs, basically giving the CLE 53 a second wind. Most people won’t notice it, mind you. All they’ll feel is the car surging forward in smooth, linear fashion.

By the way, the M256M straight-six produces 443 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque, but there’s an overboost function that gives you an extra 30 lb-ft for ten seconds. Sprinting from 0-100 km/h can be done in 4.2 seconds. Selecting the AMG Dynamic Plus Package shaves two tenths of a second off that time while also boosting top speed from 250 km/h to 270 km/h. A nine-speed AMG Speedshift transmission and rear-biased yet fully variable AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive system complete the powertrain.

Race and Drift Modes

The steel-spring suspension of the Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 uses AMG Ride Control adaptive damping technology with three modes to choose from—Comfort, Sport and Sport+. Likewise, the AMG speed-sensitive steering system offers three different modes in addition to rear-axle steering. The rear wheels turn up to 2.5 degrees in the opposite direction to the front wheels at speeds of up to 100 km/h, resulting in improved maneuverability. At speeds above 100 km/h, they turn parallel to the front wheels up to a maximum of 0.7 degrees, enhancing driving stability.

The aforementioned AMG Dynamic Plus Package adds a Race mode that optimizes the various settings to deliver maximum performance. There’s even a Drift mode for those who love to slide around and don’t mind burning rubber in a hurry. Oh, and red-painted brake callipers, too.

Two Doors Are Great

While coupes and cabriolets are losing much traction across the industry, Mercedes-Benz and its performance division continue to find ways to please luxury buyers who insist on driving a sporty two-door instead of a sedan or SUV. That’s exactly what the CLE 53 Coupe was designed for, and you can bet that a convertible variant isn’t too far away. While the automaker has yet to announce it, we expect a reveal to take place shortly.

Watch: The Car Guide Test Drives the 2025 Mercedes-AMG CLE 53