Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 Coupe| Big Looks, Modest Performance
Can one model replace two? According to Mercedes-Benz it sure can, as the CLE has replaced both the C- and E-Class Coupe. But can the CLE capture the spirit of both of their entry-level AMG models?
That last question isn't something the brand itself can objectively answer. And thus I was tasked with roaming the endless corners of the Black Forest to hunt for the truth. Model names bearing the numbers 43 or 53 have been part of the AMG universe for some years now and have conquered their way into many enthusiasts' hearts. Often being more nimble, more affordable, and thus accessible, the entry-level AMG models have justified their existence. Yet the C43 Coupe and C43 convertible are no longer with us, same goes for the similar models of the E-Class. The reason is obvious: the CLE is a single model tasked to fill that gap.
Answering whether the Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 Coupe fills the gap left by the C- and E-Class was quickly concluded when I picked the car up. This CLE shouts that it's something new entirely and comparing it to predecessors simply makes no sense. Being nostalgic about the past did happen to me now and then though, as with many cars these days the noise and weight are an issue here too. But the nostalgic feels were left behind the deeper I drove off into the Black Forest, accompanied by Beau in his 1M and another friend who brought his Porsche Cayman GT4.
Numbers, numbers, numbers,
Not only does the CLE Coupe look big, but it is too. Weighing in at 1.925 kg, this Coupe is one of the heaviest ever from Mercedes-AMG. Length comes in at 4.85 meters and width is comparable to a Range Rover: over 2 meters. Wheelbase comes in at a comfy 2.88 meters and last on the size list is the 1.43 meters height. A little fantasy, aided by pictures, should make a vivid image in your head that his thing is big, wide, and mean-looking.
Also mean is the 3-liter inline 6-cylinder with a happy-to-assist starter generator. Power peaks at 445 horsepower and gets a temporary 23-horsepower boost from the mild hybrid setup. Newtonmeters weigh in at 560 Nm, which are omnipresent when accelerating. Zero to a hundred is done in the lower-ends of 4 seconds but it’s the acceleration at higher speeds that impress the most of all.
Roadtrip
Accompanying the CLE during the road trip were two cars that are renowned for their analog feel. So admittedly, being objective about this car’s handling was tough to start with. See, the CLE weighs almost what the 1M and GT4 weigh combined. Almost their combined length and width too. Jokes aside, there’s no denying the CLE’s dimensions and weight. But oddly enough, that wasn’t something in the foreground during the drives.
After the first day, it was clear the current top-tier CLE was right at home on the twisting roads of the Black Forrest. The trick is the anti-roll bar rods that are not metal sticks anymore, as their replacements are hydraulic lines and pressure chambers. It’s not the first time we’ve seen this technology, the GT 63 S also owed a big part of its handling characteristics to it. Dubbed the AMG ACTIVE RIDE CONTROL, makes the nearly two-tonne car feel nimble.
What did stand out in a bad way, or didn’t, is the sound from the twin, dual pipes. As much as I hoped not to be the bearer of bad news, the old 6-inline pur is dead. Gone, unless you spend money on non-OEM makings. Inside the cabin, there's a sound played over the speakers mimicking the engine noises.
Coming Home Party
Opening the door on the CLE 53 is like a coming home party in terms of design, layout, and overall quality. That is if you're used to what Mercedes-Benz offers for interiors. I promised at the beginning of the article not to refer to the C and E-Class too much but here I break that promise for the sake of explaining. This explains that these models, as with any car from the brand, have very similar interiors and that the same goes for the Coupe conjunction of these. When brands like Mercedes do this, it's always beneficial to models across the range. Higher up you rarely get quality issues and lower down the line it feels like you get what the big boys get.
Talking about size...it's something perceived as luxurious when it comes to the wheelbase, and that may appeal to the old E-Class Coupe customers, the looks should appeal to both groups. Not often does a car, which is relatively low in the lineup, ooze presence like this coupe. Flared wheel arches, massive air ducts (albeit a bit exaggerated), an AMG grill, matte finish, make this test car something that turned a lot of heads. I’ve said it before about the CLA, but this car has the AMG GT vibe about it.
The same goes for the transmission and other technology it seems, like the AMG ACTIVE RIDE CONTROL. Driving assistance, HUDs, it all feels very fancy for this segment of the lineup.
Romance
All romantic novels ultimately end with reality setting in and in this case, the reality comes in the form of a € 90.387 (BE) pricetag. Is asking that amount of money justified for this luxury coupe with an AMG badge? Rationality depicts I can only answer that question to a certain degree, comparing it to the CLE's competition. But also by judging it less rationally is looking at the bang for your buck here.
Its closest rivals, like the BMW M440i, are priced far lower at € 78.150 (BE). Sure, there's a 75-horsepower gap, but performance is equal. In terms of bang for your buck, the CLE does score highly for me. The looks play a big part in this, the build quality too, and the driving dynamics are simply well above average. But as stated above, the price difference with its competition is big. Too big to rationally go for the Mercedes-AMG. Then again, who said luxury coupes were ever rational?
