There are few issues on this world that carry goosebumps to my pores and skin quicker 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 may please Goldilocks with its just-right compromise. It gives the graceful and serene driving expertise that befits a big two-door car with a three-pointed star proudly displayed on each ends, and the Mercedes-AMG CLE53 swaps a type 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 no less than for now, the CLE53 is the highest-performance model of this roomy four-seat cabriolet at the moment accessible.
Full Disclosure: The fabulous of us 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 dwell quickly. I used to be supplied with lavish meals, drinks and lodges, after 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 distinct 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 lies an impressively succesful canyon carving convertible with actual room for 4; not a sentence that may describe many vehicles on sale as we speak.
With a beginning worth 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 worth 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 fascinating as soon as one specific choice field will get checked, although.
The AMG Dynamic Plus Package deal 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 automotive’s normal four-piston brakes. The entire vehicles I drove on my journey had been geared up with the Dynamic Plus pack, and although I didn’t expertise a regular automotive, I really feel like this bundle is a must-check choice for these planning to commonly wring out their efficiency cabriolet. Pricing for the cabriolet’s choices hasn’t been launched but, however the AMG Dynamic Plus Package deal provides $2,000 to the worth of the CLE53 Coupe, so count on 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 succeed in 60 mph than the CLE450, at 4.3 seconds versus 4.2 seconds. Selecting the Dynamic Plus choice 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 suits 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 trip 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 automotive, 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 automotive, and it evokes 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 loads succesful in a really environment friendly and Germanic method, however it’s not a playful, rowdy chortle like another AMG vehicles. Relying in your driving expertise, although, this protected 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 easy and snarly. Sadly, the vehicles I drove had been geared up with the AMG Actual Efficiency Sound choice, 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 automotive sounded greatest in Consolation or Sport mode, however the piped-in pops and crackles in Sport+ and Race modes truly damage my ears, so it’s greatest to show it off. Avoid wasting cash and don’t test that choice field.
Apart from the over-amplified sounds, the engine is easy as hell and the 9-speed computerized does a very good job of dealing with gear modifications, however in fact you possibly can 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 larger, although. Its peak is simply above 6,000 rpm, and the engine revs so easily and freely that it leaves you wanting no 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 until you go for the brand new AMG Efficiency seats that seem like they’d be method too intense for day-to-day use, however are literally extremely comfy and broadly adjustable. High-down driving at cheap speeds is freed from wind noise and hairstyle-ruining wind intrusion, and at larger speeds you possibly can deploy the usual windshield-mounted Aircap to reduce cabin wind intrusion. Be warned, although, that deploying the Aircap creates a number of wind noise, so it’s a must to decide the lesser of two evils between a barely blustery cabin or a somewhat 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 velocity, which is frequent 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.
Opponents for the CLE53 Cabriolet are few, however embody the BMW M440i Cabriolet and the Audi S5 Cabriolet. Each of these vehicles are slower and smaller than the CLE53 on paper, but in addition cheaper. The Audi S5 is an aged mannequin that’s on its method out (and with no substitute in sight), however the M440i simply acquired a facelift for 2025, and BMW is understood to understate the real-world efficiency of its vehicles. What might show extra troubling for Mercedes and be extra attractive for potential consumers is the BMW M4 Competitors convertible. Its beginning worth is about $10,000 greater than the CLE53’s base worth, however it gives considerably extra efficiency so it might be a more sensible choice for these searching 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 folks and aren’t able to sacrifice their want for velocity. It’s a roomy automotive that’s able to thrilling your folks or household with its energy and dealing with capabilities. In case you search the final 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 if you happen to’re in search of the goldilocks model of Mercedes’ goldilocks two-door, the CLE53 cabriolet is perhaps the proper automotive for you. In case you can fork over the money, that’s.
