TESTED 15.4.24, TENERIFE, SPAIN ON SALE NOW
Serving as an indirect successor to the E53 Coupé, the CLE 53 Coupé is for the moment the hottest two-door Mercedesbut while it wears AMG badges, it isn't quite a full-bore, Affalterbachmade model. A CLE 63 is on its way, but it remains to be seen what will power it: the latest C63 saloon fell way short of the mark after swapping its roaring V8 for a four-cylinder plug-in hybrid system.
The 53 looks meaner than regular CLE models and gets a suite of powertrain, suspension and interior upgrades to give it a more dynamic and sporting character.
Among the visual changes is the adoption of a new front bumper, AMG's Panamericana grille, a large rear spoiler and a decorative diffuser. Also, thanks to wider wheel arches, it's 58mm wider at the front and 75mm wider at the rear.
The CLE 53 develops 442bhp and 413lb ft from a 3.0-litre twin-turbo straight six, supported by a 48V ISG. It uses a new twin-scroll turbo and an electrically driven compressor. The latter helps to reduce lag and improve throttle response and allows for the bigger turbo. Boost pressure is up from 0.4 to 1.5 bar, increasing torque from 413lb ft to 442lb ft in overboost for up to 12 seconds. An extra 23bhp and 151lb ft is supplied by the ISG for brief periods under acceleration.
This story is from the May 01, 2024 edition of Autocar UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the May 01, 2024 edition of Autocar UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
RENAULT SCENIC LONG RANGE
COTY winner lands in the UK promising space for all the family and up to 388 miles
BMW i5 TOURING
New-generation 5 Series steals a march on electric estate car rivals
ABARTH 500E
Urban pocket rocket? B-road blaster? Actually, it's neither
POLESTAR 2
Sensing deja vu? Yes, the 2 is back on our fleet, but now a much different prospect
Lexus LBX
Lexus challenges the notion that there is insufficient demand for plush small cars
FORD E-TRANSIT CUSTOM
Al-electric van aims to turn Britain's workforce on to zero-emission running
BENTLEY CONTINENTAL GT
V8 plug-in hybrid powertrain replaces trademark Wi2 for grand tourer’s fourth era
FORD MUSTANG
American icon proudly preserves the marriage of manual gearbox and atmo V8
Europe-focused EV3 for under £30k
Kia's new electric model to rival Volvo EX30 and VWID 3 gets 370-mile-plus range
BMW revives Z8 as flagship V8 GT
Concepthints at plush 8 Series replacement and has BMW's most powerful” engine