Of Power And Poise

The 2025 Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 Coupé is a balancing act that bridges all the gaps: between spirited performance and everyday luxury, quiet confidence and ostentation.

- Low Weixian

I SPENT THREE days with the Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 Coupé, and from the outset, its striking Spectral Blue finish held my gaze longer than I'd like to admit. My first impression? This is a car that keeps you intrigued. Like pairing a tailored suit with sneakers, this two-door beauty strikes a balance between sporty and sophisticated-polished, yet poised for action.

Compared to its CLE 200 sibling, the CLE 53 boasts a wider stance and more muscular proportions, exuding understated dominance without any need for ostentation. The true revelation, however, lies beneath its elegant exterior, coming to life the moment you press the start button.

A silent performer

Let's start with the engine. Unlike its C 63 cousin, which rocks a far-more complex turbocharged four-cylinder plug-in hybrid powertrain, the CLE 53 Coupé keeps it simple with a dual-turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-six cylinder engine, ready to churn out 449hp and 560Nm. It'll take you from standstill to 100km/h in 4.2 seconds, with a top speed of 250km/h.