MERCEDES-AMG CLE 53 COUPE

Extra 67bhp and dynamic upgrades for angrier-looking version of new two-door

- SAM PHILLIPS

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.