AMG weaves its magic as Merc reveals faster CLE 53 coupé

THE new Mercedes CLE coupé is tasked with replacing two-door versions of both the C-Class and E-Class, and the line-up has been bolstered with the arrival of a hot AMG 53 variant.

- Alastair Crooks

The standard CLE is offered with four and six-cylinder petrol units, plus a diesel mild-hybrid, while the AMG 53 version uses the same six-cylinder petrol as the CLE 450. However, while that car has 375bhp, AMG has tuned the sportier model to produce 449bhp and 560Nm of torque (with a 600Nm overboost function). The engine is still a mild hybrid, though, since it features a 23bhp integrated starter generator and a 48V motor.