Mercedes-AMG CLE 53

The cabin takes the basic layout from the new C-Class and adds a lot of sporty AMG details.

Cabin Layout and Quality

• The dashboard has a certain cockpit-like feel.
• Mercedes-Benz removed most of the physical buttons.
• So, you have to use the screen to change the air conditioning settings.
• It also features two small digital dials.
• They let you quickly change the driving modes or stiffen the suspension.

Seating Comfort

Front Row

• The front seats are firm AMG sports buckets.
• They have heavy side bolstering to keep you from sliding around during fast corners.
• Both front seats get full electric adjustments, heating, and ventilation.
• The brand uses bright red seatbelts here to add some colour to the dark cabin.

Second Row

• Getting into the back row is a slow process.
• You have to pull a lever, and an electric motor slowly slides the front seat forward.
• Because the roof slopes down so sharply, headroom is very tight.
• Tall adults will find their heads brushing against the glass.
• The two rear seats are only useful for young children or for adults taking very short trips.

Features That Improve Daily Use

• A panoramic sunroof
• The Burmester 3D surround sound system
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• A Head-Up Display

Because of the heavy import taxes on fully assembled foreign cars, the CLE 53’s price tag sits well over the one-crore mark. Buyers can add the AMG Dynamic Plus package for an extra cost to unlock a dedicated Race driving mode, red brake callipers, and a track-oriented Drift mode.

“DISCLAIMER: Prices mentioned are at the time of publishing. Please check your dealership for current prices.”

This car has a 65-litre fuel tank. Also, nobody buys a 442 bhp heavy sports coupe for its fuel efficiency, but the new mild-hybrid system does keep the fuel bills a bit more reasonable compared to older AMG V8 models. The 48-volt electrical system helps save fuel smartly; when you coast towards a red light, the engine shuts off, letting the car glide on battery power.

The CLE 53 gets the same safety equipment as their flagship luxury sedans.

Passive Safety and Crash Protection

• The car uses a very stiff chassis made of high-strength steel and aluminium.
• It stops the cabin from crushing inward during a bad accident.
• Inside, you get eight airbags as standard.
• One’s a special centre airbag that inflates between the driver and the front passenger.
• It has been given so they do not knock heads if the car is hit from the side.

Active Safety and Stability Systems

• The coupe comes with a full Level 2 ADAS suite.
• The radar systems watch the road ahead and apply the brakes automatically when needed.
• The active lane-keeping assist gently steers the car back into the middle of the lane.
• The blind-spot monitoring system flashes a red triangle in the side mirrors if another car is hiding in your blind spot.
• There’s also a 360-degree camera in the package that provides all-around visibility.

The cabin is packed with technology, giving the impression that the car’s both a practical luxury cruiser and a sports car.

But Bilal does point out one thing,

"Calling any two-door coupe 'practical' is an oxymoron of the highest kind. But the CLE 53 makes a respectable attempt."

Infotainment and Interface

• The centre console features an 11.9-inch portrait touchscreen.
• It runs on the latest MBUX software.
• The driver gets a 12.3-inch digital display.
• You can change the screen layout to show traditional round dials or an AMG-specific layout.
• The infotainment system includes the AMG Track Pace app.
• If you take the car to a race track, it uses GPS to record your lap times and acceleration.

Cabin Convenience and Practical Features

• The 64-colour ambient lighting system lines the dashboard, door panels, and the air vents.
• A high-end Burmester 3D surround sound system plays music with incredible clarity.
• The dual-zone climate control cools the cabin down very fast.
• The ventilated front seats keep your back dry during summer commutes.

For a two-door sports car, the CLE 53 is surprisingly practical for weekend trips.

• The boot provides 410 litres of cargo space.
• It easily fits two medium travel bags or a set of golf clubs.
• The boot floor is completely flat, making it easy to slide heavy boxes inside.
• If you need to carry something long, you can fold the rear seats down flat.
• The boot lid is fully electric and opens hands-free.

This car’s riding characteristics sit between a comfortable grand tourer and a sharp sports car.

Bilal mentions,

"Would I daily drive it? Absolutely. And that, perhaps, is its biggest strength."

City Driving

• The standard rear-axle steering changes how this large car feels in tight spaces.
• At slow speeds, the rear wheels turn in the opposite direction of the front wheels.
• It makes parking in tight mall basements very easy.
• As for the AMG Ride Control suspension, it uses adaptive shock absorbers.
• In Comfort mode, the suspension softens up and handles bad city roads very well.

Highway Driving

• The CLE 53 is an absolute performance machine on the highway.
• The long wheelbase and heavy weight keep the car planted firmly on the road.
• The steering feels heavy and direct, giving you a lot of confidence to drive fast.
• When you switch to Sport+ mode, the dampers stiffen up massively.
• It stops the heavy car from rolling when you drive fast through corners.

You get one main variant in India, and it comes loaded with almost everything as standard equipment.

The Essentials That You Don’t Get

• Physical climate control buttons
• Usable rear seats for tall adults
• Air suspension

Since there is only one variant available, your only choices are paint colours and optional packages. If you plan on taking the car to a racetrack, you should pay the extra money for the AMG Dynamic Plus package to get the Drift mode and the stiffer engine mounts. If you just want to drive it on the street, the standard car has more than enough equipment.

But some other things to consider while browsing this package are the minimal rear space, firm ride quality, and, most importantly, the exorbitant price tag. In this bracket, there are alternative performance cars available, and they are much more track-focused than the CLE 53.