2025 Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 Cabriolet revealed

The new 2025 Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 4MATIC+ Cabriolet has been revealed ahead of the fast drop-top's Australian debut - possibly before the end of this year.

Featuring the same AMG-developed M256M turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-six cylinder found on the CLE 53 Coupe, the new flagship CLE Cabrio produces a punchy 330kW and 560Nm of torque - plus up to 600Nm for short periods with an overboost function.

Pricing will be key, but the output compares favourably against the 285kW/500Nm BMW M440i Convertible (from $150,900 plus on-road costs) and 260kW/500Nm Audi S5 Cabriolet (from $135,600 plus ORCs).

Drive is sent to all four wheels via a nine-speed automatic transmission and AMG's variable 4MATIC+ AWD system, which in Race mode can send 100 per cent of torque to the rear wheels.

Tick the box for the AMG Dynamic Plus pack and you also get a Race Start feature that can launch the CLE 53 Cabriolet from 0-100km/h in just 4.2 seconds, on its way to a top speed of 270km/h. These figures are identical to the coupe.

Without the pack, the CLE 53 Cab can still reach 100km/h in 4.4sec and max out at 250km/h.

Bringing everything to a halt are four-piston front brakes that bite down on 370mm discs. At the rear there's a single-piston floating calliper for each 360mm rotor.

Boosting agility, AMG has fitted adaptive dampers and rear-wheel steer that can pivot the rear wheels by up to 2.5 degrees.

Like the coupe, the CLE 53 gets the AMG widebody treatment with flared front and rear wheel-arches for a more dramatic appearance.

There's also a vented bonnet, complete with AMG's trademark power domes, while the front and rear bumpers have also been revised to aid cooling and improve downforce at high speed.

Quad tailpipes and a subtle ducktail spoiler make an appearance, while an optional AMG Styling pack adds even sportier accents, such as flics on the front and rear skirts, a spoiler lip on the boot lid in high-gloss black and a diffuser panel between the tailpipe trims.

As standard, the CLE 53 rides on 19-inch alloy wheels, but larger 20-inch rims are available.

Inside, common to all CLE models is a free-standing 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and an 11.9-inch infotainment screen that can tilt to avoid the sun's reflection.

For the AMG, there's specific displays, while the upper section of the dash and tops of the doors are covered in black Nappa leather.

The AMG sport seats, meanwhile, come wrapped in faux leather and a mock-suede look and get AMG graphics.

More supportive AMG Performance bucket seats are available, plus other high-grade leather trim that can be combined with embossed AMG head restraints.

As per lower-spec CLE Cabriolet models, the AMG 53 gets the Aircap wind deflector and an Airscarf that sends jets of warm air to your neck on a cold day.

Available in red or grey, the standard-fit multi-layer fabric roof can open and close within 20 seconds at speeds of up to 60km/h, while the boot can swallow up to 375 litres of luggage when the roof is up or 285 litres when stowed.

Lower-series versions of the Mercedes-Benz CLE Cabriolet are due to arrive around mid-year, leaving the AMG 53 to follow later - hopefully just in time for summer.

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