UPDATE, 10/04/2025: Mercedes-Benz Australia has priced its inbound CLE 53 4Matic+ Cabriolet from $175,600 plus on-road costs, pitching it a heady $16,700 upstream of its coupe sibling.
The extra cash obviously nets buyers the folding fabric roof and all the associated hardware which is stowed behind the cabin, thereby cutting the boot space from 420 litres to 375 litres, or 285L when the roof's open.
All of the coupe's mechanical make-up and equipment – detailed below – has been applied to the rag-top, however the 0-100km/h time has grown to 4.2 seconds (from 4.0s) on account of the latter's extra heft.
Original, 26/02/2025: The new 2025 Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 4MATIC+ Coupé has arrived in showrooms priced from $158,900 plus on-road costs (ORCs).
Flexing not only a sculpted fastback shape and aggressive AMG bodywork, the new Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 two-door sports car packs a tuned-up 3.0-litre turbocharged six-cylinder engine that belts out 330kW and 560Nm, with a cheeky overboost to 600Nm available for when you really need to scarper.
Those power figures put it within striking distance of more expensive six-cylinder German machinery such as the Audi RS5 coupé ($168,015 plus ORCs), which costs over $9000 more and generates slightly more power but the same torque, at 331kW/600Nm.
The BMW M4 ($168,700 plus ORCs) is priced similarly to the Audi but its inline six-pot screamer belts out more power but less torque, at 353kW/550Nm.
The all-important zero to 100km/h dash takes the Mercedes-AMG a claimed 4.0 seconds, which matches the BMW M4 but isn’t quite up to the 3.9-second pace of the RS5.
Like its German competitors, the AMG CLE 53 features pumped-up visuals including flared front fenders that are 58mm wider and rear wheelarches that are a considerable 75mm wider, when compared to the standard CLE.
Active rear-axle steering, AMG Ride Control suspension and a Speedshift TCT 9-speed automatic transmission are further standout features, while the footwear comprises 20-inch AMG ‘Y-spoke’ light-alloy wheels.
All Aussie-delivered AMG CLE 53 coupés come standard with not one but two AMG Exterior Night Packages, “…adding an array of eye-catching high-gloss black trim elements,” says ’Benz.
It’s also got a hard-core looking vented bonnet – complete with AMG power domes – plus a familiar AMG-specific front grille, revised front bumper with a new splitter and reshaped air intakes.
Although it doesn’t have a V8 (yet), the top-spec AMG-fettled CLE Coupé is powered by an upgraded version of the brand’s widely used ‘M256’ 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder mild-hybrid turbo-petrol engine. Tweaks include revised inlet and outlet channels, new piston rings, a reworked fuel-injection system and a brand-new turbocharger.
A new electric supercharger also joins the fun, further boosting performance and increasing pressure from 0.4bar (5.8psi) to 1.5bar (21.8psi). The result? 330kW of power and 560Nm of torque, with up to 600Nm available for 12 seconds on overboost.
AMG says the integrated starter generator (ISG) also reduces turbo lag and provides a short-term boost of 17kW and 205Nm when needed.
Check out our reveal story on the AMG CLE 53 for more granular tech specs and details.
The ISG is also designed to improve efficiency, delivering a claimed 9.6L/100km combined fuel consumption figure. While that won’t win any eco-awards, it’s respectable for a car that can sprint to 100km/h in around 4.0 seconds while growling through AMG’s Real Performance sound system.
Aussie vehicles will come with Nappa leather seats, carbon-fibre trim and red contrast stitching while the MBUX infotainment system features AMG-specific displays across a 12.3-inch driver screen and an 11.9-inch central touchscreen.
Standard kit includes heated, power-adjustable front seats, dual-zone climate control, a Burmester 3D sound system and a panoramic sunroof.
You can add fancy ventilated, massage-capable seats and mood-enhancing fragrance diffusion for an extra $2100 for the Plus Package while carbon-fibre connoisseurs will want the Carbon Package, adding $8900 to the bill.
For those need tight hugs (when cornering), an AMG Performance Seat Package will lighten your wallet by another $5400.
In 2024 the Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class found 499 buyers, comfortably outselling the Audi A5’s 122 sales. However, the BMW 4 Series attracted 802 registrations last year.
How much does the 2025 Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 cost?
CLE 53 4MATIC+ coupé: $158,900 plus ORCs
Option packs:
Plus Package: $2100
Carbon Package: $8900
AMG Performance Seat Package: $5400