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Mercedes-Benz has unveiled the AMG CLE 53 Cabriolet, the performance division’s entry-level drop-top designed to compete with the BMW M440i. The convertible has 449hp, a more aggressive design and several performance-oriented chassis modifications.
The Cabriolet has also gotten lots of stylistic upgrades to match its AMG billing. The flared front wheel arches allow for a 58mm wider front track than the standard CLE. There’s also an AMG-specific front grille, wider front and rear bumpers, larger air intakes, quad exhausts and new alloy wheel designs in 19- and 20-inch sizes.
The latest car from Mercedes’ AMG division that got a mild-hybrid powertrain, joining the A 45, C 43, and GT 53 4-Door Coupé, uses the same ‘M256’ 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged straight six as the E 53 saloon, with the addition of a 48V starter-generator. This produces 449hp and 560Nm, but torque may be raised to 600Nm for 10-second periods when the driver selects the car’s Overboost function.
The car accelerates from 0 to 100 kph in 4.4 seconds, faster than the BMW M440i and Ford Mustang GT, and its highest speed is electronically limited to 250 kph. This can be increased to 270kph as part of the optional AMG performance package. A nine-speed transmission and torque-vectoring four-wheel-drive system distribute the engine’s power.
