CAR Magazine UK has a first drive of the new Mercedes-AMG CLE53 Coupe, the new convertible version of AMG's sportiest CLE model to date
? If you’re Affalterbach, you introduce the new CLE, a car designed to combine both whilst ensnaring a new swathe of customers at the same time. The AMG CLE 53 is currently the fastest possible version of the CLE and this is the roof-down version of the CLE. Now the genealogy’s out the way…
Affalterbach engineers have added struts in the engine bay and under the body to put some stiffness back into the chassis. The roof itself takes 20 seconds to open and is fully electric. However, it can only be opened at 60kmh or under. That all costs weight, so the cabriolet weighs just over 110kg more than the Coupe as a result .The Cabriolet gets the same engine as the coupe, which is an upgraded version of the M256 3.0-litre in-line six.
AMG’s ride control does a similar thing but with damping, and changes the rebound and compression of each wheel independently, depending on the driving situation and what mode you’re in. Click it in Comfort, enable the Aircap above the windscreen to deflect turbulence away from the cabin, along with the warming Airscarf – and the CLE’s cruising appeal is undeniable. Unusually British weather in Marbella means we can’t have the top down too much, but it’s relatively quiet when up and warm with it down.
The in-line six has more immediacy now, and the steering is heavier and more precise. That rear-wheel steering makes the CLE deftly sweep into line before bends and tighter hairpins – though we’d like more feedback from the front axle. Later, greasy tarmac and a new rear-bias gives us our first moments of oversteer. This is almost certainly slower than leaning on Affalterbach’s state of the start 4Matic system – but we don’t really care.
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