Mercedes-Benz India has confirmed that the much-anticipated AMG CLE-53 4Matic+ Coupe will officially premiere in India on August 12, 2025. Luxury performance enthusiasts, get ready. The CLE-53, a sleek, performance-focused grand tourer, takes the place of the C-Class and E-Class coupés in the Mercedes portfolio, occupying a special niche.
Style and Design
The exterior of the new CLE-53 Coupe exudes unmistakable AMG aggression:
- The front fascia consists of a bold Panamericana grille with vertical slats, a menacing bumper with wider air intakes, and sleek LED headlamps on either side.
- Profile flair: The stance is widened by the flared front and rear fenders, which increase the track width by 58 mm up front and 75 mm at the back.
- Wheel options: 19-inch AMG alloy wheels are standard, but 20-inch upgrades are an option.
- Tail design: Its athletic aim is reinforced by twin-part LED tail lamps, quad exhaust outlets built into an AMG diffuser, and unique side air exits.
Compared to the CLE Cabriolet, this coupe has a more imposing road presence and a more aggressive appearance.
Interior Features
Performance and comfort are combined in the cabin:
- Dashboard layout: Shares archival components with the CLE Cabriolet, having an 11.9‑inch portrait MBUX infotainment panel and a 12.3‑inch digital driver display
- AMG touchpoints: Sport seats, carbon-fiber accents, a flat-bottom Alcantara/leather steering wheel with red stitching, and additional AMG controls create an atmosphere that is driver-focused.
- Comfort & Technology: Dual wireless A contemporary, opulent experience is guaranteed by features like wireless charging, memory-seat functionality, Burmester surround sound, 64-color ambient lighting, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, heads-up display, and OTA software updates.
Compared to other models, the interior has a noticeably darker tone, highlighting a performance-first profile.
Performance & Powertrain
The CLE 53 is incredibly powerful:
- With 48 V mild hybrid support, the 3.0 liter twin-turbo inline-six engine (M256) produces 446 horsepower (449 PS) and 560 Nm of torque. Overboost causes torque to momentarily peak at 600 Nm.
- The drivetrain and transmission are a 9-speed AMG Speedshift and dual-clutch gearbox coupled with 4Matic+ all-wheel drive.
- Performance metrics: 4.2 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h, with a top speed of 250 km/h (or 270 km/h with the AMG Driver’s Package).
AMG Ride Control (adaptive dampers), variable steering ratio, and optional rear-axle steering for improved corner grip all improve handling.
Positioning of Segments and Competition
Joining the CLE 300 Cabriolet in India, Mercedes positions the CLE53 as the flagship model in its two-door lineup. With more power and high-end equipment, it directly competes with performance luxury rivals like the BMW M2 and Audi RS5, with an estimated ex-showroom price of close to ₹2 crore.
The CLE-53 from Autocar India is a component of a larger plan to streamline Mercedes’ coupe lineup and improve its enthusiast appeal.
Why Character Consolidation Is Important:
- The CLE 53 streamlines Mercedes’ portfolio with a sophisticated grand-touring style, replacing two distinct coupe versions.
- Special performance advantage: It provides a unique counterpoint to the turbocharged V-engine trend with its sturdy straight-six and mild-hybrid system.
- Luxury tech: Say goodbye to outdated infotainment systems and hello to the newest digital interfaces, ambient touches, and OTA upgrades.
- Sportier handling and a wider stance: Rear-wheel steering and adaptive suspension provide comfort and scramble modes for aggressive driving.
What to Expect Next
- Expectations Delivery of the next showroom is anticipated to start shortly after the debut on August 12.
- Optional custom wheel and rim options or AMG Performance packages are examples of variations.
- Future performance editions, such as the rumored V8-powered CLE-63 for India, will be determined in part by customer response.
The Mercedes-AMG CLE-53 Coupe is a high-end performance coupe that is poised to revolutionize the premium luxury market in India. It is a formidable competitor to well-known rivals like the M2 and RS 5 thanks to its potent straight-six engine, aggressive AMG styling, and technologically advanced cabin. Arriving on August 12 at an anticipated ₹2 cr, it combines speed, elegance, and authority in a single, streamlined package.