Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 Coupe Black Beast Wants You To Love It

There is no Mercedes-AMG CLE 63 out, as the three-pointed star brand’s performance division still does not know what powertrain to give it, and by the looks of it, there won’t be one, not for the current iteration of the premium compact model.
 

As a result, those looking for the sportiest version of the series will have to settle for the Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 Coupe, which purists might argue is no real AMG, yet it is definitely better than the regular Benz variants. And it certainly packs plenty of power for engaging daily drives, making the BMW M440i xDrive Coupe feel a bit underpowered in comparison.
 
You see, the latter model comes with a familiar 3.0-liter inline-six with mild-hybrid technology, which is a bit punchier compared to the pre-facelifted iteration. The BMW M440i xDrive Coupe, as well as the rear-wheel drive variant, has 386 brake horsepower (288 kW/392 ps) on tap and 398 pound-feet (540 Nm) of torque. The AWD model sprints to 60 mph (97 kph) in 4.2 seconds, and the RWD variant is 0.4 seconds slower. Pricing starts at $68,300 and $66,300, respectively.
 

As for the 2026 Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 4Matic+ Coupe, it kicks off at $76,300 in our market, and also packs an inline-six with a 3.0-liter displacement, albeit it offers more punch compared to one of its biggest rivals in the segment. The output is rated at 443 bhp (330 kW/450 ps), and the thrust stands at 413 lb-ft (560 Nm), or 443 lb-ft (600 Nm) of torque on overboost for up to ten seconds. The 0-60 mph (97 kph) is a 4.0-second affair, so two-tenths faster than the equivalent Bimmer.
 
For whatever reason, the Mercedes CLE lineup does not get that much attention these days, and that also applies to the current range-topping member of the series. Still, we decided to put the spotlight on this particular Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 Coupe, as we think it rocks a very interesting specification. And that’s not all, as it also sends an aftermarket whiff, not with some significant enhancements, but with those fresh wheels.
 

Finished in silver and featuring some concavity, the alloys came from Radi8 Wheels’ portfolio and provide contrast to the car’s satin black look. We have no idea how big the alloys are or what they are called, as @srs_swissrichstreets on Instagram, which is where we found this particular Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 Coupe, hasn’t revealed these aspects. In fact, it hasn’t revealed anything else about it, and that’s all right, because a picture is worth a thousand words, right? In that case, get ready to read 11,000 words.
 
Before you do, let us know if you think this tweaked Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 Coupe is on the cool side of things. We believe it is.