About Mercedes-AMG CLE53 Cabriolet
Creating a coupe and a convertible that borrowed the styling cues from the E-class but based on a platform shared with the C-Class wasn’t new for Mercedes-Benz. It previously did that in the ‘90s and 2000s with the CLK lineup. Afterward, the car manufacturer split the lines and made the C-Class Coupe and the E-Class Coupe with their convertible versions. In 2023, the German automaker returned to the previous solution, albeit it named the product the CLE. At least, this time, both the C and the E letters were put in the same nameplate. Furthermore, Mercedes-AMG used the same badge when it created the more powerful version of the car, resulting in the CLE53 Coupe and Cabriolet, respectively. At first, it launched the hard-top version, and later, it brought the open-top one, just in time for the summer of 2024.
The 2024 Mercedes-AMG CLE53 4Matic+ Cabriolet shared its front fascia with its coupe sibling. It featured the same Panamericana-style grille with vertical slats on the upper side of the bumper. On the lower side, the automaker placed the traditional A-shaped air intake flanked by the wide side scoops that channeled air toward the front brakes. In addition, Mercedes-AMG offered a so-called Night Package that used piano-black accents on these grilles, air intakes, and door mirror caps. On the hood, between the two longitudinal power domes, the automaker placed an exhaust vent.
From its profile, the CLE53 Cabriolet boasted its 19-inch standard alloy wheels, with an option for a 20-inch set. Compared to the Mercedes-Benz CLE, this empowered version featured wider front and rear fenders, creating an even more impressive stance to the open-top four-seater. An exhaust vent behind the front wheel arches emphasized the car’s sporty character. The car manufacturer included the Aircap feature as standard on the CLE53 Cabriolet. It consisted of two elements: a flap mounted above the windscreen and a wind deflector behind the rear seats. Both pieces could extend and retract at the touch of a button to create an aerodynamic shield above the occupants. In addition, when only the front seats were occupied, the owners could place another wind deflector in front of the rear bench seat. Out back, the CLE53 Cabriolet featured LED taillights that flanked the trunk, similar to those installed on the coupe, while the lower bumper was decorated by round tips for the exhausts.
AMG created a luxurious and sporty-looking interior for the CLE53 Cabriolet. It didn’t take the shortcut and just placed the same seats and upholstery from the Coupe version. Instead, it reworked it massively. The 11.9-inch portrait-mode central touchscreen could be tilted from 15 to 40 degrees to prevent distracting light reflections when the top was down. This feature wasn’t needed nor installed in the coupe. But still, the automaker kept the same 12.3-inch digital display inside the instrument cluster that fronted the driver for main information such as speed and data gathered from the car’s onboard computer. Mercedes-AMG also provided a standard set of bucket seats, while a set of AMG performance seats with integrated headrests was available. All of them featured the already-known Airscarf feature that blew warm air into the occupants’ necks.
Under the hood, Mercedes-AMG placed a 3.0-liter inline-six engine for the 2024 CLE53 Cabriolet. In addition, an integrated started generator (ISG) helped the powerplant to provide a total output of 449 PS (443 hp). The automaker paired it with a nine-speed automatic transmission that sent all the oomph in all corners.