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Mercedes-Benz has been thinning its U.S. herd over the previous couple years, discontinuing slow-selling automobiles just like the A-Class sedan and consolidating different fashions that cannibalize one another. Probably the most latest examples is the brand new CLE coupe, which was unveiled earlier this yr. The CLE slots in between the previous C-Class and E-Class coupes by way of measurement, appearing as a substitute for each, and now Mercedes-AMG has labored its magic on the CLE to create the CLE53.
The CLE53 is powered by an up to date model of Mercedes’ 3.0-liter inline-6 engine we all know and love, which in AMG kind has a turbocharger, an electrical auxiliary compressor (basically an electrical supercharger), and a 48-volt mild-hybrid system with an built-in starter generator.
Upgrades to the engine embody new piston rings, tweaked injection, and reworked combustion chambers with redesigned inlet and outlet channels. The electrical supercharger is new and presents near-continuous operation over longer intervals of time and extra torque at a wider vary of speeds, and the turbocharger is a brand new, bigger F1-style exhaust gasoline unit – working collectively, these present 22 psi of enhance, 5.8 psi greater than earlier than.
Whole output is 443 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque – although as much as 443 lb-ft of torque is accessible for as much as 12 seconds when overboost is engaged – and the 48-volt system provides its personal enhance of 23 HP and 151 lb-ft at low speeds. That’s 14 HP and 59 lb-ft greater than the previous E53 coupe and 41 HP and 74 lb-ft greater than what you get from the brand new four-cylinder C43 sedan, and it’s additionally 68 HP and 74 lb-ft larger than the six-cylinder CLE450 coupe. Mercedes says the CLE53 will hit 60 mph in 4.0 seconds, round half a second faster than all three of these automobiles. (The previous C43 coupe used an excellent less-powerful twin-turbo V6.)
A 9-speed automated transmission is the one possibility, and the CLE53 comes commonplace with an all-wheel-drive system that gives totally variable torque distribution. The CLE53 additionally will get greater brakes with four-piston entrance calipers, metal suspension with adaptive dampers, three-stage speed-sensitive steering, and commonplace rear-wheel steering that turns at as much as 2.5 levels.
AMG’s Dynamic Choose options 5 totally different drive modes and three totally different stability management settings, and issues just like the engine, steering, suspension and transmission will be configured individually. An AMG Dynamic Plus bundle provides energetic engine mounts, a Race drive mode and a Drift mode that fully disengages the entrance axle to make the CLE53 function in rear-wheel drive.
Not like the mid-tier AMG variations of the previous C-Class and E-Class, the CLE53’s exterior styling is rather more differentiated from an everyday CLE coupe. Its dramatically flared fenders enable for a observe that’s 2.3 inches wider on the entrance and three inches wider on the rear, and there are practical vertical vents aft of the entrance wheels. This offers the CLE53 a imply stance, particularly with the non-obligatory 20-inch wheels, and the images present the automobile sporting Michelin’s new Pilot Sport S 5 tires.
Up entrance you’ll discover AMG’s Panamericana grille and a trio of enormous air intakes within the bumper. The hood has a practical vent like that of the C63, and the non-obligatory digital headlights have blue accents. The rear bumper has bigger nook vents, a beautiful ducktail spoiler, and a extra pronounced diffuser with quad spherical exhaust suggestions.
Step inside and issues are a bit much less thrilling. The CLE53 will get sporty bucket seats with mounted headrests, a flat-bottom steering wheel with drive-mode buttons, a “Supersport” show scheme, and plenty of pink accents. In any other case it’s just about the identical as the usual CLE’s cabin (which itself is almost equivalent to the C-Class), with a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, a 11.9-inch central touchscreen, squircle air vents, dynamic ambient lighting, and a mixture of aluminum, carbon-fiber and gloss black trim.
The CLE53 coupe will go on sale within the U.S. in 2024, possible in the course of the yr, and will probably be joined by the CLE53 cabriolet later within the yr. Pricing for the usual CLE hasn’t been introduced but, however anticipate the CLE53 to begin at round $80,000.
Coming after the CLE53’s launch would be the range-topping CLE63, however we don’t but know what is going to energy it. The brand new C63 has a plug-in-hybrid powertrain that makes use of a four-cylinder engine for a complete of 671 HP, however given the CLE’s use of six-cylinders, a four-pot doesn’t appear possible. Mercedes not too long ago unveiled a brand new plug-in variant of the GLE53, which pairs this similar inline-6 with an electrical motor and a 31.2-kWh batter for a complete of 536 HP. I guess the eventual CLE63 will use a model of that setup with greater than 700 horsepower, which shall be shared with the next-gen E63.
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