AMG’s inline-six is one of their greatest engines — and in the new CLE 53 Cabriolet, it finally gets the wide-body, rear-steered, reinforced chassis it deserves. This is a car many of us didn’t expect to love: a proper AMG shape, real AMG hardware, and easily the best open-top design Mercedes has made in years. But is it a true #AMG, or just a warmed-up CLE 450 with a tune and bodykit? And with prices overlapping the BMW M4 Convertible, is the CLE 53 worth it today — especially with the rumoured V8 on the horizon?
In today’s Rapid Review, we take the #CLE 53 Cabriolet for a full UK drive to find out where it really sits in the #MercedesAMG world.
The CLE 53 introduces the new M256M 3.0-litre inline-six with 450PS, an upgraded electric compressor, second-gen ISG, up to 600Nm overboost, and a wider stance than the equivalent M4. It also brings rear-axle steering, AMG Ride Control, additional structural bracing, acoustic soft-top tech, AIRSCARF, AIRCAP, and the AMG Dynamic Plus package with active engine mounts and Drift Mode. On paper, it’s every bit a real AMG — but does it feel like one?
And then there’s the future. AMG cancelled the original 4-cyl hybrid CLE 63 plan, and all signs now point to the new flat-plane V8 arriving in this model sooner rather than later. So where does that leave the CLE 53 today?
We’ll cover:
Full walkaround of the wide-body design
M256M engine analysis and upgrades
AMG Ride Control, steering, and chassis reinforcement
Roof operation, AIRCAP, AIRSCARF, interior tech
CLE 53 vs BMW M4 Convertible
CLE 53 vs SL43 and M440i
Pricing, offers, and options guide
The future CLE 63 and the incoming flat-plane V8
Full Road test
Launch Control
CLE 53 exhaust
The CLE 53 Cabriolet is one of AMG’s most likeable modern cars: beautifully proportioned, properly engineered, and powered by their best engine after the V8. It’s quick, desirable, and finally feels like an AMG product you’d notice on the street — but is it worth the price of entry? And would you choose this over the M4 Convertible? Or is the upcoming V8 worth waiting for? Let’s find out together!
