Written by Curtis Moldrich Published: 21 October 2024

Overview

The AMG range seems to get bigger by the week, so it’s first worth explaining where this car sits in the 2024 range. The CLE replaces both the C-Class and E-Class coupes – and the AMG CLE 53 is currently the most powerful version of the Affalterbach-honed CLE you can buy. In this review, we’ll be talking about the newly released Cabriolet version of the AMG CLE 53. 

As you’d expect, the AMG CLE 53 cabriolet shares a powertrain, chassis and most things minus a hard-top roof with the Coupe. That means it gets huge flared wheel arches, and has all the presence you’d hope for from an AMG car.  

Underneath, engineers have added struts to the engine bay and underbody to put some stiffness back into the chassis. Now for some roof stats: it takes 20 seconds to open and is fully electric, but can only be opened at speeds up to 37mph. That all means the cabriolet weighs just over 110kg more than the Coupe as a result (in UK spec). 

We’ve already driven the Coupe version in the UK, and were impressed, but this is our first time with an AMG-badged Cabriolet model. Read more about how we test cars at Parkers.

What’s the interior like?  

Like the Coupe. The CLE doesn’t bother hiding its C-Class DNA – but it still feels like a premium, comfortable place to be. It’s very techy, as you’d expect, and uses the same 11.9-inch/12.3-inch display pairing as the Coupe. The infotainment system is bright, quick and the screen can be tilted too. The steering wheel is still overly fussy and uses capacitive buttons, though.  

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Our test car benefits from a carbon-fibre trim and sports seats. The latter hold you aggressively but work well for faster driving. Thankfully, the interior doesn’t really suffer without a roof and it’s almost as quiet as the hard top on the motorway and at slower speeds. However, look behind the rear seats and you’ll find a few gaps where you can see some of the roof mechanism – which does ruin the illusion of luxury somewhat. 

Engines  

The Cabriolet shares an engine with the Coupe, but that’s no bad thing as it’s a beast. Essentially an upgraded version of Mercedes’ M256 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder lump, it’s called the M256M and benefits from redesigned intakes and exhaust ports among other bits. 

It also uses a turbocharger and electric compressor, and all three work together to deliver an impressive 449hp and 600Nm of torque. A starter motor forms the mild-hybrid aspect of the powertrain and will provide an additional 23bhp of boost power.

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All that (combined with a nine-speed, all-wheel drive transmission) means it’ll get to 62mph from a standstill in 4.4 seconds – or 4.2 if you’re using Race Start from the optional AMG Dynamic Plus package. That 4.2 seconds is actually the same as the Coupe, which is pretty impressive.  

What’s it like to drive?  

The AMG CLE 53 is packed with chassis and powertrain tech, and it means the car has somewhat of a split personality.  

In the more sensible modes, the AMG is quick but lazy. Steering is easy and light, and the suspension does a great job of soaking up bumps. This works well around town and on some pretty poor roads, but it’s even better when we hit the motorways.  

In this configuration, the CLE excels at cruising, and it’s even better with the top-down. The weather isn’t amazing in Marbella but we enable the Aircap above the windscreen to deflect turbulence away from the cabin, along with the warming Airscarf – and it’s almost summer again. 

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While the Aircap doesn’t look great (it protrudes above the windscreen like a reverse spoiler) it seriously reduces bluster within the cabin. And the Airscarf, which channels hot air around your shoulders from the front seats, means we don’t have to reach for a jacket despite the cold weather. 

But what about the other side of the coin? Use the wheel-mounted dials to switch Sport or Sport+ and you hear the revs rise, feel the steering weight up and feel the ride stiffen. The AMG’s rear-wheel system steer works harder to rotate the car into bends, and its 4Matic four-wheel drive system stops prioritising grip and sends most of the power to the rear wheels. If you select the AMG’s Drift mode, it all ends up at the rear.  

Instead of a soft-sprung cruiser, the CLE becomes pointier, sharper and considerably more engaging to drive. We start using the paddles behind the wheel, and even get some power oversteer on greasier roads. Our only criticism? There doesn’t seem to be a huge amount of information coming from the front wheels. 

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Is it faster? With this much sliding at the rear – probably not. But that’s not what this car in these modes, is about.  

What models and trims are available?  

Prices start at £77,075, but that increases to £82,825 for the Night Edition which adds extras such as carbon-fibre on the dash, a Burmester stereo and a head-up display. The Coupe starts at a cheaper £73,075, but obviously gives you a little less variation for the money. 

Read on for the full, expert verdict on the Mercedes-AMG CLE Cabriolet.