Skip to main content

It’s Mercedes season and the AMG CLE 53 Cabriolet just dropped

The 2025 AMG AMG CLE 53 Cabriolet is an example of highly evolved automotive performance art.

Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 Cabriolet left front three-quarter view red with black top up
Mercedes-AMG / Mercedes-AMG

The 805 horsepower F1-inspired Mercedes-AMG AMG SL 63 S E Performance is a finely executed almost 4-seater that doubles as a rolling master class in blending speed and luxury — with an emphasis on speed. The recently introduced AMG CLE 53 Cabriolet shifts the needle toward luxury but is no slouch when the going gets frisky. If you drive the SL, wish for more passenger space, and don’t need to go faster than 155 mph, the AMG CLE may be the better choice. Or buy both and take the CLE when adults sit in the back seat.

Recommended Videos

Why the Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 Cabriolet matters

Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 Cabriolet front view red with top down parked on asphalt with hills in background.
Mercedes-AMG / Mercedes-AMG

The strength of the Mercedes-Benz lineup, including the AMG division, is its ability to answer the call with an extensive range of vehicle types with plentiful variants in each category. In sports terms, the Mercedes bench is both wide and deep.

The Mercedes-AMG AMG CLE 53 Cabriolet is a sophisticated, dynamic road machine packed with technological performance, handling, comfort, convenience, and enhanced connectivity features. The AMG CLE 53 Cabriolet matters because it encompasses all aspects of Mercedes’s design and engineering performance.

What constitutes an AMG CLE 53 Cabriolet?

Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 Cabriolet rear view red with top down driving on a curved shore route between ocean and hills.
Mercedes-AMG / Mercedes-AMG

A bullet list to do justice to this car’s special features would far exceed the available space. Every aspect of the AMG CLE 53 Cabriolet has features that matter, many that are unique to the brand.

Consider the power unit. The AMG’s 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine produces 443 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque, except when the torque leaps to 443 lb-ft for up to 10 seconds of over-boost when an exhaust gas turbocharger and related electric auxiliary compressor kick in. In addition, an integrated starter generator supplies another 23 hp and 151 lb-ft of torque when the engine speed is lower. The starter generator also produces power for the 48V electrical system.

Whether describing the seats’ features, the in-car displays, or even the front and rear wheel arches, Mercedes makes its point with great clarity. As Michael Sheibe, CEO of Mercedes-AMG, says, ” It’s a real dream car that’s lots of fun to drive – not just on dream roads but on everyday trips, too.”

Mercedes-AMG hasn’t released pricing for the AMG CLE 53 Cabriolet but will likely announce the starting price before the car arrives at dealerships in the second half of 2024.

Bruce Brown
A Digital Trends Contributing Editor and Contributor for TheManual.com, Bruce Brown writes e-mobility reviews and covers…
Bridgestone unveils its latest soybean-based, grand touring flagship, the Turanza Prestige
Bridgestone's new Turanza Prestige all-season tires
Bridgestone Tires

Ever since we got our hands on a set of Firehawk Indy 500 tires several months ago, Bridgestone has proven to us why it is considered a renowned leader in the tire manufacturing industry. This week, it continues its reputation for innovation with its latest creation that combines performance and longevity -  the Bridgestone Turanza Prestige, which incorporates innovative ENLITEN Technology.

Crafted specifically for high-end sedans and crossovers, this flagship grand touring tire offers an exceptional driving experience characterized by a notably quiet and smooth ride, remarkable handling responsiveness, and superior performance in wet-weather conditions—all supported by an impressive 70,000-mile limited warranty. Setting a new standard in the grand touring tire category, the Turanza Prestige excels in wear life, showcasing a striking 44% improvement in longevity compared to its predecessor, the Turanza QuietTrack, and surpassing its rival, the Pirelli P7AS Plus by a hard-to-ignore 13%.

Read more
Polaris drops a 10th anniversary limited edition, the Slingshot 10
The Slingshot three-wheeler makes no excuses for its unconventional design
Polaris Slingshot 10 anniversary limited edition front view.

What's better than fun? Even more fun. That's probably the mission statement for the Polaris Slingshot team. Polaris introduced the 2025 Slingshot lineup in late January, but the company has already boosted the excitement with a limited-edition 10th-anniversary model called simply Slingshot 10.

The Polaris team went all out with the Slingshot 10. Based on the top-of-the-line 2025 Slingshot R, which was already the most powerful and sporty model, the Slingshot 10 adds plenty of limited-edition styling elements and premium comfort and convenience features.
Why people buy Slingshots

Read more
Road tests start on solid-state EV battery developed by Mercedes AMG and F1 engineers
The range increases from weight reduction and passive cooling as well as energy density..
road tests start on mercedes solid state ev battery testing a race track with amg left front three quarter view

Road testing started this month on a Mercedes "621 mile" solid-state lithium-metal battery. Jointly developed by engineers from Mercedes AMG performance passenger cars and F1 groups and battery cell engineers from Factorial Energy Inc., the new batteries increase the available power for EVs while reducing battery weight.
Why build a solid-state EV battery

EV batteries with solid-state cells have multiple advantages in addition to range and weight. Solid-state batteries also improve driving efficiency and cell safety.

Read more