Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 earns Limited Edition
Straight-six coupe now looks even more like an old '63 - just needs the engine to match...
Mercedes-AMG isn’t really doing itself any favours here. Just as the latest batch of rumours about the return of a V8 in something vaguely C-Class-sized have died down, so it launches a CLE 53 Limited Edition, complete with colour scheme almost identical to the old C63 Edition 1. And not very far from the Final Edition of that car, either. So now it’s impossible to think of anything but two tonnes of ruded-up CLE with a V8 under the bonnet. Because that’s exactly what it looks like it should have.
As a reminder, the AMG Edition calling cards are grey paint (here graphite grey magno from the AMG Manufaktur catalogue), yellow accents for the sills and rims, some handsome forged wheels and even more yellow inside. Seemingly what’s gone before has worked, because the CLE absolutely sticks to the script.
Except for the Cabriolet, that is. The other derivative of the 53 AMG Limited Edition comes in another special colour, spectral blue magno, and for the drop-top the accents are black and blue. Smart in its own right, and not likely to draw any unfavourable comparisons with the past. It must make do without the forged 20-inch wheels, however, rolling instead on the ordinary alloys.
Similarly, both Limited Editions are crammed full of kit, albeit with slight differences between the bodystyles. There’s the AMG Dynamic Plus Package for each, with a Performance wheel, active engine mounts and grey calipers, plus the speed limit increase to 168mph. Where it gets confusing is in the carbon; both 53s are treated to the AMG Exterior Carbon Fibre Package II (spoiler lip and mirror housings), but only the cabrio gets Package I. Exclusive to the Coupe are both AMG Night Packages and the AMG Styling Package, which blacks out almost every styling element, from front apron to exhaust pipe. Again, standard fare for an AMG special edition, and imposing if nothing else. Plus still smarter than an M4.
As well as the yellow, the CLE 53 AMG Limited Edition gets Performance seats with Nappa leather, as well as even more carbon fibre. Once more, the cabrio is there for those who want an alternative, with white hide and black accents. Both get a model-specific AMG indoor car cover for when it’s parked up.
In case it wasn’t clear already, both Limited Editions are mechanically unaltered from standard, meaning the same very impressive mild hybrid turbo. But no more than the 3.0-litres, six cylinders, 449hp and overboosted 442lb ft for now. We can but hope. Both Coupe and Cabriolet 53s can be ordered now, with deliveries due in the summer. Best really dig the spec, however, as they’re almost six-figure sports cars: £96,985 for a coupe, or £95,985 for the cabrio. Yikes. Maybe those £80k secondhand ones don’t look so bad after all. And don’t forget those old Edition 1s - £60k buys a lovely one.
And £100k for that level of power and those looks?! That’s mental, even against 2025 pricing. Why would you ever do that!
And £100k for that level of power and those looks?! That’s mental, even against 2025 pricing. Why would you ever do that!
BMW stuck to straight 6s and offered quite a few with manual gearboxes, unlike Mercedes.
I sold my last Mercedes in 2003 and have had BMWs continuously since 2005!
Sadly the pricing suggests something a bit more special in the propulsion department, but otherwise I'd happily roll around in that.
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