Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 4Matic+ Coupe lands in Malaysia with 449 PS – RM722,888 for AMG’s M4 rival - Auto News | Carlist.my

It’s nice that Mercedes-AMG has delivered a timely reminder of what makes performance cars so captivating: here, newly launched in Malaysia, is a low-slung coupe with a long bonnet and a serious engine. Enter the Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 4Matic+ Coupe, the flagship of the somewhat unsung (C236) CLE lineup priced at an equally serious RM722,888 on-the-road without insurance. At roughly RM100k less dear than the local-spec M4 Competition, should BMW be a little rattled? 

In case you missed it, the CLE made its global debut in 2023, created to replace both the C-Class and E-Class Coupe/Cabriolet ranges. Rather than splitting the two-door offerings across different lines, Mercedes-Benz unified them under one nameplate. The CLE is described as “the best of two worlds: the agility and sportiness of the C-Class with the space and status of the E-Class.” That said, in our opinion, the CLE is a weak substitute for either, especially in its initial launch guise of the CLE 300, evidenced by its tepid reception. The CLE 53, however, might shift the tone significantly.

Made to be the centrepiece of Mercedes-Benz Malaysia's AMG World Of Performance showcase, the CLE 53 definitely looks the part with distinctively aggressive AMG styling cues. Compared to the standard CLE, it features flared fenders, a more aggressive front apron with enlarged air intakes, and a wider stance – 58 mm broader at the front and 75 mm at the rear. The display car shown at launch came in a striking Manufaktur Spectral Blue magno matte finish, further enhanced by AMG’s Exterior Night Package, Night Package II with dark chrome trim, and an AMG Exterior Carbon-Fibre Package.

Standard wheels are 19-inch alloys, but the Malaysian-spec CLE 53 is equipped with 20-inch AMG Y-spoke wheels finished in matte black, paired with red-painted brake calipers. For buyers craving an even bolder appearance, the optional AMG Optics Package adds flics to the aprons, a pronounced boot lid spoiler lip, and a diffuser board between the circular tailpipe trims.

Dimensionally, compared with the C205 C-Class Coupe, it is 160 mm longer, 50 mm wider and 23 mm taller, with an extra 25 mm in wheelbase, bringing it closer to the former E-Class Coupe minus the charming quirks. That said, should AMG transform this into a real sledgehammer, it could be the M4 rival that many have been waiting to get their hands on.

Speaking of which, at the heart of the CLE 53 is a seemingly BMW-like powertrain formula, a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-6 cyclinder, which AMG calls the M256M. An evolution of Mercedes’ M256 unit, it produces 449 PS between 5,800 and 6,100 rpm. Torque is rated at 560 Nm from 2,200 to 5,000 rpm, with up to 600 Nm available in overboost mode for short bursts of up to 12 seconds.

Key upgrades to the M256M include revised combustion chambers, new piston rings, reworked inlet and outlet channels, and optimised injection. A larger exhaust gas turbocharger and an additional electric compressor raise boost pressure to 1.5 bar, enhancing response especially in mid-range speeds.

The engine is paired with a second-generation Integrated Starter Generator (ISG), embedded within the AMG Speedshift TCT 9G automatic gearbox. Operating within a 48-volt mild hybrid system, the ISG contributes up to 23 PS and 205 Nm in short burts, while also handling energy recuperation, coasting, smoother stop/start operation, and improves general efficiency.

Performance figures speak for themselves: 0–100 km/h is dispatched in just 4.2 seconds, with top speed limited to 250 km/h or 270 km/h with the AMG Driver’s Package optioned. For comparison, the entry-level CLE 300’s 2.0-litre turbo-four offer a far milder 259 PS and 400 Nm, good for a respectable 0–100 km/h time of 6.2 seconds. 

Still, to be fair, compared to the M4 Competition (from RM 878,800), the CLE 53 still falls short on pure numbers. The Bimmer boasts about 80PS and 90Nm more, and dispatches the century sprint in a supercar-matching 3.5 seconds. AMG hasn’t opted to build an M177-equipped variant of the CLE, so this is as high as the food chain goes. 

Still, it’s still plenty quick by conventional standards, and coupe sits on AMG Ride Control suspension with steel springs and adaptive dampers, offering three selectable modes – Comfort, Sport, and Sport+. Meanwhile, stopping power is delivered by ventilated and perforated discs: 370 mm front rotors with four-piston callipers, and 360 mm rear discs with single-piston floating callipers. For those who want more, the optional AMG Dynamic Plus Package adds active engine mounts, a ‘RACE’ driving mode, and even a CLA 45 S style Drift Mode for some extra sideways action.

Inside, the CLE 53 combines AMG-specific design with the latest iteration of Benz’s MBUX touch-oriented interface. The system includes a 12.3-inch fully digital driver display and an 11.9-inch portrait-style central touchscreen, both offering AMG-exclusive graphics, telemetry data, and performance-focused functions via AMG Track Pace.

Seats are AMG Performance units finished in Artico man-made leather (still??) and Microcut microfibre, with integrated headrests and contrasting red seatbelts. Being more a luxury grand tourer, though, they’ve also left it with a panoramic glass roof, ambient lighting with logo projection, and powered seat feeders for the seatbelts. Other highlights include a Burmester 3D surround sound system, head-up display, and advanced driving assistance features come as standard.

While much of the industry pivots toward rampant electrification, the CLE 53 serves as a reminder of what AMG has long stood for: expressive design, cutting-edge technology, and visceral performance. Some might argue the lack of a brutish AMG V8, but it may be one of the last few models to pair a traditional straight-six engine with modern hybrid assistance, making it as much a statement of intent as it is a driver’s car.

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