Mercedes-AMG CLE 53+ Cabriolet debuts at Chengdu auto show
Discover the new Mercedes-AMG CLE 53+ Cabriolet: 435-hp inline-six with EQ Boost, 4MATIC+, OLED lights and MBUX. Debuted in Chengdu; sales from 2026, €100k.
2025-08-29T06:05:49+03:00
2025-08-29T06:05:49+03:00
2025-08-29T06:05:49+03:00
Mercedes-Benz unveiled the new AMG CLE 53+ 4MATIC+ Cabriolet at the 2025 Chengdu auto show. This is the high-performance offshoot of the CLE family, which merges C-Class and E-Class lines into coupe and cabriolet forms. The newcomer blends open-air luxury with AMG-grade dynamics. Choosing the Chinese stage underscores the market’s importance for the brand, with an increasing number of premieres taking place there.The CLE 53 Cabriolet keeps the classic cabriolet proportions: a long hood, a compact rear, and an elegant soft-top silhouette. At the same time, the look is more assertive thanks to the Panamericana grille with vertical slats, larger air intakes, and an AMG body kit. New OLED taillights, an integrated spoiler, and a quad exhaust with trapezoidal tips underscore its status. The wheels are 20-inch forged alloys with a distinctive dark finish. Overall, it combines the aesthetic of an open-air grand tourer with the unmistakable character of AMG.The cabin mixes sporting intent with indulgence. AMG Performance seats are upholstered in Nappa leather and feature the AIRSCARF neck heater. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster carries exclusive AMG graphics, while the 11.9-inch portrait MBUX screen includes dedicated widgets for boost pressure, power, and oil temperature. Finishes include carbon fiber, aluminum, or Manufaktur wood, and the ambient lighting offers 64 colors. A Burmester 3D audio system and a head-up display complete the mood. The soft top folds in 15 seconds and can be operated via a button or remotely.Under the hood is a 3.0-liter inline-six turbo with EQ Boost, delivering about 435 hp and 520 Nm of torque. The integrated starter-generator can briefly add another 22 hp and 250 Nm, smoothing out turbo lag. Power is sent through a 9-speed AMG SPEEDSHIFT TCT 9G to the 4MATIC+ all-wheel-drive system, which can route up to 100% of torque to the rear axle. The run to 100 km/h takes around 4 seconds, and top speed is limited to 250 km/h—or 270 km/h with the AMG Driver’s Package. The AMG RIDE CONTROL suspension is adaptive and sits 15 mm lower, while the enlarged brakes can be upgraded to ceramics.In Europe, the starting price is expected to be around €100,000, while in China it will exceed 1 million yuan. Sales are slated to begin in 2026, with a small batch for Chinese customers arriving by late 2025. The Edition 1 will offer an expanded set of options and distinctive décor.The Mercedes-AMG CLE 53+ Cabriolet shows that even in the era of electrification, the brand isn’t turning away from potent gasoline models. It strikes a confident balance of style and strength, serving up not just a luxurious drop-top but a genuinely engaging driver’s car with true AMG DNA.
Discover the new Mercedes-AMG CLE 53+ Cabriolet: 435-hp inline-six with EQ Boost, 4MATIC+, OLED lights and MBUX. Debuted in Chengdu; sales from 2026, €100k.
Michael Powers, Editor
Mercedes-Benz unveiled the new AMG CLE 53+ 4MATIC+ Cabriolet at the 2025 Chengdu auto show. This is the high-performance offshoot of the CLE family, which merges C-Class and E-Class lines into coupe and cabriolet forms. The newcomer blends open-air luxury with AMG-grade dynamics. Choosing the Chinese stage underscores the market’s importance for the brand, with an increasing number of premieres taking place there.
The CLE 53 Cabriolet keeps the classic cabriolet proportions: a long hood, a compact rear, and an elegant soft-top silhouette. At the same time, the look is more assertive thanks to the Panamericana grille with vertical slats, larger air intakes, and an AMG body kit. New OLED taillights, an integrated spoiler, and a quad exhaust with trapezoidal tips underscore its status. The wheels are 20-inch forged alloys with a distinctive dark finish. Overall, it combines the aesthetic of an open-air grand tourer with the unmistakable character of AMG.
The cabin mixes sporting intent with indulgence. AMG Performance seats are upholstered in Nappa leather and feature the AIRSCARF neck heater. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster carries exclusive AMG graphics, while the 11.9-inch portrait MBUX screen includes dedicated widgets for boost pressure, power, and oil temperature. Finishes include carbon fiber, aluminum, or Manufaktur wood, and the ambient lighting offers 64 colors. A Burmester 3D audio system and a head-up display complete the mood. The soft top folds in 15 seconds and can be operated via a button or remotely.
Under the hood is a 3.0-liter inline-six turbo with EQ Boost, delivering about 435 hp and 520 Nm of torque. The integrated starter-generator can briefly add another 22 hp and 250 Nm, smoothing out turbo lag. Power is sent through a 9-speed AMG SPEEDSHIFT TCT 9G to the 4MATIC+ all-wheel-drive system, which can route up to 100% of torque to the rear axle. The run to 100 km/h takes around 4 seconds, and top speed is limited to 250 km/h—or 270 km/h with the AMG Driver’s Package. The AMG RIDE CONTROL suspension is adaptive and sits 15 mm lower, while the enlarged brakes can be upgraded to ceramics.
In Europe, the starting price is expected to be around €100,000, while in China it will exceed 1 million yuan. Sales are slated to begin in 2026, with a small batch for Chinese customers arriving by late 2025. The Edition 1 will offer an expanded set of options and distinctive décor.
The Mercedes-AMG CLE 53+ Cabriolet shows that even in the era of electrification, the brand isn’t turning away from potent gasoline models. It strikes a confident balance of style and strength, serving up not just a luxurious drop-top but a genuinely engaging driver’s car with true AMG DNA.
