Stand on the brakes and the nostril dips and the automobile slows as when you’d pushed right into a compost heap. The pedal pale slightly on the way in which down, however the slowing was nonetheless valiant and powerful.
But on the way in which down the automobile confirmed its Achilles heel. In its regular mode the gearbox is simply too reluctant to alter down for overtaking so you should use the steering-wheel paddles or dial in a extra sporting setting, which implies you find yourself driving in all places in a decrease gear than fascinating. And the torque overboost means you’ll want a care, as it will chirp and spin the rear tyres on bone dry tarmac earlier than the traction management acquired a hand on issues.
The Telegraph verdict
This high-performance finish of the coupé market is standard with German producers however not others; the Lexus RC-F hasn’t pulled up many bushes and Jaguar has withdrawn its F-Type from sale because it ponders learn how to make electrical vehicles. So, it’s no shock that Mercedes wished its AMG division to have a viable contender and that’s why the CLE has as its foundation the outgoing E-class chassis, in order that it may well have a six-cylinder engine.
That such a portmanteau automobile (a mix of the E-class construction with inside of the marginally smaller C-class to avoid wasting prices) works in addition to it does is a testomony to the event staff. But having two distinct characters is at all times going to be a little bit of a compromise and that’s the case with the CLE 53. But whereas it is likely to be a mongrel, it’s a darn good wanting mongrel and it definitely has some chunk. I assumed it was actually quite good enjoyable.
The details
On take a look at: Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 4MATIC+ Coupé
Body model: two-plus-two coupé
On sale: now
How a lot? from £73,075 (£86,325 as examined)
How quick? 155mph, 0-62mph in 4.2sec (4sec in race mode)
How economical? 29.4mpg (WLTP Combined), 21.6mpg on take a look at
Engine & gearbox: 2,999cc, six cylinder in-line gentle hybrid turbo petrol with electrical supplementary turbo and built-in starter/generator (ISG), nine-speed automated gearbox, four-wheel drive.
Maximum power/torque: 443bhp at 5,800rpm/413lb ft at 2,200, plus 23bhp from ISG
CO2 emissions: 217g/km (WLTP Combined)
VED: £1,650 first yr, £600 subsequent 5 years, then £190
Warranty: 3 years/limitless mileage
