​​The Mercedes-AMG® CLE 53 Is the Definition of a “Swole” Coupe​

Urban Dictionary defines “swole” as “the state of being very muscular and/or buff and in good shape.” This was a word that Car and Driver used to describe the 2025 Mercedes-AMG® CLE 53 Coupe. It seems to be apt.

To create the AMG® CLE 53, a mix of cosmetic and functional upgrades were made from the CLE Coupe. As Car and Driver pointed out, “the vertical-slat grille may be the first-noticed telltale that this is the AMG® version, but the more transformative elements are the swollen front and rear fenders that accommodate similarly wider tracks, by 2.3 inches in front and 3.0 in back, compared to the regular CLE coupe. Additionally, the AMG®-specific front fenders allowed the CLE 53’s front wheels to move 0.4 inch forward, giving the car a fractionally longer wheelbase.”

They continued, “[t]he lower front air intake also grows larger, the reshaped hood incorporates a functional vent, sill extensions protrude from the lower body, there are quad exhaust outlets, and the decklid sprouts a small ducktail spoiler. The optional AMG® Performance Studio package adds a rear diffuser, a larger rear spoiler, and tweaks to the front fascia. The sum total of the changes gives this car some visual menace, and the available matte paint finish really helps that vibe.”

You get the idea of the steps that AMG® made to give the CLE Coupe that “swole” look. However, the hallmark of a Mercedes-AMG® model is what’s underneath the hood. The handcrafted 3.0-liter in-line six-cylinder receives both a turbocharger and supercharger to boost performance. This is rated at 443 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque. What Car and Driver discovered is that there is “an overboost function adding another 30 pound-feet for up to 10 seconds.” In all, they called it a “hearty” powerplant.

That powerplant continues with the AMG® SPEEDSHIFT® TCT nine-speed automatic transmission, which sends power to all four wheels through the 4MATIC® system. They also added a three-stage AMG® parameter steering that enables the rear wheels to follow by 2.5 inches at the rear axle. For a more tuned-in drive, the multimode AMG® RIDE CONTROL system provides you with options to create the kind of driving feel you want, from carving canyon roads to just driving on the tollways of the Metroplex.

How does it drive? Car and Driver described their experience as “[t]he boosted six fires up without the throat-clearing of AMG®’s V8s, and even with the active exhaust switched into its more vocal program, there’s only the faintest burble when lifting off the throttle. Still, the engine sounds great as it climbs the tach, and we don’t miss the theatricality—although some might. We were less enamored of the tire noise on the highway, which contributes to a droning 73 decibels inside at 70 mph.”

In summary, they had only a few words to sum up on the AMG® CLE 53 Coupe: “muscular, yet mature.”

If this is the kind of coupe you like to flex your muscles in, contact us at Mercedes-Benz of Plano for a proper workout session with the AMG®® CLE 53 Coupe.