Road Test: 2019 Mercedes-AMG CLS 53 4Matic+
Story and photos by Jordan Allan
Specifications:
Price: $92,000 (MSRP)
Engine: 3.0L Turbocharged and Supercharged DOHC 24-Valve I6
Trans: AMG SPEEDSHIFT TCT 9-Speed
Power: 429 hp @ 6,100 rpm + 21 hp via Integrated Starter-Generator
Torque: 384 lb-ft @ 1,800-5,800 rpm + 184 lb-ft via Integrated Starter-Generator
Curb Weight: 4,447 lbs./ 2,017 kg
Fuel Consumption: (L/100km – City/Hwy) 12.4/8.7
New for 2019: The entire Mercedes CLS-Class has been redesigned for 2019 and features new exterior styling, engine options and interior. The AMG CLS 53 version receives its own distinctive grille, front air intakes exhausts tips and a lip spoiler.
Segment Competitors: Audi S7, BMW 640i Gran Coupe, Porsche Panamera
The Skinny: Given that the automotive industry is leaning towards electrifying everything, performance manufacturers are going to have to get increasingly creative if they hope to keep producing the performance-oriented, gasoline powered vehicles many of us know and love. Acutely aware of this, Mercedes-AMG’s new CLS 53 “four-door coupe” is definitely a step in that direction.
The CLS 53 is the only AMG offering in the CLS-Class and while you can still find other Mercedes-AMG vehicles with fire-breathing V8 engines, this one features a 3.0L turbocharged inline-six paired with an EQ boost Integrated Starter-Generator. This system teams with a 48-volt lithium-ion battery to power an electrified supercharger and to supply power for other formerly belt-driven components such as the water pump and a/c compressor. This does a few things; reduces weight, reduces overall fuel consumption and adds both power and torque for an immediate response.
The extra 21 horsepower and 184 lb-ft can really be felt when launching the car from a dead stop. In addition, the system allows for fuel-free coasting and energy recapture during deceleration. This kind of technology could be vital to performance vehicles moving forward and if we can get some added power to go along with better efficiency, I’m all for it.
Aside from the engine, the car features some great exterior styling that is distinctively Mercedes along with a functional interior that definitely reminds you that you’re driving an AMG. The flat-bottomed sport steering wheel feels great while the carbon-fibre trim used throughout the interior is really a nice touch.
Although it’s a large car, the AMG CLS 53 handles and accelerates quite well which is aided by the sharp-shifting AMG SPEEDSHIFT TCT 9-speed transmission with steering wheel mounted paddle shifters which I found addicting. For a six-cylinder the car had a great exhaust note and even provided and little rumble when downshifting at higher RPMs.
Pros: The biggest pro of this car has to be the performance achieved via some new-age technology.
Cons: This didn’t bother me but some would likely complain that the car has too harsh a ride, but if you’re like me and don’t mind that if it means increased performance, you’ll be just fine.
The Verdict: Although impressive, the Mercedes-AMG CLS 53 won’t absolutely blow you away when compared with some other Mercedes-AMG models, but what’s cool about it is the way it achieves the performance it does. With all of these proclamations of the auto industry becoming completely electrified in the coming years and decades, it’s good to see that there are still people out there committed to having the best of both worlds which is gasoline-powered performance cars aided with electricity to achieve even more performance as well as increased efficiency. If this is something that sounds good to you, the Mercedes-AMG CLS 53 should be something worth considering.
