The team at Mercedes-Benz Downtown Calgary has once again put on an exhilarating display of automotive prowess, this time with the Mercedes-AMG CLE53 Coupe. The CLE53, the successor to the E53 Coupe and C43 Coupe, proved its mettle in a series of drag races against its predecessors, culminating in a showdown with the legendary S65 Coupe.

Setup and Specifications

In the driver’s seat of the CLE53 was Mazen Aboulhosn, who piloted a high-performance model equipped with an AMG-enhanced inline-six cylinder engine. This engine, while not a traditional AMG-engine (hand-assembled and specific to AMG applications), still delivers significant power. True AMG engines include the M177 series V8, which is as of yet limited to the CLE63 model, or the flat-plane M178 LS2, currently exclusive to Aston Martin.

Driver Justin Edgar took the helm of the E53 Coupe. Like the CLE53, it pack———-

Driver Justin Edgar took the helm of the E53 Coupe, also equipped with an electrified inline-six turbo engine. Meanwhile, the C43 Coupe featured a twin-turbo V6 engine, making it the lightest of the three at 3,891 pounds (1,765 kilograms). The E53 Coupe weighed in at 4,429 pounds (2,008 kilograms), and the CLE53 Coupe weighed just under that at 4,244 pounds (1,925 kilograms).

All three vehicles featured the AMG SPEEDSHIFT TCT 9G transmission, paired with either 4MATIC or 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive systems. The TCT transmission is a refined development of the 9G-Tronic, distinct from the multi-clutch TCT with wet start-off clutch.

Static Start Drag Race

The drag race from a stationary start revealed the CLE53 and E53 Coupes easily outpacing the C43 Coupe. Their respective times were 19.05 seconds for the CLE53 and 20.27 seconds for the E53 at the half-mile mark. The C43 Coupe lagged behind with a time of 20.71 seconds. In terms of top speeds, the CLE53 reached 225 kilometers per hour (140 miles per hour), compared to 213 (132 miles per hour) for the E53, and 211.9 (131.6 miles per hour) for the C43. All tests were conducted at 3,445 feet (1,050 meters) above sea level and a temperature of 8 degrees Celsius (46 degrees Fahrenheit).

Photo: Mercedes-Benz Downtown Calgary on YouTube

Rolling Start Drag Race

Surprisingly, the C43 Coupe demonstrated a superior initial acceleration from a rolling start, leaving the E53 Coupe behind at the 60 kilometers per hour (37 miles per hour) start line. However, the CLE53 Coupe consistently held its ground, proving to be the overall winner in this scenario as well.

The S65 Coupe Saga

The grand finale featured a battle between the CLE53 Coupe and the legendary S65 Coupe, driven by Chinook. Weighing in at a hefty 4,969 pounds (2,254 kilograms), the S65 Coupe boasts a potent AMG-built twin-turbocharged V12 engine providing a formidable 621 horsepower and 738 pound-feet (1,000 Nm) of torque.

Despite its immense power, the S65 Coupe struggled with a clean launch, suffering from wheel spin. Nevertheless, from a rolling start, it made a spectacular comeback. Covering the half-mile distance in 20.48 seconds at 224 kilometers per hour (139 miles per hour) showcased the S65 Coupe’s incredible capability.

The Legacy Continues

The S-Class Coupe and S-Class Cabriolet, of which the S65 Coupe was a part, were discontinued after the 2021 model year. While the AMG SL is often cited as the indirect successor to the S-Class Cabriolet, it represents a more specialized niche within the Mercedes-Benz lineup.

Conclusion

The Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE53 Coupe, with its superior balance of power and agility, demonstrated why it stands out in the performance sedan segment. Its commanding performance, both from a static and rolling start, secured its place as the top dog in the battle against its predecessors and the formidable S65 Coupe.

We invite you to watch the full video for more thrilling action and insights from the race. Join us for more exciting automotive comparisons and performance analyses right here on Archynetys.