Mercedes-AMG CLS53 teased ahead of Detroit debut

The 2018 North American International Auto Show in Detroit will see the introduction of the new Mercedes-AMG CLS 53 4Matic+, which is being teased in a short video. The CLS 53 will be the first to bear the new ‘53’ moniker, which may have some impact on the continued use of the current ‘43’ designation on certain models.

On the exterior, the CLS 53 gets a number of visual changes from a standard CLS to mark it out as a high-performance variant. The front features a new bumper with a wider lower apron and silver accents on the corner “inlets,” plus there’s an AMG grille to match. Elsewhere, there are new wheels and brakes, a bootlid spoiler, four rounded tailpipes and additional emblems.

Details about the car’s powertrain are not known for now, but it is expected to carry a more potent version of the CLS 450’s mild hybrid system. On that variant, you’ll find a 367 hp/500 Nm 3.0 litre turbocharged inline-six petrol engine paired with a 48-volt integrated starter/generator 22 hp and 250 Nm of torque.

The CLS 450 will sprint from a rest to 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds, so the CLS 53 will likely do better. However, the upcoming CLS variant will lose in the fuel consumption game, with a figure of 8.4 litres per 100 km (combined) compared to the CLS 450’s 7.5 litres per 100 km. This, along with a CO2 emission of 200 grams per km, are the only official figures provided about the CLS 53 so far.

GALLERY: 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS

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