SPYSHOTS: Mercedes-AMG CLS 53 spotted in M’sia

The new Mercedes-Benz CLS has been spotted in Malaysia by reader Fakhrul Amirul, and the car you see here is the hot AMG model no less. The Mercedes-AMG CLS 53 was announced in January as part of the new 53-series alongside the E53 Coupe and Cabriolet, coming after the third-generation four-door coupe was unveiled in November 2017.

The new CLS is very sleek in the metal, and the heavily-creased styling of its predecessor is not missed. It’s a lot more like the Mk1, but rendered in Merc’s current design language with that low, shark nose. Note the twin-blade radiator grille that was previously reserved for top-range AMG models (single-blade grille for the 43 range); it’s more subtle than the non-AMG car’s bright diamond studs.

Turbo 4Matic+ badges on the front wings and the four round tail pipes (two on each side) further mark the CLS 53 out. Nice twin five-spoke 20-inch AMG alloys and factory matte finish, too.

The CLS 53 is powered by a 3.0 litre mild-hybrid twin-turbo engine. The new inline-six (the AMG 43 range uses a V6) makes 435 hp and 520 Nm, and is paired with an EQ Boost starter-alternator with 22 hp and 250 Nm of torque. Together with an uprated nine-speed AMG Speedshift TCT 9G automatic and 4Matic+ all-wheel drive, 0-100 km/h is done in 4.5 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h, but the AMG Driver’s Package will unlock another 20 km/h.

There’s no reason why Mercedes-Benz Malaysia would not bring this in, so a launch might be just around the corner.

GALLERY: Mercedes-AMG CLS 53 4Matic+

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