When Mercedes-AMG engineers took the subtle CLE Coupe, force-fed it moderate amounts of steroids, and made it look moderately cool without drawing wanton attention, the result was the Mercedes-AMG CLE53 Coupe. What about the Cabriolet version?
2025 Mercedes-AMG CLE53 Cabriolet
The Mercedes-AMG CLE53 Cabriolet is the latest AMG open-top model. It starts at 100,436 Euros, which is less expensive than the Mercedes-AMG SL43, making it the season’s bargain. The CLE53 Cabriolet is a bold blend of machoness and subtlety, as you would expect from a moderately beefed-up CLE Cabriolet.
Under the hood, the CLE53 Cabriolet has a 3.0L inline-six engine with an electric turbo and an integrated starter generator that produces up to 472PS of power. Mated to an AMG Speedshift TCT 9G and AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive, it does 0-100kph in 4.4 seconds and has an electronically limited top speed of 250kph.
The CLE53 Cabriolet is a moderately good car to drive on the road and on the track. It has AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive with fully adaptable power distribution and rear-wheel steering. It also has AMG DYNAMIC SELECT, three-stage AMG parameter steering with variable ratio, and AMG RIDE CONTROL suspension with adaptive damping. However, the controversial AMG Real Performance Sounds is downright filtered.
Having a V6-powered convertible with a six-figure price tag is outrageous, but for the fun of it, you can really have the CLE53 Cabriolet over the SL43 because despite being slower than that, it is less expensive, more powerful, and overall, more fun to drive. It's a bravado of a bargain AMG managed to pull it off.
The Mercedes-Benz CLK-GTR and the Lamborghini Reventon made their way back to Forza Motorsport's Update 10 and having won these two timeless exotics, it's time to have a word with them.
Let's begin with the Lamborghini Reventon that I won by completing Update 10's Open Tour until the August 14, 2024 deadline.
Unveiled at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show and limited to 20 units, costing about two million dollars each, the Reventon is one of the rarest and most unique Lamborghini models ever made, using some of the components from the Murcielago LP640. It was named after a fighting bull famed for the death of Mexican bullfighter Felix Guzman in 1943 and heavily inspired the design of the fighter jet.
The 6.5L V12 derived from the LP640 Murcielago gave a 10HP boost, therefore it has 650HP of power and 660Nm of torque. When it was driven somewhere in Dubai, it achieved 356 kilometers per hour (221.2 mph) of top speed.
Of 20 made, 10 were delivered to the United States, 7 to Europe, 1 to Canada, and 2 to Asia. Notable owners include Khalid Abdul Rahim of Bahrain, Chechen president Ramzan Kadyrov, and Ken Lingenfelter who is a car collector in Michigan.
Lastly, let's get to know the Mercedes-Benz CLK-GTR, the one that I got from Update 10's Nemesis Tour until the August 28, 2024 deadline.
Introduced in 1997, the Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR is a GT1-class racing machine that is made to compete in the FIA GT Championship. A year later, it spawned its road-legal homologated equivalent. Powering the road car is a 6.9L V12 engine that produces 604HP of power, making it capable of going from 0-60mph in 3.8 seconds and has a top speed of 198mph.
Only 26 road cars were made and sold, making it one of the most exclusive and desirable Mercedes-Benz models ever produced. 20 were coupes and 6 were roadsters. Two of them, a coupe and a roadster, were RHD models built for the 29th Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah. The other two coupes left the factory with SuperSport specifications powered by the 7.3L V12 engine that would later power the Pagani Zonda.
Let's take these two iconic supercars for a quick spin around South Africa's Kyalami GP Circuit. We'll see how fast they can go and how much power they have.
These cars really are in a class of their own. They are unrivaled from the way they look to the way they feel.
The Mercedes-Benz CLE is the only good-looking luxury coupe you can find at your nearest Mercedes dealership, which is ideal if you don't like the looks of today's BMW 4-Series. Those who want an open-top experience should go for the new Cabriolet version of the CLE.
2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE Cabriolet
With prices starting at 66,402 Euros plus additional costs, the first-ever Mercedes-Benz CLE Cabriolet is the only non-AMG two-door convertible you can find at a Mercedes-Benz dealership near you and while it is not interested in your "speedo boy" games, the CLE Cabriolet is the ideal weekend getaway car for you to unwind after a long week.
2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE Cabriolet interior
For a quick recap on the exterior, the CLE's front came from the W206 C-Class while the rear view came from the Mercedes EQ saloon family and the silhouette looks broadly like the now-defunct C-Class Coupe. Asked about the dimensions, the CLE is sized between the two now-defunct coupes. For the Cabriolet version, the foldable soft-top roof can be opened and closed at the touch of a button even at slow speeds.
As for the interior, it's all typical "new normal" Mercedes dashboard you can expect in the CLE because it comes with a 12.3-inch digital display and a portrait-oriented 11.9-inch central display as well as ambient lighting features with indirect lighting strips, an available Ambient Lighting Plus package, a new Easy-Entry function to gain access to the rather cramped rear seats, the latest MBUX, and a choice of three sound system configurations at launch, including the Burmester 3D surround sound system.
Asked about the boot space, the CLE Coupe can carry up to 385L of goodies at the back, less than its hardtop equivalent but more than the now-defunct E-Class Cabriolet.
In addition to the four-cylinder 2.0L petrol engine (CLE 200 and CLE 300) and a 2.0L four-cylinder turbodiesel engine (CLE 220d), the CLE 450 AMG Line 4MATIC variant comes exclusive with the 3.0L turbocharged inline-six petrol engine with MHEV tech which produces 404PS of power and 500Nm of torque. Mated to a 9-speed automatic, it does 0-100kph in 4.7 seconds and has an electronically limited top speed of 250. This setup is also available in the coupe version as well.
Although it shows little interest in the fun side because this is a normal Mercedes convertible, the dynamics made it feel like a grand tourer that values comfort over performance, which is unheard of in a two-door Mercedes like this. Coupled with the DYNAMIC BODY CONTROL, DYNAMIC SELECT, and a sports brake system, drivers can enjoy it in various ways and means in a rather dramatic way.
Like the Coupe, the CLE Cabriolet comes with the available Parking Package with a 360° camera, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Active Brake Assist, DISTRONIC Active Distance Assistant, and the available Driving Assistance Package Plus. Such features made drivers difficult to explain why lodged in a coupe like this.
Just like its hardtop equivalent, it is a modest two-door luxury convertible that prefers to be taken lightly, not hardly. Story of its life.
Available colors: graphitgrau magno, opalithweiß bright, patagonienrot metallic, alpingrau uni, obsidianschwarz, graphitgrau, Metalliclack hightechsilber, Metalliclack spektralblau, schwarz, and Unilack polarweiß.
Would you look at that? The European Automotive update of Forza Horizon 5 is constantly littered with European junk cars out from the junkyard and into the ever-growing FH5 car roster. The cesspool of junk cars keeps on growing.
First up is the Lancia Fulvia from the Hot Season Playlist. Powered by a 1.3L V4 engine, it's the car that made Lancia win its first World Rally Championship. Not bad for a front-wheel-drive coupe that costs more than the Jaguar E-Type when it was new.
Next up is the Citroen DS 23 from the Storm Season Playlist. This is the iconic hatchback that first introduced Citroen's signature hydropneumatic self-leveling suspension system which uses liquid hydraulic and gas-pressured suspension instead of springs, giving it a comfy ride on all kinds of road surfaces. It was the first to use disc brakes.
Fresh from the Dry Season Playlist is the Series 4 Lotus Esprit, the last V8-powered Lotus ever made and one of the last production cars with pop-up headlights.
The Hot Season Playlist featured a double bill of German garbage; the Volkswagen Double Cab Pick-up and the Mercedes-Benz 500 E. The Doka is basically the pickup variant of the Volkswagen Type 2 minibus while the 500 E is the V8-powered variant of the W124 E-Class made from a Porsche factory.
Let's give the quintuplet of European garbage a good dirty driving, and showcase just how good these rusty beaters from the Old Continent were. Roll the tapes.
These rusty beaters proved their point but as it turned out, they were nothing compared to the worst European toxic waste of the pack; the AMG Hammer Wagon from the European Automotive DLC Pack.
The AMG Hammer Wagon is a one-off W214 wagon built for a client from the USA. Started out in life as a diesel-powered W214 wagon until the original owner commissioned AMG to convert it into a super wagon, armed with a 6.0L V8 engine producing 375hp of power while mated to a 4-speed AT. It even comes with a locking differential to help the rear axle endure the punishment from the V8 engine, among others.
Want to see how the AMG Hammer Wagon roars? You're in luck because let's get the tape rolling.
The latest batch of toxic waste dump proves that the cesspool of rusty beaters never stops growing, giving Gen Z players uncontrollable anxiety, complaining about why the Forza producers keep dumping junk cars in such a wonderful racing game.
Are we seeing more junk cars in the next FH5 series update next week? Yes, there will be junk cars next week so brace yourselves for more rusty beaters ruining your FH5 experience.
The SL-Class rewrote the rules of what a grand tourer should be in terms of elegance and performance. It's known to be one of the longest-running names in Mercedes's history.
The age of the new normal deserves a new SL for this generation and here it is.
You're looking at the Mercedes-AMG SL, the latest chapter of the SL-Class lineage and I got one from Forza Horizon 5's European Automotive Dry Season Playlist.
So, what's it all about the Mercedes-AMG SL?
No longer called the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class, the first-ever Mercedes-AMG SL continues the SL lineage in a whole new approach. Sized and styled to AMG GT standards, the Mercedes-AMG SL is powered by the same 4.0L V8 Twin Turbo engine as the said model. In the SL63, it produces 585PS of power and while mated to an AMG Speedshift 9G and 4MATIC+, it does 0-100kph time of 3.6 seconds and 315kph of top speed.
Is the Mercedes-AMG SL a revolution or a sacrilege to the SL lineage? To prove my point, I've pitted against the most powerful SL from the distant past, the Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series. V8 vs. V12. Which one is superior? Let's roll the tape.
And now the results...
SL65 Black Series - 1m16.093s
SL63 (R232) - 1m15.626s
It's a close result! Despite being less powerful than the SL65 Black, the all-new Mercedes-AMG SL63 barely defeated it close-shave!
Undoubtedly, the Mercedes-AMG SL is the pinnacle of the SL lineage, and with its elegance and performance inherited from its ancestors, the star is reborn after all.
Man, I would like to end my impression with the Mercedes-AMG SL but...my brain just hatched an idea. What role will the Mercedes-AMG SL63 4MATIC+ play in Horizon Mexico?
The Mercedes-AMG CLE53 Coupe is what happens when they made the subtle CLE Coupe force-feeding moderate amounts of steroids and made it look moderately cool without drawing wanton attention.
2024 Mercedes-AMG CLE53 Coupe
Starting at 91,511 Euros plus additional costs, it is the least expensive of the Mercedes-AMG coupe lineup. Although cheaper to own than the awful-looking BMW M4, the latter can eat it alive on the road and track, mind you.
The Mercedes-AMG CLE53 Coupe transforms the subtle CLE into a moderately macho machine that prefers to take it seriously without the wanton brutality that most high-performance coupes can throw at them. With its typical AMG exterior treatments, the AMG Performance steering wheel, and sports seats with red contrast stitching and red accents, among others, the CLE53 is a brave bold blend of machoness and subtlety you can expect from a moderately beefed-up CLE Coupe.
Under the hood, the CLE53 is armed with a 3.0L inline-six engine with an electric turbo and an integrated starter generator that produces up to 472PS of power, less than the base BMW M4 Coupe. Mated to an AMG Speedshift TCT 9G and AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive, it does 0-100kph in 4.2 seconds and has an electronically limited top speed of 250kph.
Because the CLE53 comes with the AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive with fully adaptable power distribution and rear-wheel steering, it feels moderately good to drive on the road and on the track. Coupled with the AMG DYNAMIC SELECT, three-stage AMG parameter steering with variable ratio, and AMG RIDE CONTROL suspension with adaptive damping, you'll find plenty of reasons why and why not enjoy the CLE53 in every way, although the controversial AMG Real Performance Sounds is downright filtered by the way. This is something not you would expect on a modern sports car like the CLE53.
On a scale between the now-axed E53 Coupe and C63 Coupe, I can say that the CLE53 sits between them. Not extreme as such but it feels moderately good everywhere. Sure, the BMW M4 can chew it alive but when it comes to being subtlety and macho, the CLE53 is the one. Case closed.
With the arrival of the all-new, second-generation Mercedes-AMG GT, the Mercedes-AMG family is now officially an all-AWD lineup, which is a shame for trigger-happy purists who enjoyed its glorious tire-burning past. Transition aside, let's get to know more about the all-new, all-wheel-drive, second-generation model.
2024 Mercedes-AMG GT
Starting at 188,704 Euros plus additional costs, the all-new, all-wheel-drive, second-generation Mercedes-AMG GT is the latest chapter of the AMG-original sports car that promises to be as good as the previous model but with the added AWD capability to throw punches everywhere.
2024 Mercedes-AMG GT interior
Beginning with the design, the new model stays true to its predecessor's roots by retaining the familiar silhouette that is easy to distinguish while the front view dons the signature AMG grille from its predecessor's AMG GT3 racing machine, and the rear taillights are inspired by the EQ range.
The new interior packs a similar layout to its open-top equivalent, the Mercedes-AMG SL, meaning it's got that Tesla-esque touchscreen that handles the infotainment and climate control as well as track data while in the middle of track days.
For the first time in an AMG GT, it can be configured to have two additional seats, although it's too tight to get through, meaning the only purpose for these two extra seats in the back is either a child seat or your pet. Of course, it can be folded down to accommodate some stuff at the back such as your suitcases or golf bags but who cares about it. This new model is starting to feel like a grand tourer rather than a modern sports car.
2024 Mercedes-AMG GT
At launch, the second-generation Mercedes-AMG GT is offered only in GT63 configuration armed with a 9-speed MCT and 4MATIC+ with fully variable torque distribution allowing it to behave in either a four-wheel-drive or rear-wheel-drive, depending on road conditions. With a power output of 585PS and 800Nm of torque, the GT63 is capable of hitting 0-100kph in 3.2 seconds and a top speed of 315kph, about 2kph slower than the previous model's R. Touche.
Taking advantage of AMG's motorsport know-how, the all-new AMG GT features an eclectic mix of aluminum, steel, magnesium, and fiber composites for maximum rigidity, top performance, and weight savings. Thanks to its GT3-inspired grille and active aerodynamics, it's got better downforce and drag compared to its predecessor, making it easy to breathe in before its blow-by-blow close combat.
With its improved dynamics and the AMG ACTIVE RIDE CONTROL suspension with active roll stabilization, this sports car is fully prepared for almost everything, come tarmac, gravel, or snow. Ain't no Bentley but this is how this new model rolls, metaphorically speaking.
As expected, the all-new Mercedes-AMG GT is stuck with the most advanced driving assistance systems and while such things work in normal driving conditions, they can be worth intimidating for speedo boys behind the wheel.
Although the switch to AWD is controversial, and the optional two extra seats at the back cramps its character, this is the AMG GT the whole multiverse should be pouring in its glass of water right now. With its improved looks and performance, this is the true show of force the AMG way and this one's too impossible to be ignored. Any takers?
The AMG Black Series lineage is known for pushing beyond the limits with its race-bred performance and dynamics only the privileged can enjoy.
So, what makes the AMG Black Series, pun intended, darker than black? I got three AMG Black Series vehicles in Forza Horizon 5 to make statements.
Let's begin with the SL65 AMG Black Series. Using the R230 SL65 AMG as its basis, the Black Series is an upgraded version of the said model which comes with an improved version of a 6.0L V12 twin-turbo engine mated with an AMG SPEEDSHIFT PLUS five-speed automatic transmission. With the engine developing 661HP of power, it is the most powerful V12-powered AMG vehicle ever. 0-60mph in 3.7 seconds and top speed limited to 199mph. Aside from its raw power, the Black Series is 250kg lighter than the regular SL65 because of the use of light carbon fiber composite (CFRP) parts and replacing the foldable hardtop roof with a fixed roof.
Next is the C63 AMG Black Series, a beefed-up version of the C63 AMG Coupe. It is armed with an improved AMG 6.2L V8 engine producing 517PS of power and 620Nm of torque. Apart from the performance, it also comes with 255/35 R 19 and 285/30 R 19 wheels, black diffuser insert from SLS AMG GT3, chromed twin tailpipes, AMG sports suspension with AMG rear axle differential lock, 3-stage ESP, and others. Mercedes-Benz limits production of the C63 AMG Black up to 650 units but with high demand, it was extended to 800 units, and all of them bought one of these.
Lastly is the most powerful AMG Black Series vehicle ever made; the Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series. It features aerodynamics inspired by the Mercedes-AMG GT3 racing machine, making it a road-legal track toy in its own right. Apart from the race-inspired aerodynamics, the 4.0L V8 BiTurbo engine has been tuned to produce 730PS of power output, making it the most powerful ICE-powered AMG model ever built.
Mated to a 7G-DCT, it has a top speed of 325kph. It lapped the Nurburgring Nordschleife in 6:48.047, which is faster than the Lamborghini Aventador SVJ, although beaten by a modified Porsche 911 991.2 GT2 RS, which was later beaten by the FH5 hero car, the Mercedes-AMG ONE.
With all three gathered around Copper Canyon, it's time to find out which of the AMG Black Series lineage is the best, and as always...
...fastest time wins. This comparison will demonstrate how much progress AMG has made with the Black Series lineage from the V12-powered SL65 AMG Black Series to the road-legal track car that is the AMG GT Black Series. Let's roll the tape.
And now the results...
SL65 Black Series - 1m07.134s
C63 Black Series - 1m06.917s
AMG GT Black Series - 59.743s
As expected, the AMG GT Black Series not only is the most powerful Black Series vehicle ever made but also the quickest because of its Nurburgring credentials. Exceptional for a road-legal GT3 car. It really is.
Because of the AMG GT Black Series' exceptional performance against the other two Black Series vehicles, it's time to reward this car with something gorgeous. So gorgeous, it makes me want to say "forget my husband, I'll go make money".
Finally, the AMG GT Black Series shows its true colors. Oh, Shuka-sama. You never fail to impress me. Shuka who? Shuka effing Hanazono! That's her! Sorry about that but hey, her look and feel suits its personality. It's got the impression of a seductive villainess from a steamy webtoon. Wait, what?
Steamy aside, our Shuka-sama prepares to unleash some unreasonable force against street racing veterans in reserve around what seems to be a re-enactment of Tokyo's Daikoku parking area.
Interested in this EventLab creation by someone named Mojo5290? Here's the share code: 117 535 418
Anyway, let's get this sideshow on the road.
This reminds me that I would make a webtoon out of this experience; Lady Shuka used unreasonable force with her AMG GT Black Series. That would make a great title for my potential webtoon masterpiece.
Having respect with the AMG GT Black Series, it's sad to see that the entire AMG lineup is AWD only, making this the last rear-wheel-drive AMG vehicle ever made. Of course, BMW's M division got rear-wheel-drive vehicles like the M2, the M3, and the M4, but they've ended up like they're the only ones in the yard. So sad.
Still, no regrets. I'm glad I got to experience the last rear-wheel-drive AMG vehicle ever made. Even Lady Shuka's impressed with it.
Auf Wiedersehein, rear-wheel-drive AMG cars like the AMG GT Black Series. You made us proud.
The Pagani Huayra and the W113 Mercedes 280SL are the highlights of the Forza Horizon 5 Community Choice's Dry Season playlist. Get your Pagoda air fresheners ready because these expired goods are going to be fresh.
First up is the Pagani Huayra, which I snagged after hitting the 20-point mark on the Dry Season Playlist.
The Pagani Huayra is the Zonda replacement named after Huayra-Tata, the god of wind from the Aymara legends. It made a world premiere at the 2011 Geneva Auto Salon in March. It is powered by a 6.0L Mercedes-AMG M158 V12 twin-turbo engine, producing over 700BHP and over 1,000Nm of torque. It can go 0-60 in 3.4 seconds, and flat-out, the Huayra blows away at 227 MPH (365kph). It is mated with a transverse sequential seven-speed gearbox with an AMT robotized system. The Huayra weighs 1,350kg, and it has a 44:56 weight distribution.
Lastly, the vintage Mercedes-Benz 280SL, which I snagged after hitting the 40-point mark on the Dry Season Playlist.
The W113-spec Mercedes-Benz SL, built from 1963 to 1971 with 48,912 units made, was one of the most iconic Mercedes vehicles in history. It was nicknamed Pagoda due to its slightly concave hardtop shaped like a pagoda.
Most models are equipped with a water-cooled inline-six cylinder engine with multi-port injection with the range-topping 280SL producing 170PS of power and 240Nm of torque. Gearboxes are offered with either a 4-speed manual, automatic, or a 5-speed manual. The front suspension has double wishbones, coil springs, and stabilizing bars while the rear has a swing axle, radius arms, compensating springs, and coil springs. Aside from that, parts of its body are made of aluminum to save weight.
It was the first sports car with a safety body that had a rigid passenger cell and designated crumple zones with impact-absorbing front and rear sections built into the structure.
In the spirit of community service, it's time to take these two expired goods on a quick drive with the Huayra taking on a handmade circuit made by a certain player while the 280SL takes on a Gauntlet-style rally course situated at Copper Canyon. Let's roll the tapes.
Mission accomplished for these two. Well done.
Next time, let's sample the Fiat Dino and the Spania GTA Spano in the final playlist of the Community Choice series update.
