2026 Mercedes-AMG CLE53 Coupe Edition R brings more equipment for less money

The Mercedes-AMG CLE53 Coupe Edition R is arriving in Australia in August, bringing styling and equipment upgrades, as well as a lower price than the standard CLE53 Coupe.

Priced at $159,900 before on-road costs, the CLE53 Coupe Edition R undercuts the regular CLE53 Coupe, which starts at $160,727 before on-road costs, despite offering additional standard equipment.

It takes the number of Edition R models in Mercedes-Benz Australia's showroom to four, joining the A35 Edition R, A45 Edition R+ and C43 Edition R+.

Mercedes-Benz Australia told CarExpert an Edition R Convertible is also being considered. The current CLE53 Convertible is priced from $176,527 before on-road costs.

The CLE replaced both the C-Class and E-Class coupes and convertibles in Mercedes-Benz's lineup, arriving in Australia in 2023 as a rival to the BMW 4 Series coupe and convertible range.

The local range opens with the CLE200 Coupe, priced from $105,327 before on-road costs, followed by the CLE300 Coupe from $126,727 before on-road costs. The CLE300 Convertible commands a $12,000 premium, with all three powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine.

Stepping up to the six-cylinder CLE53 Coupe Edition R brings a more aggressive AMG front bumper with additional side flicks, a gloss black rear bumper, and a larger rear lip spoiler.

The standard 20-inch alloy wheels have been replaced by matte black items with a machined outer edge, contrasting with the red AMG brake calipers.

They complement the existing AMG exterior enhancements fitted as standard to the CLE53, including AMG Night Package with its darkened radiator grille and dark chrome AMG badging.

The AMG Exterior Night Package II also carries over, adding high-gloss black mirror caps and window surrounds, plus black chrome tailpipe finishers.

There are no mechanical changes. Power continues to come from a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline six-cylinder petrol engine producing 330kW and 560Nm, driving all four wheels through a nine-speed automatic transmission for a claimed 0-100km/h time of 4.2 seconds.

The Edition R also retains AMG Ride Control suspension and rear-axle steering.

Inside, the Edition R gains the AMG Performance Seat Package, featuring heated AMG Performance front seats with four-way lumbar support trimmed in Nappa leather. Nappa leather is also used on the AMG Performance steering wheel, which features Microcut microfibre grips, while bright red Designo seatbelts add contrast.

Metal-structure trim, a metal-effect centre console, a head-up display, AMG Track Pace performance logging, and MBUX Navigation Premium via the 11.9-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen are also included.

A panoramic sliding sunroof, Burmester surround sound system, illuminated front door sills and puddle lights round out the standard equipment list.

Mercedes-Benz Australia sales fell 5.9 per cent during the first half of 2026. While BMW recorded a steeper 17.2 per cent decline, it still outsold Mercedes-Benz by 513 vehicles, recording 3317 deliveries.

Audi was the only one of the three German premium brands to post growth, with sales rising 19.6 per cent. However, with 1643 deliveries, it remained behind both Mercedes-Benz and BMW.

MORE: Explore the Mercedes-AMG CLE showroom