The Mercedes-AMG CLE53 Coupe Edition R reaches Australian showrooms in August with fresh styling touches, expanded standard equipment and a lower price than the regular CLE53 Coupe model.

Listed at $159900 before on-road costs, the CLE53 Coupe Edition R undercuts the standard CLE53 Coupe that opens at $160727 before on-road costs while including more equipment as standard.

This brings the total number of Edition R variants in the Mercedes-Benz Australia range to four, alongside the A35 Edition R, A45 Edition R+ and C43 Edition R+.

Mercedes-Benz Australia indicated that an Edition R Convertible version is also under consideration. The existing CLE53 Convertible opens from $176527 before on-road costs.

The CLE replaced both the C-Class and E-Class coupes and convertibles in the Mercedes-Benz lineup, reaching Australia in 2023 to compete with the BMW 4 Series coupe and convertible.

The local lineup begins with the CLE200 Coupe from $105327 before on-road costs, followed by the CLE300 Coupe from $126727 before on-road costs. The CLE300 Convertible carries a $12000 premium, with all three powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine.

Moving up to the six-cylinder CLE53 Coupe Edition R introduces a more assertive AMG front bumper with extra side elements, a gloss black rear bumper and an enlarged rear lip spoiler.

The standard 20-inch alloy wheels give way to matte black versions featuring a machined outer edge that contrasts with the red AMG brake calipers.

These wheels pair with the existing AMG exterior upgrades already standard on the CLE53, such as the AMG Night Package with its darkened radiator grille and dark chrome AMG badging.

The AMG Exterior Night Package II continues unchanged, incorporating high-gloss black mirror caps and window surrounds along with black chrome tailpipe finishers.

No mechanical alterations appear. Power still comes from a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline six-cylinder petrol engine delivering 330kW and 560Nm, sent to all four wheels via a nine-speed automatic transmission for a claimed 0-100km/h sprint of 4.2 seconds.

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

Inside, the Edition R adds the AMG Performance Seat Package with heated AMG Performance front seats offering four-way lumbar support in Nappa leather. Nappa leather also covers the AMG Performance steering wheel that includes Microcut microfibre grips, while bright red Designo seatbelts provide contrast.

Metal-structure trim, a metal-effect centre console, a head-up display, AMG Track Pace performance logging and MBUX Navigation Premium through the 11.9-inch portrait touchscreen complete the additions.

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

Mercedes-Benz Australia sales dropped 5.9 per cent in the first half of 2026. Although BMW posted a sharper 17.2 per cent decline, it still outsold Mercedes-Benz by 513 vehicles with 3317 deliveries.

Audi was the sole German premium brand to record growth, rising 19.6 per cent. Yet with 1643 deliveries it stayed behind both Mercedes-Benz and BMW.