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Hindustan Times
16 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
The Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 Coupe will pack 443 bhp. Here's why you should be interested…
Mercedes-Benz is gearing up to expand its performance lineup in India with the launch of the new AMG CLE 53 Coupe on August 12. Following the introduction of the CLE 300 Cabriolet, the new Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 Coupe will be the second CLE model for the Indian market, blending aggressive design, high-performance engineering, and a tech-rich interior. Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 Coupe: Design The CLE 53 Coupe is a two-door performance model featuring familiar AMG styling cues. It comes with the Panamericana grille, flared fenders, and quad exhaust tips. The car sits on 19-inch alloy wheels as standard, with 20-inch wheels available as an option. Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 Coupe: Cabin and features Inside, the CLE 53 Coupe includes an AMG-specific three-spoke steering wheel, a 12.3-inch digital driver's display, and a centrally mounted 11.9-inch touchscreen in a portrait layout. The interior combines Alcantara and leather upholstery, with contrast stitching and carbon fibre trim, offering a mix of sportiness and premium materials. Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 Coupe: Engine and performance Under the hood, the car uses a 3.0-litre, twin-turbo inline-six engine paired with a 48V mild-hybrid system. It produces 443 bhp and 560 Nm of torque, mated to a nine-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The 4Matic+ all-wheel-drive system enables the coupe to accelerate from 0 to 100 kmph in 4.2 seconds. The top speed is limited to 250 kmph, but can be increased to 270 kmph with an optional package. Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 Coupe: Segment positioning The CLE 53 Coupe will effectively fill the gap left by the now-discontinued C-Class and E-Class Coupes in India. Positioned above the CLE 300 Cabriolet, it will join the broader AMG lineup aimed at buyers interested in higher-performance models from the brand. Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 Coupe: Replacing the C and E Coupes The CLE 53 Coupe is expected to replace the discontinued C-Class and E-Class coupe models in India, serving as a new, consolidated offering for buyers looking for a high-performance, luxury two-door. Once launched, it will strengthen the Mercedes-AMG portfolio in India and offer a compelling option for enthusiasts seeking performance with everyday usability. Check out Upcoming Cars in India 2025, Best SUVs in India. First Published Date:
Mint
20 hours ago
- Mint
Mercedes, Porsche Cut Forecasts as US Tariffs Hammer German Cars
Mercedes-Benz Group AG and Porsche AG scaled back their profit expectations for the year, underscoring the toll President Donald Trump's trade war is taking on some of Europe's largest luxury-car makers. The two German manufacturers on Wednesday flagged the twin pressures of new US tariffs and intensifying competition in China, where an electric-vehicle price war is undermining demand for pricier models. Mercedes now expects its carmaking margin to slide as low as 4%, from at least 6% previously, as the duties weigh on pricing and sales. Porsche, which lacks a US factory, cut its outlook for the third time this year after Trump's deal on Sunday with the European Union slapped 15% tariffs on autos imported from the bloc. Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings Plc also walked back forecasts on Wednesday, a day after Stellantis NV warned that the US duties will weigh on the Jeep maker's already struggling North American business. The mounting trade barriers are adding to a structural shift in China, where a fierce EV price war led by local brands including BYD Co. is eroding margins. Porsche and Mercedes have struggled to gain traction in the world's biggest auto market with their more premium models like the Taycan and the EQS, the battery-powered version of Mercedes' flagship S-Class limousine. Meanwhile, Chinese automakers such as BYD and Geely are pushing into Europe's stagnant car market. 'We continue to face significant challenges around the world,' Porsche Chief Executive Officer Oliver Blume said. 'And this is not a storm that will pass.' The sports-car maker controlled by Volkswagen AG is trying to get back on its feet by replacing several top managers, slashing costs further — including through job cuts — and adding more combustion-engine and plug-in hybrid models. The US recently overtook China as Porsche's single biggest market, but the company has no local factory and imports all of the cars it sells there from Europe. One of several options being considered as part of parent Volkswagen's US production expansion is final assembly of Porsche models there, Bloomberg previously reported. Mercedes plans to shift production of the GLC SUV to the US to offset the charges. For Mercedes, the headwinds are undermining a strategy initiated in 2022 to bolster profitability by shifting further upmarket. The company is prioritizing its most lucrative offerings — such as Maybach limousines, AMG performance models and the G-Wagon — while scaling back lower-margin entry-level cars like the compact A-Class. But the US duties and the poor China performance are weighing on Mercedes' pricing and sales, and the company warned that group revenue for 2025 will come in significantly below last year's level. In the second quarter, Mercedes' automaking margin dropped to 5.1% — well below levels associated with the luxury push started by CEO Ola Källenius. The company also flagged weaker demand for vans and declining revenue in its mobility services division as drags on performance. Mercedes shares declined as much as 2% in Frankfurt. The stock is down around 1% this year. Porsche rose 2.3% as of 10:12 a.m. local time as analysts pointed to better-than-expected revenue and cash flow. The company's shares are still down more than a fifth this year. Porsche flagged that its return on sales for the year could slide as low as 5%, having previously targeted at least 6.5%. The updated forecast includes the US tariff hit and roughly €1.3 billion of costs related to the brand's strategic reset. Mercedes and Porsche are among automakers most exposed to trade friction. They faced a 27.5% levy on vehicles exported from the EU to the US for much of the second quarter. Mercedes also exports SUVs built at its Alabama plant to China, where they incurred duties exceeding 100% before a mid-May trade truce reduced the rate to about 35%. The German company earlier this year withdrew its guidance in response to Trump's trade moves and on Wednesday reinstated it. Without the impact of tariffs, Mercedes' carmaking margin would remain within the prior 6% to 8% guidance range, the company said. Profitability also got hit by restructuring measures, including a voluntary redundancy program for back-office staff and the sale of its van operations in Argentina. With assistance from Jamie Nimmo and Craig Trudell. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Mint
a day ago
- Mint
Mercedes Sees Earnings Drop Over Tariffs, China Competition
Mercedes-Benz Group AG reinstated guidance at a lower level, citing pressure from President Donald Trump's tariffs and tough competition in China, where local brands are dominating on electric vehicles. The German manufacturer now expects a carmaking margin of as low as 4% this year, below the at least 6% it had projected before withdrawing its outlook due to Trump's trade moves. The duties are weighing on prices and sales, and Mercedes warned that group revenue will come in significantly below last year's level. The mounting trade hurdles add to a deeper structural challenge in China, where a fierce EV price war led by domestic automakers is hurting margins. Mercedes has struggled to gain traction there with its more expensive models like the EQS, the battery-powered version of its flagship S-Class limousine. The likes of BYD Co. are also expanding in Europe's stagnant auto market. Mercedes' carmaking margin halved to 5.1% in the second quarter after unit sales fell 9%. The company also cited significantly lower demand for vans and declining revenue for its mobility business. The luxury-car maker is among companies heavily exposed to tariffs. Mercedes faced 27.5% in levies on cars shipped from the European Union to the US for much of the second quarter. It also exports sport utility vehicles made at its Alabama plant to China, where they faced local levies well above 100% early last quarter before a mid-May trade truce lowered them to roughly 35%.
