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2022 Mercedes-AMG CLS 53 facelift unveiled, Australian launch due late 2021

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG CLS 53 has received its mid-life facelift, with first Australian deliveries slated for the fourth quarter of 2021 (October to December inclusive).


Mirroring its standard Mercedes-Benz sibling, updates to the CLS 53 – the sole Mercedes-AMG variant available with the third-generation CLS – centre around a revised exterior, with a reworked front-end comprising a reshaped lower bumper and AMG's signature Panamericana vertical slatted grille.

The window surrounds and mirror caps can be optioned in gloss black with the optional AMG Night Package, while a new Nappa leather-wrapped steering wheel features inside the cabin, with a pair of rotary selectors for changing key vehicle dynamics functions.

Two new optional packages are now available: AMG Night Package II and AMG Dynamic Plus Package.

The former adds a black grille and badging, while the latter adds red brake calipers with AMG lettering, an AMG Performance steering wheel wrapped in Nappa leather or Nappa leather/microfibre, and a Race driving mode featuring an additional Drift profile shared with the facelifted E53 range.

The AMG-badged CLS benefits from the same array of technologies introduced on the regular model in recent months, including a new dual 12.3-inch MBUX infotainment setup, and active driver assistance features including autonomous emergency braking with support for intersections, and semi-autonomous traffic-jam assist.

European buyers at launch can opt for a special Limited Edition variant, limited to just 300 units on the Continent, which adds red-accented, race-inspired side stripes, finished in metallic dark grey on Cashmere White Magno vehicles, or black on Selenite Grey Magno examples.

The AMG Night Package, AMG Night Package II and AMG Dynamic Plus packages are all standard on the Limited Edition, as is insulated privacy glass, puddle light projection, 20-inch black wheels, two-tone black/silver Nappa leather upholstery, carbon-fibre trim, a Nappa leather/microfibre-trimmed steering wheel, and red contrast stitching.

Powering the updated CLS 53 4Matic+ is the same 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six petrol engine as before, sending 320kW and 520Nm to all four wheels through a nine-speed torque-converter automatic transmission.

It's assisted by an electric compressor that spools up the turbocharger at low rpms when traditional exhaust gases are insufficient, along with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system capable of both shutting off the engine when coasting to a stop to improve efficiency, or adding an additional 16kW/250Nm for short periods under hard acceleration.

Paired to the nine-speed automatic is a fully-variable AMG Performance 4Matic+ all-wheel-drive system, while multi-mode AMG Ride Control+ adaptive dampers suspend the car's 20-inch wheels.

Mercedes-AMG claims a 0-100km/h sprint time of 4.5 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 250km/h in standard guise, with the AMG Driver's Package increasing it to 270km/h.

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG CLS 53 4Matic+ will arrive in Australian showrooms in the fourth quarter of 2021. Local pricing and specifications will be announced closer to launch.

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Alex Misoyannis

Alex Misoyannis has been writing about cars since 2017, when he started his own website, Redline. He contributed for Drive in 2018, before joining CarAdvice in 2019, becoming a regular contributing journalist within the news team in 2020. Cars have played a central role throughout Alex’s life, from flicking through car magazines at a young age, to growing up around performance vehicles in a car-loving family.

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