“This year has been a year of TEV (Top-End Vehicle) launches. We promised eight launches for the year, and this is the eighth one. That doesn’t mean that our launch story ends here. For the first time ever, all eight have been top-end vehicles,” said Santosh Iyer, Managing Director & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India.
Explaining the appeal of the new AMG, Iyer said it combined “the agility of a C-Class with the comfort and luxury of an E-Class — perfect for both the track and daily driving.”
The coupé is powered by a comprehensively upgraded 3.0-litre M 256M inline six-cylinder engine with double turbocharging, producing 449 hp and 560 Nm of torque (briefly 600 Nm with over boost), allowing it to sprint from 0–100 km/h in 4.2 seconds. An integrated starter-generator adds another 23 hp and 205 Nm for short bursts, while the AMG Speedshift TCT 9G transmission and fully variable AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive ensure peak performance across varied conditions.
The model also comes with AMG Ride Control suspension with adaptive damping, rear-axle steering, and five AMG Dynamic Select driving programmes. Inside, it features the latest MBUX infotainment system with AMG-specific displays, Artico/Microcut sports seats, and a flat-bottom AMG Performance steering wheel.
Brendon Sissing, Vice-President, Sales & Marketing, highlighted the role of Mercedes-Benz Financial Services in the brand’s growth. “We started with a ₹6,000 crore portfolio as a capital financier. Today, we stand at ₹13,500 crore. The key was sticking to our disciplines, especially customer centricity — integrating processes and systems,” he said.
Iyer acknowledged that the company’s financial arm was a key pillar of Mercedes-Benz India’s success.
On the sidelines of the launch, Iyer spoke about the top-end vehicle market and the recent India–UK FTA developments. Edited excerpts:
On deliveries and waiting periods
We’re opening bookings for the AMG CLE 53 4MATIC+ Coupé today across all dealerships nationwide. Deliveries will begin in a couple of days with the arrival of the first lot. For TEVs such as AMG and Maybach, the waiting period is still around 6–8 months. That’s the average. I don’t see that changing — for hot-selling cars, allocation is based on profitability, and these models are very competitively priced for the market.
On whether the India–UK FTA could lower luxury car prices
Even if the FTA happens, it’s not that the prices of these cars will drop. Some people create unnecessary hype without understanding the business. They claim ‘car prices will come down by 40%.’ They just use a calculator — take a ₹100 car, divide, add, subtract — and say that’s the price. If it were that simple, none of us would be needed to price cars.
On the focus on top-end models in 2025
In the entry segment, we have cars, but we don’t compete on price. We could reduce prices, but that’s not our strategy. The top-end customer buys the product, not just the badge, whereas the entry-level customer often buys for the badge and is okay with a stripped-down car. We don’t want to compete there. We want genuine Mercedes customers who value the product, otherwise we risk diluting our luxury appeal and brand value.
On changes in buyer profiles for AMGs
These are cars you can even take to your office. Many customers who would typically buy a GLE or GLS (priced around ₹1.3–1.4 crore) are shifting to these coupés. The next generation is also more interested in such models — they drive themselves and value the driving experience.