Growing up in Los Angeles, I’ve spent my whole life in a car. And, much like the reality of people living in Dubai, the discouraging, immovable traffic prevents you from ever letting your four-wheeled machine fly. But occasionally (and by occasionally, I mean never) you get invited to a race track in Marbella where you’re strapped into a racing helmet, climb into a Mercedes-AMG GT 63 PRO 4Matic+, grip the wheel, and feel the thunderous power of what can only be described as German, automotive muscle.
With a 4.0 liter V8 turbo engine, optimised aerodynamics, improved cooling, and being able to leap from zero to 200 km/h in just 10.9 seconds, this driving experience is akin to being shot out of a cannon, a very expensive, shiny cannon.
The AMG ceramic composite brake system reduces weight and resists fading under heavy braking while simultaneously improving lap times, and when I was swerving around a sharp turn pushing 160, those really came in handy.
Exterior colour: MANUFAKTUR patagonia red metallic
Interior: Leather AMG black with red stiching
But as I drove through the scenic valleys of Spain on my way to the race track, I instead sat behind the wheel of the Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 4MATIC+ Cabriole (the car in the header image, and perhaps a conscious decision to deter me from flooring it alongside the mountain). Any less muscular, adrenalised, powerful? Hardly. Just perhaps a bit less speed demon and a bit more Don Draper.
Exterior colour: MANUFAKTUR alpine grey
Interior: Nappa leather black with grey stiching
The spacious four seater boasts a 3.0 litre six cylinder engine with twin turbocharging resulting in an output of 330 kw, all thanks to its exhaust turbocharger and electric compressor – the ultimate year round vehicle that packs as much motorised punch as you could ever need, and then some.
AMG’s signature A-shaped radiator grill alongside the sleek, full LED headlights honours the distinct features of the historic brand, signaling to everyone what type of car is approaching. As I drove this top-down beauty back into town from the racetrack, while scaling the steep mountainside, I encountered, what can only be described as horror-movie-like fog. When I mentioned this to the Mercedes team, they laughed and said, “We planned that, just so you can see how effective our fog lights are.” Mission accomplished.
Exterior colour: MANUFAKTUR patagonia red metallic
Interior: Leather AMG black with red stitching
The leather seats, the speakers, the touch screen, and the feeling of being strapped inside a luxurious, tailor made suit that just happens to be able to hit over 300 km/h is essentially nothing new for one of the most iconic car manufacturers of all time, but simply reaffirms what they are capable of, what we can expect for years to come, and the unparalleled excellence for which they are so universally celebrated.
As German techno pioneers Kraftwerk famously sang, “Wir fahren, fahren, fahren auf der Autobahn.”
