ACKO Drive Awards 2026: Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 Coupé Wins 2026 Performance Car

It’s no surprise that the best performance cars in India are also some of the most expensive. This category is for no-holds-barred powerhouses that are the most fun to drive. The nominees for this field were all from two high-end German manufacturers – we had the BMW M340i, BMW M4 CS, Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 Coupé, and Mercedes-Maybach SL 680. 

What swayed our judges most was of course its power – with 442 bhp @ 5800 - 6100 rpm and 560 Nm of peak torque at your disposal, you can race from zero to 100kmph in 4.2 seconds. The 2999 cc inline-six with a 9-speed AT gearbox made this sportscar a dream to zoom around the Buddh International Circuit where our jury round is held each year. As a driver, you’re fully in control with plenty of controls right at your fingertips for things like drive modes and dynamics. Responsiveness is a dream, the suspension is brilliant, and even cornering is crisp and precise. 

Of course the souped-up CLE was also chosen as our winner in part due to its aggressive styling, impressive cabin tech, and safety features. This might not be the most practical family car, and it is obscenely expensive, but it made our jury feel like no other.