Verdict
At RM603,141, the Lotus Evora undercuts the Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE by RM119,747 and gives the purer mechanical recipe: a 1,395-kg rear-drive coupe with a six-speed manual, 400 hp and a 300 km/h top speed. Both reach 100 km/h in 4.2 seconds, but the AMG CLE brings 443 hp, 560 Nm, all-wheel drive and a nine-speed dual-clutch automatic. For Malaysian use, its 420-litre boot, split-fold rear seats, 360-degree camera and seven airbags make it far easier to live with. The Evora is the lighter, more focused choice; the CLE is the more complete daily coupe.
Pick the Lotus Evora if a 1,395-kg rear-drive manual coupe and 300 km/h top speed matter more than boot space and driver-assistance equipment.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE if you want 560 Nm, all-wheel drive, seven airbags and a 420-litre boot in a 4.2-second coupe.
Key differences
- Price: Lotus Evora RM603,141; Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE RM722,888.
- Power and torque: Evora 400 hp and 410 Nm; AMG CLE 443 hp and 560 Nm.
- Transmission and drive: Evora six-speed manual, rear-wheel drive; AMG CLE nine-speed dual-clutch automatic, all-wheel drive.
- Kerb weight: Evora 1,395 kg; AMG CLE 2,000 kg.
- Boot space: Evora 160 litres; AMG CLE 420 litres.
- Safety airbags: Evora two; AMG CLE seven.
Evora
- 1,395 kg, 605 kg lighter than the AMG CLE.
- Six-speed manual with rear-wheel drive.
- 300 km/h top speed and 4.2-second 0-100 km/h time.
- Only 160 litres of boot space versus the AMG CLE's 420 litres.
- Two airbags versus seven, with no blind-spot monitoring or autonomous braking.
- Manual front seats and manual air-con instead of powered memory seats and dual-zone climate control.
AMG CLE
- 443 hp and 560 Nm with all-wheel drive.
- 420-litre boot and 50:50 split-folding rear seats.
- Seven airbags, autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring and a 360-degree camera.
- Costs RM119,747 more than the Evora.
- At 2,000 kg, it is 605 kg heavier than the Evora.
- 250 km/h top speed is 50 km/h lower than the Evora's.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM603,141✓ | RM722,888 |
| Body type | Coupe | Coupe |
| Segment | Sports Car | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM4,182 | RM2,128✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 24-valve DOHC, supercharged (Roots) with variable valve timing | 24-valve DOHC, Turbochaged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift |
| Capacity | 3,456 cc | 2,999 cc |
| Horsepower | 400 hp at 7,000 rpm | 443 hp at 5,800 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 410 Nm at 3,500 rpm | 560 Nm at 560 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | V 6 | Inline 6 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore × Stroke | 94 mm × 83 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 10 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 20 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 205 Nm |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Manual | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | — | AMG Speedshift TCT 9G automatic transmission |
| Gears | 6 | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Mercedes-Benz |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.2 seconds | 4.2 seconds |
| Rated Economy | 9.7 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 300 km/h✓ | 250 km/h |
| Co2 | 225 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,385 mm | 4,853 mm |
| Width | 1,972 mm | 2,042 mm |
| Height | 1,229 mm | 1,434 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,575 mm | 2,875 mm |
| Weight | 1,395 kg | 2,000 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 60 litres | 65 litres |
| Doors | 2 | 2 |
| Seats | 4 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 160 litres | 420 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/35R19 | 265/35R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 275/35R20 | 295/30R20 |
| Spare Tyre | — | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Super Sport | Continental SportContact 7 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | United Kingdom (CBU) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Double Wishbones | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" 10-spoke Alloy | 20" AMG Y-spoke Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 20" 10-spoke Alloy | 20" AMG Y-spoke Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Hydraulic Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Bilstein high performance gas dampers, Eibach coaxial coil springs, Lotus DPM with Sport mode. Front brakes: Ventilated, Perforated Disc (4-pot AP Racing). Rear brakes: Ventilated, Perforated Disc (4-pot AP Racing) | AMG Ride Control Suspension with Adaptive Dampers |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 2 (Driver and Passenger) | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Driver's Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seat Belts | 4 Three-point | 4 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on two rear passenger seats | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Bi-Xenon Projector | Digital Light Matrix LEDs |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Powered Front Seats with Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | Fixed | 50:50 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Manual Air-con | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear AC Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Boot | 1 Front, 2 USB-C Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 7" Alpine DVD/MP3 Player with 4 Speakers and 2x50W amplifier and subwoofer | 11.9" Touchscreen Mercedes-Benz User Experience with Voice Control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 15-speaker Burmester Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Two Windows | Two Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Manual Key, Push Start | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Remote Control Activation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | — | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | — | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, with 360 Surround View Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | — | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 3 years✓ | 2 years |
| Warranty Notes | 2-year free service | — |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used Evora & AMG CLE for sale
Evora vs AMG CLE FAQ
Is the Lotus Evora or Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE better?
The AMG CLE is better for daily Malaysian use, with 420 litres of boot space, seven airbags, all-wheel drive and driver-assistance systems. Choose the Evora for its 1,395-kg weight, six-speed manual and 300 km/h top speed.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE costs RM722,888, which is RM119,747 more than the RM603,141 Lotus Evora.
Which is quicker from 0-100 km/h?
Neither has an advantage on the claimed sprint: both the Lotus Evora and Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE take 4.2 seconds from 0-100 km/h. The AMG CLE has more output at 443 hp and 560 Nm versus 400 hp and 410 Nm.
