MERCEDES-AMG CLE 53 COUPÉ

Is the new AMG sport coupé a fire-breathing dragon or a bearded dragon?

- SAYANTAN DE

The streamlining of the Mercedes-Benz lineup means that the C-Class coupé and the E-Class coupé both got the axe, to be replaced by this—the CLE Coupé (and the same holds true for the convertibles).

We are getting the AMG version only, and this is just the second-ever worldwide appearance of the 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged straight-six in AMG-fied edition in a two-door body style, and the first such occurrence in India. Compared to the fire-breathing V8 AMGs that we know and love, both in naturally aspirated and turbocharged form, does the CLE 53 AMG, with its straight-six, has what it takes to recreate the magic and the terror? We shall find out, or die trying.

We received the media unit on a cloudy, overcast day. However, it came painted in a shade of yellow that Mercedes-Benz has dubbed the 'Sun Yellow,' and it managed to brighten up the whole neighbourhood. People stopped to look at it, smiled at it, and the more exuberant of the passersby came for a selfie as it was waiting for the driver, a hunkered-down beast of a machine, full of purpose. The proportions of the coupé body are excellent, which hides the size of the machine really well in photos. This big bruiser of a yellow coupé makes the Panamericana grille seem subtle in comparison! The perfect proportions continue to the side, particularly the ratio of the length of the bonnet to the cabin, which feels like it is in accordance with the golden ratio. The wide haunches at the rear, coupled with an aggressive-looking rear diffuser and the small lip spoiler on the bootlid, complete the look. I would like to note my weakness for the modern AMG wheel design, intricate and many-spoked—I feel like if the iconic BBS RS were to be redesigned today, it would look similar to the ones on the CLE 53.