MERCEDES-AMG CLE 53 COUPÉ

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

- WORDS SAYANTAN DE PHOTOGRAPHY SAIDATTA NAIK

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.