This is the new 443bhp Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 Coupe

Stonking looking thing, isn’t it? That’s significant, as we shall see. But first a moment on the CLE itself. It’s probably passed you by. It replaced both the C-Class coupe and E-Class coupe a few months back, equipped with a range of ordinary mild hybrid petrol engines and even a diesel or two.

But obviously Merc wasn’t going to leave it there. The outgoing C-Class coupe spawned one of our favourite ever AMGs, the C63 S coupe, complete with a 503bhp twin turbo V8. It rocked. And now… well, now there’s hope.

The car you’re looking at is the new Mercedes-AMG CLE 53. Under its bonnet sits a 3.0-litre straight six with mild hybrid, developing 443bhp and 442lb ft. It uses a single conventional exhaust gas turbocharger and another electrically driven compressor. That’s there for initial response, cutting lag, and also allows the exhaust blower to be bigger because it doesn’t need to respond so hard and fast. Boost pressure climbs from 1.1 to 1.5 bar.

A small electric motor is included, delivering up to 23bhp and 151lb ft, that’s not just helping with power, but assists with recuperation, sailing and stop-start.

Mated to a nine-speed automatic gearbox, the CLE 53 claims 0-62mph in 4.2secs and a 155mph limited top speed. Opt for the AMG Driver’s Pack and that climbs to 168mph.

There’s also a lot of other tech included: 4WD and 4WS with up to 2.5 degrees of rear-steering, adaptive dampers and huge configurability through the AMG Dynamics system. You can even disable the front axle for a full-house Drift mode.

And doesn’t it look great with those swollen arches? They’ve been blistered out 58mm at the front, 75mm at the rear and lend the 53 a stance not seen since, well, that C63 S coupe.

Which brings us round to the main point. You don’t go to all this effort for a 53. That’s Merc’s mid-range performance badge. You only do this if you’re also going to do a 63. A C63 Coupe with an uprated twin turbo straight six? Y’know, like a BMW M4?

Sounds good right? Obviously no comment from Merc at the moment, but having got its fingers burned with the poorly-received four-cylinder C63 saloon this would be a good way of making amends.

But that’s all for the future. Hopefully. For now we give you the CLE 53 – a signal that AMG is getting back on track.