This is the new Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 Cabriolet, a 443bhp performance express

So, deep breath one and all, and welcome to the new Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 4Matic+ Cabriolet. No, it's not a catchy name, though AMG's saved that punch for the drivetrain.

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That's right, it comes with a 5.3-litre V8! Just kidding. It actually comes fitted with a blown 3.0-litre straight-six petrol, whose turbo gets an electric compressor, and whose flanks are also fed by a 48V starter-generator giving an additional bit of e-boost.

Which all adds up to 443bhp and 413lb ft of torque, rising to 442lb ft (for 10 seconds) with aforementioned overboost. Together with a nine-speed AMG gearbox and fully variable four-wheel-drive, this 53 is able to sprint from 0-62mph in 4.4s (or 4.2s with the optional Dynamic Plus pack) and run on to a limited top speed of 155mph.

There are big brakes to stop it, a quicker response time from the '9G' gearbox to better harness that power, and a range of AMG modes - slippery, comfort, sport, sport+ - to better keep it all pointing in the right way. Or not. Because while the 4WD is constantly shifting power around to best suit the conditions, even decoupling the front axle under low loads, it completely disengages the front in something called 'drift mode'. Yeah, us neither.

The AMG Dynamic Plus pack - an option - gives you goodies like a 'race start' function for quicker 0-62s, a 'race' mode and red brake calipers, among other things. Speaking of other things, the CLE 53 gets wider, flared arches, a wider track front and back, bigger 19in wheels as standard, LED headlights, an AMG-ified front and rear, and of course, four exhaust tips.

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The optional styling pack adds yet more menace, in the shape of skirt flicks and a rear spoiler. Inside, there's ambient lighting, Merc's 12.3in freestanding and 11.9in driver displays, specially coated leather seats to stop you sticking to them in the summer (Merc says: keeps them 12 degrees cooler), and some microfibre inserts.

Oh, and there's a folding fabric roof, able to open or close in 20 seconds at up to 37mph, which eats a bit into the boot space (295 litres with the roof open, 385 litres with it shut). But you can fold the seats down for more. Not that you ever will, because this is a handsome, convertible Mercedes with an unpunchy name and a very punchy drivetrain.

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