MOTORING: Mercedes-AMG CLS 53: Too lite, or just right?

There are two important aspects to the debut of the latest Mercedes-AMG CLS 53. First, it’s the third, all-new iteration of the car that pioneered the four-door coupé concept back in 2004. Second, it heralds the arrival of an all-new AMG engine.

The 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder motor is 90kg lighter, a lot more fuel efficient , and employs a raft of advanced technologies, including pairing the single turbocharger with an electrically powered supercharger. The AMG treatment goes beyond the engine, of course. In third-generation guise, the CLS is a sleek and commanding beast that is more visually balanced and aesthetically convincing than its forebears.

Lashings of glossy carbon-fibre detailing and swathes of hand-stitched leather are offset by the metallic finishes of the air vents and switchgear. Dual 12-inch colour screens deliver a panoramic, all-digital interface for both instrumentation and infotainment, with a vast array of user-selectable configurations.

On the track, the CLS 53 showed off immaculate composure, even when pushing into corners hard and carving up the apexes. The 4Matic+ all-wheel drive deserves much of the credit here: It seamlessly delivered just the right amount of traction, keeping the handling nice and tidy. Most of all, you don’t feel short-changed by that in-line 3.0-litre mill: There’s always plenty of oomph, and the shove from the turbo/compressor combo is tremendous.

Deon_Schoeman With current R/l and future not looking bright ! Why not a 12L V24 ?

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