Larger than the last C-Class coupe and with more legroom than the previous E-Class coupe that is also replaces, the CLE brings a spacious and practical two-door four-seater proposition to the luxury coupe market.

With its long doors that make entering and exiting easy, the cabin opens up to a comfortable and classy environment, dominated by a welcoming and familiar dashboard that seems almost identical to the related W206 C-Class sedan’s set-up.

There is no shortage of equipment in the CLE, with a head-up display, an electronic instrument display, an 11.9-inch touchscreen as part of Mercedes’ ‘MBUX’ multimedia system, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, digital radio, 64-colour ambient cabin lighting, Burmester surround sound audio (with Dolby Atmos), wireless device charging, heated and electrically operated front seats, sat nav, powered sunroof, full stop/go adaptive cruise control, dual-zone climate control, a 360-degree camera and more. Going the CLE 300 4Matic ushers in all-wheel drive (AWD).

The AMG CLE 53 4Matic+, meanwhile, also boasts AWD, and then adds a wider body and tracks, different bonnet and grille, an AMG body kit with 'Night Package' features, adaptive LED headlights, 20-inch alloy wheels, performance telemetry data, four-wheel steering, adaptive dampers and more.

The CLE200 and CLE300 4Matic are powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine with mild-hybrid assistance in the form of a 48-volt integrated starter generator (ISG).

The CLE200 delivers 150kW of power and 320Nm of torque, through to the rear wheels via a nine-speed auto transmission, while the CLE300 4Matic ups outputs with 190kW/400Nm channelled to all four wheels. The ISG can add up 17kW/205Nm of additional boost when required.

Meanwhile, the Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 4Matic+ brings in a 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder turbo-petrol engine with a big single, 1.5-bar turbo augmented with an electric compressor as part of that 48-volt 17kW/205Nm integrated starter-generator (ISG). System total outputs are 330kW and 560Nm, but up to 600Nm is possible thanks to a 12-second overboost feature.

Drive is sent to all four wheels via a nine-speed torque converter automatic transmission, while the 4Matic+ varies torque from 50:50 front/rear to 100 per cent rearwards.

The Mercedes-AMG CLE offers a traditional four-seater coupe layout, with supple yet supportive front sports seats. These have heating and electric adjustment, including for lumbar support.

The back row consists of a pair of seats with a fixed cushion but a split/fold backrest, that allows for longer loads to be placed from the boot inside the cabin when these are dropped down.

The Mercedes-Benz CLE 200 can accelerate from zero to 100km/h in 7.4 seconds, on the way to a top speed of 240km/h.

The Mercedes-Benz CLE 300 4Matic version can accelerate from zero to 100km/h in 7.4 seconds, on the way to an electronically-governed top speed of 250km/h.

The Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 4Matic+, meanwhile, can accelerate from zero to 100km/h in just 4.0 seconds flat, on the way to a governed top speed of 250km/h.

The Mercedes-Benz CLE 200 averages 7.2L/100km, which translates to a over 915km of range from the 65-litre tank filled with 95 RON premium unleaded petrol.

The Mercedes-Benz CLE 300 4Matic averages 7.4L/100km, which means a range of 890km from the 65-litre tank filled with 95 RON premium unleaded petrol.

Finally, the Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 4Matic+ averages 14.6L/100km, which translates to only around 480km between refills of the 70L tank.