Six-cylinder ’53’ seems ultimately set to be joined by a V8 ’63’.

FROM four to six, with an eight still to come - that’s the emergent cylinder count strategy for the successor to the two-door C-Class and E-Class models, now into its second act.

Already representing in four-cylinder hardtop coupe and cabriolet formats, the CLE has now been announced in the lower of two performance themes from AMG, so far just in hardtop form.

The $164,800 AMG CLE53 stands as a single stop successor to the six-cylinder AMG versions of the C-Class and E-Class coupes, but is an intermediary in the Affalterbach tuning firm’s strategy, with an upcoming AMG CLE63 coming.

The latter is expected to retain V8 power rather than switching to the controversial four-cylinder plug-in hybrid system found in the C63 sedan. Potential power and torque output sremain under wraps.

The AMG CLE53, meantime, takes a a 330kW/560Nm 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six engine married to a 48 volt hybrid system and a nine-speed torque-converter automatic transmission, with Mercedes-AMG's 4Matic Plus all-wheel drive system.

The drivetrain has facility for a 15-second overboost to 600Nm, while the mild-hybrid system's integrated starter generator can momentarily add up to 17kW and 205Nm boost when accelerating.

Mercedes says the car will achieve 0-100kmh in 4.0 seconds flat.

The engine has an exhaust gas turbocharger and an electric compressor for a 0.4 bar increase in boost pressure to 1.5 bar for a more responsive feel.

The front and rear track are wider than those for the CLE four-cylinder product, which spans from a $109,300 rear-drive ‘200’ series with 150kW/320Nm to 190kW/400Nm 4Matic ‘300’ in $126,700 Coupe and $10k dearer cabriolet.

The NZ-specification cars being identical to those going into Australia means the AMG Dynamic Plus package optional elsewhere becomes standard.

Styling changes include 20-inch alloy wheels, an AMG bodykit, front wheel arch ventilation, a rear lip spoiler, and four exhaust outlets.

It also adds rear-axle steering, adaptive suspension, speed-sensitive steering and larger front and rear brakes.

There are options, starting with a $2100 Plus Package that adds ventilated, multi-contour front seats with massaging, memorised parking function and interior fragrance.

The $5400 AMG Performance Seat Package delivers AMG Performance front bucket seats. The most expensive accessory is the $8900 Carbon Package, provisioning carbon-fibre front splitter, mirror housings, side sill panel inserts, trim strips, and spoiler lip, a carbon-fibre AMG Performance steering wheel and matching carbon-fibre interior trim.