Word on the street is that a new model of the Lucca A53 will be released in early 2026 and I know this because I recently had the opportunity to spend time with the machine at an event. 

A little context: I am the Brand Manager for Event Espresso Catering, a fully mobile café connecting people through excellent coffee. We have a long history in the specialty coffee industry and have been using the Lucca A53 for over a decade, thanks to our partnership with Clive Coffee in Portland. 

On a recent travel stint for Affirm, we were tasked with executing six events across the country in a single day (more on that later). It was an exhilarating logistical challenge, especially since we didn’t have equipment hubs in two of the cities we were scheduled to work in. 

In Seattle and New York, there was no local equipment to pick up and head straight to the event, normally a standard routine for our Brand Ambassadors. To meet this challenge head on, we had to phone a few friends. 

Fortunately, Clive Coffee is located in Portland. When Casey, our founder, reached out to Paul – her longtime sales rep – he had an exciting solution.

Clive Coffee is about to release an updated model of the Lucca A53 early next year, and they were looking for the right opportunity to put it to work in a real-life setting. When Casey called, Paul immediately saw this as the perfect chance to see how the updates performed in the hands of a professional barista.  

I flew into Portland, picked up my rental car, and went right over to Clive Coffee to meet Paul and get the rundown on the new model. Walking into Clive Coffee feels like stepping onto a barista’s playground. As you move through the space, every espresso machine gleams, ready for a demonstration at a moment's notice.  

They’ve curated every tool and grinder to match. Everything is sleek, modern, and impeccably displayed. The barista in me couldn’t help but gawk at the sheer variety each machine offers.

But the one machine that caught my attention immediately: the new Lucca A53 Pro.  

Paul found me there, studying its pristine reflection. He walked me through the updates: increased clearance between the drip tray and grouphead, a shorter steam wand repositioned to the right side with a lever instead of a turn-style knob, dedicated buttons for single, double, and manual shots, and the ability to accommodate single, double, and triple baskets. Lights were added beneath the grouphead and next to each button, making it feel like the machine could communicate with you. 

My favorite upgrade? The flexibility to use the machine in either tank mode or plumbed mode. 

Let’s be clear – the Lucca A53 is already a beloved machine. It’s a powerful Italian-made double boiler that performs beautifully in a commercial setting, and will be more than enough in your home. It pulls rich, full-bodied shots and is known for being reliable and easy to trouble shoot if needed.

Any minor inconveniences: a long steam wand, a tight space from the grouphead to the drip tray, you had to decide plumbed or tanked, a turn-style knob for your steam wand, even the steam wand being on the left could be a little awkward – were easy to overlook. Yet the new A53 Pro addresses and improves every detail of the model. 

Paul also generously included an Atom W 65 grinder, equipped with a weight-based dosing system that automatically dispenses the right weight of grinds every time. 

I arrived early at my event just to play around with the upgraded machine and grinder, quietly building anticipation among curious attendees. By the time the event officially started, a small crowd had already gathered.  

When I saw the first shot have a perfect seven-second drop, I knew everyone was in for something special. Every shot pulled during that two-hour window was consistent and high-quality, requiring zero adjustments. The espresso expressed all our intended flavor notes – bright and sweet, with hints of lemon, walnut, and chocolatey richness. I poured swans and dragons on every latte, and the excitement from the crowd was undeniable. 

Because I was using an automated grinder, and didn’t need to adjust my recipe or shot buttons, I was able to give undivided attention to the guests. It was barista-ing on easy mode, no doubt.

For longtime fans of the A53 model, be prepared, the steam wand is noticeably more powerful than previous models, especially if you’re using the machine frequently. I was surprised by the strength of the milk vortex and even splashed milk on my first few lattes while adjusting to the increased pressure. 

I don’t think I have any negative feedback to deliver, I just hope I made this wonderful machine proud. If you’re looking for an espresso machine that can be plumbed or tanked, with thoughtful accessibility upgrades suitable for home, office, or mobile use, the new Lucca A53 Pro should be on your radar. Reach out to Clive Coffee and tell Paul that Event Espresso sent you.