The Mercedes-AMG E 53 has been revived as a hot plug-in hybrid with an aggressive new look, a wide-reaching chassis makeover and as much power as the old V8-powered E 63. The hot four-wheel-drive E-Class, introduced in 2016 to sit below the range-topping E 63 super-sedan, continues with a 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged straight-six, but a new EV motor gives it a chunky power boost of up to 612hp.
- New E 53 gets 449hp 6-cyl engine and 163hp electric motor totalling 585hp
- AMG Dynamic Plus package adds more power; combined output is 612hp
- Has electric-only range of 100km from a 21.2kWh battery
New Mercedes-AMG E 53 powertrain
On its own, the engine produces 449hp – nearly 20hp more than before – with up to 163hp coming from the electric motor, which is integrated into the 9-speed torque converter gearbox. That gives a combined output, in normal running, of 585hp and 750Nm, giving a claimed 0-100kph time of 4 seconds for the sedan and 4.1 seconds for the estate.
The optional ‘AMG Dynamic Plus package’ liberates the full whack of 612hp when the driver engages 'race start', which optimises off-the-line performance and trims the 0-100kph time to 3.8 seconds for the sedan; the estate is, again, just 0.1 second slower. It also removes the 250kph speed limiter and lets the E 53 continue on to its natural 280kph maximum.
The PHEV is equipped with a 21.2kWh battery (usable), which claims an electric-only range of up to 100km and can be topped up with a 11kW domestic charger in around 6 hours. A 60kW fast charger comes as an optional extra to get it from 10-80 percent in 20 minutes.
The battery can be topped up at rates of up to 120kW by the car's regenerative braking system – 32kW more than the new Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid. Recuperation levels can be changed via paddles behind the steering wheel when in hybrid mode.
Electric-only driving is possible at speeds below 140kph, and there is a battery hold mode – one of seven different drive settings – which ensures there is enough juice for prolonged EV-only driving.
New Mercedes-AMG E 53 brakes, suspension
The E-Class’ chassis has been given the full AMG treatment too, bringing additional bracing on the front and rear axle for extra stiffness, a front track width that’s increased by 11mm, and new twin-chamber suspension dampers that are said to have “clearly noticeable” changes in their various settings: Comfort, Sport and Sport Plus. The braking system is also said to have been optimised to work with the hybrid powertrain’s energy recuperation.
New Mercedes-AMG E 53 interior, exterior
Styling changes over the standard E-Class include an illuminated AMG-specific grille, flared front wheel arches to accommodate the wider track, larger air intakes, a prominent rear diffuser, ducktail spoiler and circular quad exhausts. To signal its extra grunt, the AMG Dynamic Plus package adds various performance-flavoured cues, including red calipers for its beefier brakes and a microfibre-wrapped steering wheel.
Inside, the E 53 gets body-hugging performance seats trimmed in synthetic leather as standard, bespoke wood trim and an AMG steering wheel, and a 12.3-inch driver's display and 14.4-inch infotainment screen. Mercedes' full-width Superscreen is available as an option, giving the front passenger their own infotainment interface with access to games, streaming services and various in-car settings.
Mercedes-AMG E 53 India details
In India, we have the previous Mercedes-AMG E 53 4Matic+ Cabriolet on sale at Rs 1.3 crore (ex-showroom, India); the sedan version was also launched in India in 2021, though it is no longer available. While the new E 53 may come to India in sedan form, the estate version is unlikely to make its way here.
Also see:
Mercedes Maybach Vision Ultimate Luxury high-riding sedan axed
We see India's growth coming from Tier 2, Tier 3 markets: Mercedes' region overseas head
Going all-electric a better strategy for India than hybrids: Mercedes Benz