Mercedes-AMG E53 4Matic+ Driven

We recently spent some time with the Mercedes-AMG E53 4Matic+. We consider this a spiritual successor to the very first car to shine the spotlight on AMG.

In 1971, two little known (at the time) engineers pitched up at the 24 Hours of Spa with the most unlikely racecar of the time. Hans Werner Aufrecht and Erhard Melcher had entered one of the toughest endurance races in the world with a limousine, similar to the red car picture above. It was unceremoniously dubbed the ‘red pig’ by fellow competitors, who reportedly could not stop laughing when they saw the large sedan among the ‘real’ racecars.

But 24 hours and 308 laps later, no one was laughing as Hans Heyer and Clemens Schickentanz drove the car to second place overall. The win would launch the AMG badge into automotive lore. These three letters still represent high performance machines based on Mercedes products. Although Herr Aufrecht and Melcher are no longer involved, the brand they created is in very good health under Mercedes-Benz ownership.

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Smart, not Shouty

The E53 saloon sits atop the current E-Class range. The performance variant is subtle in its design execution but there a number of cues to set it apart. First up is the AMG-specific radiator trim with vertical slats. Furthermore, the front front fenders are 11 mm wider on each side to accommodate larger wheels. A large central lower inlet directs the air to an additional front cooler. AMG-specific side skirts sit between massive alloys; 19-inch as standard and up to 21s as an option. A lip spoiler on the trunk lid and diffuser with quad exhaust outlets are the rear definers. The overall execution is muscular, but not shouty.

You can read about the history of the C-Class AMG by clicking these links: Part One, Part Two and Part Three.

That same, rather subdued treatment is carried over into the cabin. There are a set of figure-hugging chairs for the front occupants. There are other subtle reminders that this the AMG derivative. These include the flat-bottomed steering wheel, which carries bespoke drive-mode dials, and a smattering of carbon-fibre. The test unit had an optional third screen across facia sited ahead of the front passenger. Those who aren’t aware, would not know this is a high-performance sedan.

First Turbo Six

The E53 continues Mercedes-AMG’s current trend towards downsizing (much like the four-cylinder C63). It has, unlike its forebears, a turbocharged 3,0-litre six-cylinder inline engine. The petrol component also has an electrical partner. In unison the two deliver a peak of 450 kW of power and a maximum torque value of 750 N.m. The 120 kW/480 N.m electric motor is powered by a 28,6 kWh battery. As a result it can be driven for up to 100 km on battery power alone. In fact, it can be charged from a wall socket or charge box, which means you could handle the daily commute without using any fuel at all. Yes, the E53 is a PHEV.

But, since you are reading an AMG review, you don’t really care about battery-only range. What you really care about is performance stats. The E53 Hybrid saloon can blast from 0‑100 km/h in 3,8 seconds using the launch control function of the nine-speed automatic transmission. That sprint time is attainable, in part, to grip provided by the all-wheel-drive system. Top speed is electronically limited to 280 km/h with the optional AMG Driver’s Package.

On the Move

Since it is a hybrid, the Mercedes-AMG E53 4Matic+ always starts off in electric mode. This is pretty handy to leave ones office or home without letting anyone know you have. But we didn’t spend too much time in that ‘eco-friendly’ mode. We had the E53 for a week, and planned to drive it as much and as hard as we could. Clicking the rotary dial over into Sport or, better yet Sport+ awakens the car’s full potential. In addition, the alertness levels of the throttle, damping and transmission are all ramped up for quicker responses.

The E53 has plenty of punch, that is without question. Its hybridised powertrain delivers power in a seamless manner, there is zero hesitation from flooring the loud pedal to making haste towards the horizon. In fact, one passenger (an engineer who loves motoring and motorsport) commented at how effortlessly the large car pulled to seriously high speeds. And how unflustered and undramatic it felt. It’s real iron-fist-in-velvet-glove kind of performance.

No One-Trick Pony

The AMG E53 has a proper turn of speed in a straight line and delivers when the road ahead starts to snake. It’s not quite a sportscar in the twisties, don’t get us wrong, but it delivers a level of athleticism that is far better than a circa-two ton car has any right to. The active rear-wheel-steering system makes the E53 responsive in really tight corners while the all-wheel-drive set-up provides surefootedness that lets the driver open the gas without fearing for any unwanted tail-out antics. However, the power power split does favour the rear axle to provide the sensations of a RWD car, which is a neat trick.

Summary

In many ways the Mercedes-AMG E53 4Matic+ on review here is a spiritual successor to that very first AMG mentioned in the intro. It is based on a ‘regular’ Mercedes limousine but the speed merchants of Affalterbach have worked their magic to create a car that, in all honesty, has no right to be as fast and as capable as it is. The E53 is the latest in a long line of E-class AMGs that stretches back to the famous Hammer, a V8-packing W124. In between there have been rip-snorting E55s and E63s with various V8s and forms of forced induction. Dropping two cylinders may have diminished its bark a little, but it sure hasn’t reduced its bite.

Model: Mercedes-AMG E53 4Matic+
Price: R 2 514 203
Engine: 3,0-litre inline-six, turbopetrol hybrid
Transmission: nine-speed automatic, AWD
Max power: 430 kW
Max torque: 750 N.m
Top speed: 280 km/h
Fuel consumption: 9,2 L/100 km (11,0 L as reviewed)