The all-new Mercedes-AMG E53 Hybrid arrives and still has all six cylinders for now despite electrification.
The AMG line may be going through a downsizing of engines, what with the new C63 arriving with just 4 cylinders, but it looks like the E53 is escaping the trend for now. Mercedes-Benz officially released details on the new E53 Hybrid 4MATIC+ and confirmed that despite the electrification, it still fires on all six cylinders.
The Mercedes-AMG E53 model is only a couple of generations old, entering service when the brand reintroduced the inline-6 motor just a few years ago. Thankfully, it’s still around to give that straight six a few more years of service, though in plug-in hybrid form. In Europe, this performance model will be available in saloon and estate form factors with just a mild difference in energy efficiency thanks to the difference in weight and aerodynamics.
Mercedes-AMG E53 Performance
The 3.0L six-cylinder inline engine is mated to a permanently excited 120kW/480Nm E-synchronous motor for a total of 585 horsepower and 750Nm of torque. With RACE START, the output is temporarily increased to 612 horsepower. 0-100km/h can be dispatched in just 3.8 seconds when conditions are right and the optional AMG Dynamic Plus package is paid for and top speed is limited to 280km/h. On pure electricity, the car can be driven at speed of up to 140km/h.
The electric motor is nestled between the petrol engine nad the 9-speed AMG Speedshift automatic transmission. A 400 volt battery with 28.6 kWh of capacity is found under the boot floor, but some of the capacity is held back for boosting and high-performance driving. Despite that, you can still extract up to 100km of electric driving on this model. The petrol motor is largely the same as in the last E 53 but with a tad more power thanks to a new twin-scroll turbocharger, new coolers, and new software.
The vehicle can be charged with an 11kW AC charging station or 60kW DC fast charging station if optioned. At its peak, charging from 10% to 80% takes just 20 minutes. One pedal driving is available.
Other performance-related enhancements include the revised stiffness of the body. There’s a new strut brace between the front suspension strut mounts. Additional struts from the side members have been added as well.
Besides that, you get all-wheel drive with an electromechanically controlled clutch, AMG Ride Control steel spring suspension with adaptive adjustable damping, and standard rear-wheel steering.
Design Changes
The new Mercedes-AMG E53 Hybrid 4MATIC+ gets special design elements such as AMG-specific radiator elements, wider front fenders, reshaped outer air inlets with two vertical fins, a central A-wing, independent front AMG apron, a large central lower inlet, and an external opening on the wheel arch. There are also AMG-specific side skirt panels, light alloy wheels (19″ standard, up to 21″ available), an AMG spoiler lip on the trunk lid and and an AMG rear apron with diffuser and two round double tailpipes. There are also hybrid-specific badges.
AMG-Specific Interior
Inside, there are AMG logos, AMG-specific displays with exclusive menus (AMG Performance and AMG Track Pace).
Electrically-adjustable AMG sports seats come as standard in Artico leather and Microcut microfibre with red stitching and an AMG seat fraphic. An AMG performance steering in Nappa leather is standard.
We’re not sure if the Mercedes-AMG E53 Hybrid 4MATIC+ is in the pipeline for Malaysia. We’re still patiently awaiting the arrival of the all-new E-Class then we’ll take it from there.
