Mercedes-AMG now has a performance flagship for its New Zealand E-Class lineup with the addition of the E 53 hybrid, a $199,900 machine that aims to combine serious acceleration with impressive fuel economy and traditional E-Class comfort.
The E 53 combines a 3.0-litre straight-6 petrol engine with a plug-in battery for combined outputs of 450kW/750km.
So yes, it's a PHEV. But not the same kind of PHEV as the extremely complicated new-generation C 63 S, which has a 4-cylinder engine, tiny 6.1kWh battery (mainly there for a power boost) and three electric motors around the place, including one of the rear axle.
The E 53 boasts a 28.6kWh battery that can deliver up to 100km in EV mode (that's NEDC, it'll be less in NZ's 3P-WLTP standard) and has just the one electric motor, which is attached to the 9-speed transmission.
The electric motor alone make 480Nm and the torque is available instantly, helping the E 53 to 100km/h in 3.8 seconds. The vehicle can also be driven in pure-electric mode, which is selectable from the steering wheel-mounted controller; it also features a battery-hold setting.
Software and hardware changes include a new twin-scroll turbocharger with higher boost pressure for the 3.0-litre engine, additional front cooler, and a wheel arch cooler.
The AMG Ride Control steel-spring suspension with adaptive adjustable damping has been tuned specifically for the E 53. The company says it has been modified for "adequate acoustic insulation for purely electric driving in combination with a very sporty character typical of AMG".
AWD is standard, as is 4-wheel steering.The rear wheels steer in the opposite direction to the front wheels up to 100km/h) or in the same direction over 100km/h).
The standard AMG Dynamic Plus package bundles technical and visual equipment details such as larger high-performance composite brake system at the front with 390x36 mm brake discs and 6-piston fixed calipers (painted red).
The Race Start function is standard for the NZ market and pulls out all the stops to achieve the best
possible acceleration of 0-100km/h in 3.8 seconds. To do this, the software retrieves the full power of
the electric motor (120kW) and the combustion engine (330kW) as well as the maximum torque in each
case.
The E 53 wears an AMG-specific radiator trim with vertical slats in high-gloss chrome. Wider front guards (an extra 11mm on each side) make room for the larger track width on the front axle.
The outer air inlets each have two vertical fins, while the central A-wing is typical of an AMG front apron. There are AMG-specific side skirts.
Inside, the E 53 has illuminated trim in grey open-pore ash wood with an AMG logo. Electrically adjustable, climatised AMG sports seats are standard, with nappa leather upholstery, featuring the embossed AMG emblem on the front head restraints. Performance seats can be ordered as an option.
The standard specification includes the MBUX Superscreen with a 14.4-inch central display and a 12.3-inch passenger display, Active Ambient Lighting, and Thermotronic 4-zone automatic climate control with
Digital Vent Control.
A Burmester® 4D surround sound system with 17 speakers is also standard with the E 53.
