2024 Mercedes-AMG E 53 Hybrid 4MATIC+ revealed

The first new-generation Mercedes-AMG E-Class has debuted in Europe with a 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo-petrol plug-in hybrid powertrain packing V8 levels of power and performance.

Offering 430kW/750Nm, the new 2024 Mercedes AMG E 53 Hybrid 4MATIC+ will hit 100km/h in a claimed 3.8 seconds and eventually hit an electronically governed 280km/h top speed, making it very nearly as fast as the old E 63 S super sedan.

An important detail here is the fact the 53 variants have long been the second-tier AMG model beneath the eventual 63 and 63 S flagships, hybrid versions of which are already setting new performance benchmarks for the brand, at least when it comes to the new C 63 S E-performance.

Being a plug-in hybrid, the E 53 Hybrid 4MATIC+ can cover more than 100km on a single charge of its 28.6kWh battery pack, propelled at up to 140km/h by a permanently excited E-synchronous motor integrated into the nine-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

There have been plenty of renders as to what an AMG-fettled new-generation E-Class might look like and many of them have proved accurate, given the E 53 dons a slatted grille, wider fenders and tracks, AMG front and rear bumpers, unique side skirts and diffuser, 20-inch forged alloys and a rear boot lip spoiler.

It’s a similar story in the cabin, with AMG-specific displays and features, power-adjustable sport seats, red stitching, Nappa leather performance steering wheel and illuminated open-pore ash wood.

Supporting the whole package is a uniquely tuned AMG Ride Control adaptive suspension set-up working in tandem with reprogrammed stability control, all-wheel drive and active rear axle steering systems to make the E 53 Hybrid the most agile E-Class as well as the fastest.

A high-performance braking system packing 370x36mm front (steel) rotors grabbed by four-piston callipers and 360x26mm rears clamped by floating single-piston callipers can be replaced with a beefier six-piston brake package with carbon-ceramic rotors via the optional AMG Dynamic Plus package.

Drivers can tailor their vehicle via the Comfort, Sport, Sport+, Smoothness and Individual drive modes, as well as two hybrid-specific set-ups for the powertrain: Electric and Battery Hold, both of which do what they say on the tin.

Electric is the default setting pending healthy charge levels, while Battery Hold can either be manually selected by the driver or automatically activated when the battery is low on charge, when the E 53 operates like a traditional hybrid.

Opting for the optional AMG Dynamic Plus package adds the aforementioned braking hardware along with a Nappa leather and microfibre-clad steering wheel, electronically controlled locking rear differential, dynamic engine mounts and launch control.

Mercedes-Benz Australia is yet to announce any local plans for the new E-Class AMG, but the hot sedan (not the wagon) should be a shoo-in for our market based on previous sales trends.

However, pricing, specifications and release details for the standard E-Class line-up will be released in the coming weeks.

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