BY JUSTIN HILLIARD | 13th Feb 2019
Mercedes-AMG released its first E53 sportscar in October 2018 with the choice of three body styles – sedan, coupe or Cabriolet.
The E53’s 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder petrol engine featured two turbochargers: one traditional unit fed by exhaust gases, while the other had an electric auxiliary compressor working up to 3000rpm.
As a result, it produced 320kW of power at 6100rpm and 520Nm of torque from 1800 to 5800rpm.
Being a mild hybrid, the E53 featured a starter-alternator electric motor, dubbed EQ Boost, which delivered an additional 16kW and 250Nm up to 2500rpm, and fed the 48V on-board electrical system alongside the traditional 12V set-up that continued to power the lights, infotainment system and controls.
This set-up combined with Mercedes-AMG’s nine-speed Speedshift automatic transmission and rear-biased 4Matic+ all-wheel-drive system with fully variable torque distribution to help the E53 sprint from standstill to 100km/h in 4.4 seconds (coupe) to 4.5s (sedan and Cabriolet).
EQ Boost also enabled coasting functionality and extended capabilities for the idle-stop system, both of which helped to reduce fuel consumption over a traditional internal-combustion engine.
Claimed fuel consumption on the combined cycle test ranged from 8.7 litres per 100 kilometres (sedan) to 9.0L/100km (Cabriolet), while carbon dioxide emissions were tested between 199 grams per kilometre (sedan) to 204g/km (Cabriolet).
The E53 rode on multi-chamber, self-levelling air suspension, dubbed AMG Ride Control+, with adaptive dampers and harder spring rates that helped reduce body roll, while its electric power steering was speed-sensitive and featured a variable ratio.
Five Dynamic Select driving modes – Eco, Comfort, Sport, Sport+ and Individual – allowed the driver to alter engine, transmission, steering and suspension settings while on the move.
Braking power was provided by ventilated discs at all four corners, measuring 370mm with four-piston fixed callipers up front, and 360mm with single-pot floating stoppers at the rear.