Mercedes-AMG showcases E 53 AMG 4Matic+ Coupe and Cabriolet

Mercedes-AMG has shown off the new E 53 AMG 4Matic Coupe and Cabriolet (soft-top convertible) duo for the Europena markets. The new coupe and cabriolet both get a 3-litre twin-turbo petrol engine making 429bhp and a peak torque of 520 Nm. In conjunction to the petrol mill is an EQ Boost starter-alternator which briefly provides an additional 21bhp of output plus 250 Nm of torque and also feeds the 48 V on-board electrical system. Other highlights of the new models include the AMG Speedshift 9-speed automatic transmission and the AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive system.

Restyled exteriors

Viewed from the front, the E 53 4MATIC+ Coupé and Cabriolet looks new, but keeps with the ‘butch’ design philosophy, with the AMG-specific radiator grille with twelve vertical louvres. Next, the bulging bonnet also adds to the overall powerful look. In the centre section the front apron is drawn high into an A shape, creating a large air inlet grille with five vertical struts. This provides a view of technical details such as the intercooler, which supports the sportily authentic impression. The large outer air inlet grille features two transverse louvres and a new front splitter. The grille also features inner Air Curtains, giving an overall aerodynamic advantage, and a subtle similarity to the AMG GT sports car family.

Moving to the side, the new alloy wheels can be had in a characteristic Mercedes five-spoke design with either a 19-inch or optional 20-inch diameter, painted in a choice of matt black or high-gloss titanium grey. Graphite grey metallic and matt brilliant blue magno are available for selection as new paint colours, the latter having been previously reserved for the AMG GT family.

Finally, the tail end features a round twin tailpipe trim elements, available in either silver chrome or in the optional high-gloss black of the AMG Night Package. The design of the sides of the mud flaps improves the aerodynamics at the rear, providing better air flow around the wheel arches. The spoiler lip on the boot lid is painted in the colour of the vehicle, but is optionally also available in carbon fibre.

Speaking about the optional AMG Night Package, the E 53 4MATIC+ Coupe and Cabriolet can take on an even sportier appearance. On offer are outside mirror housings and window frames, as well as trim elements in the front and rear apron styled in high-gloss black and tailpipe trim elements in black chrome. The Carbon Package II adds individual highlights with mirror caps and a spoiler lip on the boot lid in carbon fibre.

Lavish Interiors

The interior gets luxurious materials and the current-generation MBUX infotainment system. The sporty and comfortable seats provide strong lateral support which translate to comfort during long drives. They come in either Artico man-made leather or Dinamica microfibre in black with an AMG-specific design, red contrasting topstitching and the AMG badge, characteristic for the 53-series models. Further interior features include red seat belts and trim elements in carbon fibre. Also on offer is the optional Nappa leather upholstery in black/titanium grey pearl with red contrasting topstitching.

Visually the two displays for the instrument cluster and multimedia displays blend beneath a shared glass cover to form the Widescreen Cockpit. The customer can choose between the three AMG display styles ‘Modern Classic’, ‘Sport’ and ‘Supersport’ for the instrument cluster.

The ‘Supersport’ mode is particularly striking with a central, round rev counter and additional information presented in perspective in the form of bars to the left and right of the rev counter and creating a spatial impression of depth. Via the AMG menu, the driver can call up various special displays such as engine data, gear speed indicator, warm-up, set-up, G-Meter and race timer. The touchscreen multimedia display shows individual visualisation of the drive programs or telemetry data.

The new AMG Performance steering wheel

Mercedes had already given us a teaser of the new steering wheel, and we finally see it in action here, with a fresh design and seamlessly integrated buttons. The cover is selectable in leather, in Dinamica microfibre or as a combination of leather and microfibre, on request with steering wheel heating. In the steering wheel rim there is also a sensor mat to recognise ‘hands-on’. If the driver does not have their hands on the steering wheel for a certain time, a warning cascade is started, which finally activates Emergency Brake Assist if the driver continues to be inactive.

The new switches integrated into the surfaces of the horizontal twin spokes have a very elegant look. Haptic sensing aids in the area of the symbols make control easier. The instrument cluster is operated via the left-hand sensor surface on the upper steering wheel spokes, the media display via the right-hand sensor surface. The lower spokes contain the controls for the cruise control/Distronic (left) and telephone/hands-free system/volume control (right).

The optional AMG steering wheel buttons for actuating the drive programs and further, individually definable functions include even more brilliant displays with new icons and are now both round. Behind the steering wheel rim are the paddles for the AMG Speedshift TCT 9G transmission, which are now slightly bigger and positioned lower down.

That gem of an engine

The 3-litre six-cylinder twin-turbo petrol engine works in conjunction with the EQ Boost starter-alternator (a combination of a starter motor and alternator in a powerful electric motor, fitted between the engine and transmission. It is a key component of the 48 V on-board electrical system and not only serves as an alternator, but is also responsible for hybrid functions. These include boosting with 21bhp of output and 250 Nm of torque, recuperation, shifting of the load point, gliding mode and a seamless restarting of the engine’s start/stop function.

Supported by the EQ Boost starter-alternator when moving off, the electric auxiliary compressor builds up a high charge pressure without any delay, for a faster increase in torque for acceleration until the large exhaust gas turbocharger is deployed. As a result the 3.0-litre engine reacts immediately, and provides a highly dynamic response without turbo lag.

The AMG Speedshift 9G (nine-speed automatic) transmission features extremely short shift times, especially in the ‘Sport+’ drive program and in manual mode. Dynamic acceleration and very short shift times are also available, as is a fuel-efficient driving style, depending on the selected mode.

The E 53 AMG is electronically limited to 250 kmph, which can be increased to 270 kmph with the AMG Driver‘s Package. This turn of speed needs serious braking, and the E 53 AMG features 370 x 36 mm cross-drilled and internally vented discs with four-piston fixed calipers up front, and internally vented 360 x 26 mm discs, worked upon by single-piston floating calipers, at the rear.

AMG Dynamic Select: Characteristics at the touch of a finger

With the five Dynamic Select drive programs Slippery, Comfort, Sport, Sport+ and Individual, the characteristics of the new E 53 models can be influenced at the tap of a finger. The available range extends from efficient and comfortable to very sporty. The modes modify key parameters, such as engine response, transmission, suspension and steering. Additionally, the driver can switch directly to manual mode with the ‘M’ button, to shift gears using the steering column-mounted paddles. The suspension setups can also be selected specifically as needed.

The AMG Dynamics (vehicle dynamics controls) are integrated into the AMG Dynamic Select drive programs. In the Basic, Advanced and Pro levels, it influences the control strategies of the ESP (Electronic Stability Program) or the all-wheel drive, for example. The intelligent pilot control anticipates the desired vehicle behaviour based on the driver's actions and the sensor data. The range spans extremely stable to highly dynamic, for a comfort-biased or particularly sporty driving experience. The AMG Dynamics functions can also be directly selected via the AMG steering wheel buttons, for a host of individual preferences.

AMG Ride Control+ suspension

More agility, neutral cornering performance and greater traction come courtesy of the AMG Ride Control+ air suspension developed in Affalterbach. The multi-chamber air suspension with particularly sporty spring/damper setup and continuously adjustable damping ADS+ (Adaptive Damping System) with three modes – Comfort, Sport and Sport+ – allows for the damping at each wheel to be adjusted to suit the current driving situation and road conditions.

The AMG Dynamic Plus package

The optional AMG Dynamic Plus package bundles together technical and visual equipment details previously reserved for the eight-cylinder models. The highlights include the Race drive program with Drift Mode. The AMG Performance steering wheel gets buttons for fast control of the drive programs and further settings for the driving dynamics. A visual differentiator is the red-painted brake callipers with AMG lettering on the front and rear axle.

Speaking on the unveil of the E 53 AMG 4Matic+ Coupe and Cabriolet, Tobias Moers, chairman of the management board of Mercedes-AMG GmbH said,"Following the saloon and estate, our new E 53 4Matic+ models also offer a perfect synthesis of performance, elegance and comfort as a coupé and cabriolet. With specific measures on the exterior and in the interior we have re-sharpened the brand identity somewhat and we are continuing to drive forward the revision of our entire E-Class family successively. For lifestyle-oriented customer groups with discerning requirements in terms of performance and efficiency, both two-door models from Affalterbach are the perfect offerings. "

The new E53 AMG 4Matic+ will go on sale in the UK in late June, and as of now we cannot definitively say when it will come to India. However, if you're still craving AMGs, you're in luck, as a lot of fresh new metal in the form of the C 63 Coupe and the new AMG GT R is going on the market, any moment now!