The new-gen 2025 Mercedes-AMG E53 gets the plug-in hybrid treatment and a thundering turbocharged inline-six petrol engine.
The first performance version of the new-generation Mercedes-Benz E-Class has been unveiled. You can spot the 2025 Mercedes-AMG E53 with its AMG grille which is illuminated, larger intakes, wider stance, quad exhausts and badging. Of course, you can add some carbon fibre packages to give you an even more menacing look. The car rides on 19-inch alloy wheels as standard, but customers have the option of 20-inch and 21-inch forged units.
Climb inside the cabin and we think the vehicle balances luxury and sportiness in equal measure. There are AMG sports seats as standard, with some AMG performance pews available as an option. A Nappa-wrapped steering whele is standard and there’s red contrast stitching in abundance. The high-tech MBUX infotainment screen features AMG-specific functionality and you can get the Superscreen setup as an option.
Right, onto the important bit, the engine. Much like its predecessor, the 2025 Mercedes-AMG E53 again features a straight-six petrol engine, but it has been substantially enhanced. Plug-in hybrid tech has been introduced and this has resulted in big power jumps.
The 3.0-litre 6-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine makes 330 kW and this is bolstered by a 120 kW single electric motor. Combined, there’s 430 kW and 750 Nm driving all four wheels via an automatic gearbox. However, tick the box called AMG Dynamic Plus package and you get 450 kW plus race start functionality.
Activate the race start, also known as launch control and it’ll sprint to 100 kph in just 3.8 seconds and top out at 280 kph. In comparison to the old model, that’s 0.7 seconds quicker. The vehicle is a plug-in hybrid and thanks to a 21.22 kWh battery, can be driven in zero-emission mode up to 100 km and will go from 10-80% in around 20 minutes when connected to a DC fast charger.
To cope with that performance, the 2025 Mercedes-AMG E53 features a specially-tuned chassis, sporty suspension with adaptive dampers, rear-axle steering and high-performance brakes. The AMG Dynamic Plus package adds in a rear axle locking differential, race start functionality, even larger brakes and dynamic engine mounts.
The E53 will be the most powerful E-Class you can buy, until the mighty E63 S makes its debut sometime in the near future. We estimate the new E-Class range will be arriving in South Africa in 2024.
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