Mercedes-AMG E53 4Matic+ Plug-in Hybrid Review

The latest Mercedes-Benz E-Class is an impressive proposition. It can learn routines, operates with sublime manners, and still manages to stir emotions. In this writer's case, it can make the driver feel like they're part of senior management.

But when this luxury executive sedan receives a massive injection of automotive steroids, it sheds its gentlemanly persona and transforms into a muscled prize-fighter in a suit.

No longer bound by corporate conventions, it's now raring to dominate tarmac and subjugate the laws of physics. It has the potential, but it must either improve or shed its plug-in hybrid powertrain first.

Most of the AMG-specific parts are nice except for the 'E53' badge – the red accent makes it look cheap

The naming convention

Until Mercedes-Benz unveils a new E63 (hopefully powered by a V8 and not a four-cylinder like the latest C63), the E53 is currently the range-topping E-Class model. If you want the quickest and most powerful E-Class available, this is it.

That said, despite the AMG badge, this is not a full-fat AMG model, which will have a powerplant built under the firm's 'one man, one engine' philosophy. That means there's no badge on the engine cover bearing the signature of the engineer who assembled it.

On the other hand, the E53 has plenty of distinctive components to ensure it stands out wherever it's driven. These AMG-specific components include the illuminated grille and front bumper with a larger air-intake, duck tail spoiler, quad-exhaust system, a composite braking system, and forged 21-inch wheels featuring a cross-spoke design.

The 'Affalterbach' and 'Turbo Hybrid' badges help make the E53 look even more distinct

The latter, seen here in matte black, are also available in a brighter and shinier finish called Himalayas grey. Mercedes-Benz Singapore must have been having fun specifying this test unit, too, because it has Manufaktur Opal White Magno paintwork, a $28,200 option.

Giving the driver a sense of occasion are the tasty AMG goodies in the interior. These include illuminated door sill panels, sports seats featuring embossed 'AMG' and 'Affalterbach' logos, an AMG steering wheel, and AMG menus in the infotainment system. Apart from these special bits, the rest of the cabin is like the E200's.

The sports seats and unique AMG displays further add to the cockpit's sense of occasion

Shock and awe...

What truly makes the E53 distinct is its powertrain, which is comprised of a turbocharged 3.0-litre straight-six and a plug-in hybrid system. The latter features an electric motor fed by a 21.2kWh battery, which can be recharged in 20 minutes with a 60kW DC charger.

All you need to know is this: The combined output from both the ICE and electric powertrains is 577bhp and 740Nm of torque, and the figures are sent to all four wheels through a nine-speed automatic gearbox. Driven in anger, the E53 rockets from rest to 100km/h in four seconds.

The 3.0-litre in-line-six is tractable, and emotive, too

That is stunning performance for a sedan with a kerb weight of 2,390kg. And even more mind-boggling is how it dulls the sensation of speed - you feel like you're driving at 40km/h when you're cruising at 90km/h on the expressway.

The real fun, of course, is how the E53 picks up speed. With Dynamic Select in 'Individual', I set Drive to 'Dynamic' and AMG Dynamics to 'Advanced'. The powertrains and the gearbox are at their most responsive.

The straight-six emits a low grumble at idle and sounds throatier as you pick up speed, which the car does with utter effortlessness. On empty stretches of road, progressive pressure on the accelerator lets you stretch the revs and hear the motor sing.

Switching between drive modes is easy, thanks to this conveniently located drive mode selector

Of course, you could nail the pedal to the floor and feel the sledgehammer-like acceleration that the car can deliver. But doing this reveals some lag: It takes a moment for the E53 to summon its outputs in response to the driver's sudden demands, for it does not seem to like being driven in an unruly manner.

But the car has no qualms slicing through corners. With beefier dampers and AMG Ride Control, the E53 handles bends with ease, despite the nose not feeling particularly pointy. Pick your line, brake hard and turn in, and the big sedan moves with alacrity.

The helm is nicely weighted, accurate and the wheel itself offers a positive grip. I don't expect much feel because of the 21-inch wheels and the fact that this is a large vehicle. But the way the E53 can tackle the twisty bits as the in-line-six soundtrack plays - I wouldn't even bother attempting the same in an E200.

This dial is unintuitive because pressing it changes the mode instead of turning it on; it's the plastic tab that must be actuated

And irritation

The E53 would have been the high-performance executive sedan I expected, if not for the plug-in hybrid system. That very component that adds to its fiery performance is also the one I wish I could remove from the vehicle.

Whenever you bring the car to a halt, the brakes go dodgy. By that, I mean as you're coming to a complete stop, it's almost as if the callipers suddenly release their hold on the rotors, only to suddenly clamp down again. You end up needing to leave an even wider gap to avoid stopping so close to the vehicle in front.

The AMG composite brakes look gorgeous; too bad the plug-in hybrid system mars their operation

At times, you need to maintain more pressure than expected on the brake pedal to keep the car stationary. Parking is annoying, because modulating the brakes is tricky and requires firmer presses. And low-speed modulation causes the brakes to squeal. It even sounds like someone's honking at you.

What about the ability to drive the E53 solely in electric mode, for up to 101km? Zero tailpipe emissions - isn't that wonderful?

For a normal car, sure. But the E53 was built to be a rocket of an executive saloon. Why would an eco-conscious buyer even consider this? If you want an EV, buy an EV. Or get a proper hybrid.

The full-electric mode is superfluous on a car like this

I tried driving the E53 in its default Electric mode, but in less than 20 minutes, I switched back to Individual, which had my preferred settings. The sweet symphony of six cylinders and the growl of the exhaust - now that's the car being true to itself.

It would be great if the E53 had the same powertrain as the CLE53 Coupe. Though the latter 'only' has 443bhp and 560Nm of torque, it finishes the century sprint in 4.2 seconds (just 0.2 of a second slower). More importantly, there's no plug-in hybrid system to add weight and mar the proceedings.

Fast but flawed

The E53 has so many things going for it. It looks both handsome and intimidating thanks to the AMG-specific components, has stirring vocals, and is stupendously quick.

It handles well for its size, too. Properly tuned suspension that rides well even in the Sport+ setting, and the 4Matic+ all-wheel drive system with fully variable torque splitting, enable the E53 to move nimbly considering its size and heft.

In its current form, the E53's plug-in hybrid system must either be improved or removed. Because while it makes me feel like I'm on the board of directors with stock options, it also makes me imagine exercising those options and acquiring a CLE53 Coupe in the meantime.

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