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John Mahoney1 May 2018
NEWS

Mercedes-AMG launches quicker E 53 to replace E 43

E 53 AMG to get 48-volt mild-hybrid tech and standard all-wheel drive; available with both sedan and wagon

Mercedes-AMG has announced it is phasing out its E 43 in the E-Class line-up and introducing the advanced '53' powertrain for the renamed 2018 E 53.

The E 53 4MATIC+ is set to go on sale in most European markets this July, but it's not yet known when it will arrive in Australia.

Sitting below the flagship E 63 and E 63 S models in the AMG E-Class line-up, the E 53 will be available as both a sedan and wagon.

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Under the bonnet, the 53-series AMG E-Class gets the car-maker's all-new M256 twin-turbo 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder that's already used in the CLS range.

Thanks to Mercedes' new 'EQ Boost' 48-volt mild-hybrid technology, in total the E 53 produces 320kW/520Nm – 20kW more than the old turbo 3.0-litre V6 that powered the E 43.

Helping it generate the extra power is an innovative starter-alternator that sits between the engine and the E 53's nine-speed automatic. Fed by its own 48-volt power system, the little starter generator contributes 16kW/250Nm to the party.

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Kicking in low-down in the rev range, the clever EQ Boost system helps kill off turbo lag from the exhaust-driven turbochargers.

The result is that both the E 53 sedan and wagon and hit 100km/h from standstill in just 4.5 seconds – 0.1sec quicker than the old E 43.

Top speed, meanwhile, remains limited at 250km/h – the same as the old car.

For the first time with the junior AMG model in the E-Class range, owners will be able to opt for an AMG Driver's Pack that raises the limited top speed to 270km/h and adds larger four-piston performance brake upgrade.

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Efficiency should also have been increased but it's not been reflected in the claimed fuel figures as the E 53 4MATIC+ averages around 8.7L/100km while emitting 200g/km of CO2 – fractionally worse than the outgoing E 43 that was claimed to return 8.4L/100km while pumping out 194g/km of CO2.

As well as the new engine, the latest addition to the E-Class AMG line-up comes equipped with an updated transmission that has been retuned for faster gearshifts and now features the ability to double-declutch for multiple downshifts during enthusiastic motoring.

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AMG engineers have also been given the opportunity to give the E 53 AMG a specific chassis tune, with various tweaks made to its AMG Ride Control air suspension.

In markets like the UK, the E 53 AMG has been subject to a price hike of around $6500 over the outgoing E 43.

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