SIX SHOOTER

Family sport-luxury saloon or engaging four-door sedan? The AMG E 53 4MATIC+ brings two worlds together by combining good ride quality and sporty handling with a potent yet efficient powertrain

- Jim Gorde

THINK ABOUT FAST MERCEDES FAMILY saloons and, without a doubt, the 300 CE (aka a Hammer”), the E 55 AMG, and, of course, the E 63 S come to mind. But what if you don't want a big, mental V8 engine with 500... well, now, over 600 horsepower? What if you were one of those who wanted an E 500 with AMG kit and actual go-faster elements? Well, with the E 53, Mercedes-AMG have addressed exactly that wish.

The “53 powertrain combines the new “M256 E30 DEH LAG” motor, a 3.0-litre, in-line six-cylinder petrol engine with two compressors: an exhaust-driven turbocharger and a 48-volt electric-powered turbine from Borg Warner. That codename is ironic because there is no lag when driving it. But more on that later. The six-pot makes 435 hp and 520 Nm and is assisted by the “EQ Boost” system, a 48-volt integrated starter/generator which adds up to 16 kW (22 hp) and a wholesome 250 Nm for torque fill and assist, which enables immediate stop-start and helps with coasting and regeneration, all of which dramatically improve fuel economy; especially on the open highway when munching miles between cities or, in Europe, entire countries. Oh, and it's the same powertrain as the S 500 overseas.