Amg cranks e53 up to 603bhp

The Mercedes-AMG E53 has been reinvented as a potent plug-in hybrid with an aggressive new look, a wide-reaching chassis makeover and as much power as the old V8-propelled E63.

The hot four-wheel-drive E-Class model, introduced in 2016 to sit below the range-topping E63 super-saloon, keeps its 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged straight six but receives a chunky power boost from a new electric motor. In total, the new E53 packs up to 603bhp and is as quick off the mark as the Audi RS4 Avant.

On its own, the engine produces 442bhp, having been tweaked to make 19bhp more than before. Up to 161bhp comes from the electric motor, which is integrated into the nine-speed torque-converter automatic gearbox.

In normal running, the combined output is 577bhp and 553lb ft, making it more powerful than its predecessor by 154bhp and 170lb ft. The result is a 0-62mph time of 4.0sec for the saloon and 4.1sec for the estate.

However, an optional AMG Dynamic Plus package liberates the full 603bhp when the driver engages ‘Race start’, which also optimises off-the-line performance and trims the 0-62mph time to 3.8sec for the saloon and 3.9sec for the estate. It also removes the 155mph speed limiter and lets the E53 continue on to its natural 174mph maximum.

The fast PHEV is equipped with a 21.2kWh (usable capacity) battery, which gives a claimed electric-only range of up to 62 miles. It can be topped up from an 11kW domestic charger in around six hours. A 60kW fast charger gets it from 10-80% in 20 minutes.

The battery can be charged at rates of up to 120kW by the car’s regenerative braking system – 32kW more than the new Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid. Recuperation levels can be adjusted via paddles behind the steering wheel when in Hybrid mode.

Electric-only driving is possible at up to 87mph and a Battery Hold mode – one of seven drive settings – can be used to ensure there is enough juice for engine-off driving through upcoming low-emission zones, for example.

AMG has made further revisions to the E53’s chassis to further hone its dynamic potential. There is additional bracing on the front and rear axles for extra stiffness, while the front track width has been increased by a further 3mm. The E53’s twin-chamber suspension dampers remain unchanged.

For the new model, the braking system has been optimised to work with the hybrid powertrain’s