Mercedes-AMG E53 4matic 2018 first drive

Is it right for me?

Not everybody wants a fairly brutal ride, plenty of road noise and enough V8 song-and-dance to stir entire suburbs at dawn. Filling the gap beneath the mad-hatter E63 and E63 S, the E53 (in sedan, coupe or cabriolet body styles) still offers plenty of performance (0-100km/h in a claimed 4.4 seconds) and ‘4matic’ all-wheel drive, but in a suavely cultured, less hardcore package.

Can I afford it ?

At a starting price of $167,129 (before on-road costs) for the E53 4matic sedan, that’s a useful $43,000 less than a standard E63 sedan, and $72,000 less than the ballistic E63 S.

The E53 Coupe is a bit pricier at $172,729 and the E53 Cabriolet a wedge more again at $181,329. But the standard equipment list is long so you shouldn’t need to indulge too much in Mercedes-Benz’s options catalogue.

What do you get for your money?

Externally, the E53 is the definition of understatement. The sedan, coupe and cabriolet score a silver-chrome twin-blade grille, as per the V8 AMG models, with a black lattice centre section, backed by charcoal twin-spoke 20-inch alloys with machined faces, a subtle bootlid lip spoiler and a switchable AMG performance exhaust system with four tips.

Inside, specific AMG sports front seats, a superb new flat-bottomed AMG sports steering wheel, supple Nappa leather, a powerful 13-speaker Burmester surround-sound system, a Widescreen Cockpit instrument layout (with configurable instrument designs in Classic, Sporty and Progressive styles), and a panoramic glass roof in sedan and coupe variants set the E53’s suavely seductive tone perfectly.

The cabriolet uniquely gets an acoustic soft top (that’s beautifully lined and sound-deadened) and an Airscarf system that can blow hot air onto the front passenger’s necks. But all three E53 variants feature the E63’s sophisticated suspension system – multi-chamber air springs and adaptive dampers – with specific tuning for this six-pack application. And a dinner-plate-sized braking package – ventilated and perforated 370mm front discs with four-piston calipers, and 360mm ventilated discs at the rear.

How much does it cost to maintain?

Mercedes-Benz is yet to determine what the fixed servicing cost of the straight-six E53 models will be, but the previous V6-engined E43 would set you back $668 for the first year, $1356 for the second year and $1356 for the third.

Backed by a fairly standard three-year/unlimited km warranty, the E53’s projected resale value after three years is a pretty average 52.5 per cent, according to The Red Book.

Is it well built?

It’s becoming increasingly difficult to criticise the build quality of pricier Mercedes-Benz models and the E53 falls smack-bang into that category. Lush Nappa leather with loads of lovingly crafted stitching, and moody 64-colour ambient lighting offsets that huge slab of Widescreen Cockpit technicolour realness to give the E53’s interior a rock-star level of designer chic.

Downplaying that only in its lack of gauche adornment is the E53’s elegant exterior. It’s a classy-looking car that doesn’t need to shout its credentials.

What are the Standout features?

Due to its inherent smoothness, there’s much to love about Mercedes-AMG’s newfound devotion to an in-line engine configuration (commonly called ‘straight-six’ when referring to an in-line six-cylinder).

The old V6 was a cut-down V8, sharing its 90-degree vee angle, not the 60-degree vee angle that’s ideal for minimal engine vibration and maximum packaging efficiency. And despite some quality tuning by AMG, the old E43 V6 lacked the new engine’s layers of personality and technology.

But it’s also the wrapping that heralds this new 320kW AMG donk. Dressed in considered understatement, the E53 Coupe, in particular is a lovely, svelte two-door disguising a proper performance punch.

What does it have that others don't?

Among the best active-safety technology currently on-sale, though all of this lane-keeping, steering-correcting stuff remains in its infancy. For all the E53’s towering technological achievement, it’s still far from perfect in the way it guides the driver, on Australian roads at least. But it’s one of the best so far.

The E53 Coupe is also the only two-door coupe at this price point offering full pillarless motoring. Like its CLK predecessor, the E-Class coupe has no visible B-pillar, meaning both front and rear side glass can vanish into the bodysides, leaving an obstruction-free view.

There’s a minor concession to this flexibility, though – a small filler window just ahead of the C-pillar that fills a gap a moveable window couldn’t.

How practical is it?

The E53 sedan is a no-brainer – broad cabin, big boot, family ready – but it’s the coupe and cabriolet that are the real surprise.

Both can easily seat four adults, providing the rear pair aren’t too far beyond 180cm tall, and even the back seats are supportive and comfortable, if quite firmly padded and a little upright in the cabriolet. The back seat is mounted slightly higher than the excellent front buckets for a superior forward view, and if you lower the cabriolet’s lid, headroom is limitless.

Is it comfortable?

Unlike the hard-riding E63 sedan models, the E53 coupe offers a much more pliable driving experience. It has an ability to round off bumps that the E63 S traverses like it’s reading braille to its passengers.

And the E53’s front seats are much more traditional in their padding and seat design. Out go the E63’s winged backs and vice-like hold in lieu of form-fitting, tombstone-type seats in the E53.

Easy in, easy out?

We only drove the two-door coupe and cabriolet on the E53 launch, so can only comment from prior experience that the E53 sedan’s wide-opening rear doors make it fairly easy to enter its rear chamber.

In the coupe/cabriolet, the front seats tilt and slide electrically before returning to their position. Yet if they sense they’re about to crush legs in the rear, they stop.

Space and versatility?

The pretty coupe is the utility/beauty sweet spot, in that its boot can swallow 425 litres and its rear backrests can be tipped forward to expand that. The Cabriolet has a 385-litre boot when the roof is erect, and 310 when it’s tucked away.

Rear legroom isn’t vast but the cabin’s overall airiness makes it feel anything but cramped. Rear air vents and a pair of cupholders between the bucket-shaped back seats confirm the impression that the E53 coupe/cabriolet are meant to be proper four-seaters.

Up front, there’s a world of space to bask in. Not only are there central trays, flip-open armrest stowage and wireless phone charging, the long doors contain big full-length pockets, each capable of housing a 1.5-litre water bottle.

What's the engine like?

After 20 years of V6 engines standing in the shadow of their loftier, fruitier bent-eight siblings, Mercedes-AMG is returning to straight-six territory with a brand new engine that packs both a performance kick and a technological boost, as well as a satisfying six-cylinder rasp.

Driving through a rear-biased ‘4matic’ all-wheel-drive system just like its V8 brothers, the E53’s slick drivetrain is an intriguing mix of hybrid-type technologies.

Its all-new in-line six-cylinder engine measures 3.0-litres in capacity (2996cc) and features a twin-scroll single turbo for normal running, as well as a small but super-responsive electric compressor to bolster engine output from idle up to 3000rpm.

The net worth of all this fresh hardware is a pretty serious 320kW at 6100rpm and a bountiful 520Nm of torque from 1800 to 5800rpm. But wait, there’s more.

The E53 also gets ‘EQ Boost’ – an additional 16kW/250Nm shove in the back (up to 2500rpm) from an electric motor mounted between the engine and nine-speed automatic transmission. Not only does EQ Boost generate power for the E53’s new 48-volt electrical system, it drives the engine’s small electric compressor (or turbo, if you like), and combines the starter motor and alternator into one unit – removing the need for space- and power-wasting auxiliary engine pulleys.

Its “hybrid-type” qualities include energy recuperation through braking and coasting, enabling the E53 to consume less energy, while gaining instantaneous performance response.

How much fuel does it consume?

A respectable 8.7L/100km (sedan), 8.8L/100km (coupe), or 9.0L/100km (cabriolet) of (preferred) 98-octane brew on the official government combined cycle.

Is it enjoyable to drive?

The E53 coupe and cabriolet’s party trick of lowering the front and rear windows to leave the side view completely unimpeded is such an underrated joy. On a clear day, with the barky exhaust button activated, it’s a fine way to experience what the E53 can do.

The refinement of the cabriolet is so good that you can barrel along at three-figure speeds with the roof down without going deaf, but it’s the stronger, 100kg-lighter coupe that’s the one to go for. Blending the stylistic restraint of its beautiful two-door form with inspiring performance and dynamics, it’s a fine flagship for AMG to attach its six-cylinder flag to.

With the option of five different drive modes to choose from, the 20-inch-wheeled E53 is genuinely liveable in Comfort mode, yet focused and poised when ramped up to Sport+. An Individual mode enables the driver to tailor his/her experience by mixing comfy suspension with sports drivetrain response and loud exhaust, yet, disappointingly, you don’t get the option of blending comfortable damping with sports steering.

On lumpy Aussie backroads, that would be the perfect combination. Without that option, the E53’s ‘comfort’ steering feels a little too detached, though at least the suspension damping is less brutal in Sport than the E63's. You can drive the E53 for extended periods in Sport mode – relishing its rear-drive bias and lovely, poised fluency – though it’s probably this car’s all-surface comfort in cushy mode that makes it a superior grand tourer.

In some ways, the E53 is preferable to the E63. More generously padded sports front seats do a better pampering job, and there are plenty of luxury finishes and in-cabin toys to keep passengers interested. Indeed, there’s comparative value to be had in this elegantly luscious beast.

Does it perform as you expect?

All that sophisticated ‘EQ Boost’ engine technology operates seamlessly, making the E53 feel deceptively rapid. There’s crisp, progressive, yet instantaneous response from its right pedal at low to middling engine speeds, backed by proper sports-car thrust as the boosted straight-six extends itself to 6800rpm before upshifting.

All-wheel drive means there’s no delay in transferring grunt to the road, and there’s a delightful side benefit of listening to AMG’s fit new straight-six howl sweetly if you push it, supported by a raspy crackle from the E53’s quad rear pipes.

Like the V8s, an exhaust button on the centre console amplifies the effect, yet when you’re cruising or on a light throttle, the E53’s engine feels like a torquey pussycat …. of the lion variety.

This may not be the most hardcore E-Class in AMG’s shed, but don’t let that fool you. Its delicate balance of sporting and stylistic talent means the AMG-lite E53 delivers a close-to-full-fat experience.

2018 Mercedes-AMG E53 4matic Coupe price and specifications

Price: $172,729

Engine: 3.0-litre turbo-petrol six-cylinder

Power: 320kW at 6100rpm

Torque: 520Nm at 1800-5800rpm

Transmission: 9-speed automatic

Fuel use: 8.8L/100km