Mercedes-AMG E 53 HYBRID 4MATIC+ (PHEV)
A different dimension from the regular E-Class
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[1] Tester Nobuteru Taniguchi. [2] The charging lid for the plug-in hybrid is located on the right side of the rear bumper for normal charging and on the rear left side of the body for rapid charging. [3] A closed forest road was used as the special course. The Mercedes-AMG E 53 HYBRID 4MATIC+ (PHEV) races up a packed snowy road.
The Mercedes-AMG E 53 HYBRID 4MATIC+ (PHEV) (hereafter referred to as the E 53), based on the luxury saloon Mercedes-Benz E-Class, has been introduced to Japan. We immediately took this latest high-performance saloon to Hokkaido in the winter for a test drive. The test driver was racing driver Nobuteru Taniguchi.
Driving on snow not only tests the precision of electronic controls, but also gives a glimpse into the car’s true nature. The aim of this test was to have a professional racing driver discern the true nature of the car. Facing the E 53 on a closed forest road on a dark winter’s morning in Hokkaido, Taniguchi’s first impression was the excellent styling and design.
“First of all, I thought it was cool. I’d been interested in SUVs recently, but this was the first time I’d seen a nice saloon in a while. Next, when I opened the door and got in, I was impressed by how modern and sophisticated the dashboard was.”
The front fenders are 20mm wider than the standard E-Class, the specially designed large-opening front apron, and the front design, featuring AMG-exclusive vertical louvers and an illuminated radiator grille, assert that the E 53 is in a different dimension from the regular E-Class. Meanwhile, the interior, with its sports seats that protrude from the side supports and provide a high level of hold, suggests extraordinary performance. Naturally, it is equipped with the latest third-generation MBUX Gen20x, and combined with the super screen (optional) that extends to the passenger dashboard, it creates a next-generation space that combines performance and beauty.
Experience overwhelming performance
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[1] Although the snow has been cleared, there are snow banks on the roadside and the road is narrow. Even in such conditions, the Mercedes-AMG E 53 HYBRID 4MATIC+ (PHEV) demonstrates stable driving. The vertically oriented front grille is very AMG-like. [2] The Dynamic Select function, which significantly changes the car’s character, can be adjusted using the dial on the steering wheel. [3] The engine is the M256M 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder turbo engine.
Taniguchi dashed out onto the forest road. Although the snow had been cleared, walls of snow loomed on both sides of the packed road, making the road narrow. However, even in these harsh conditions, the E 53 performed beautifully. After driving the approximately 3km course several times, Taniguchi shared his impressions.
“Driving it on snowy roads really brought home the overwhelming performance of the 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder twin-turbo engine’s maximum output and maximum torque. And yet, I was surprised at how easy and comfortable this high performance was to use. The engine produces a pleasant sound when you step on the gas, but it’s quiet when running on motor power, and the cabin is also very quiet. The suspension also conveys road information just right while blocking out unpleasant vibrations, making it extremely comfortable. You won’t get tired even on long drives.”
The E 53 is a plug-in hybrid model powered by an M256M 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder turbo engine, a high-output motor, and a large-capacity lithium-ion battery. The engine alone produces a maximum output of 449 PS (330 kW) and a maximum torque of 560 Nm. Combined with the high-output motor built into the transmission (AMG Speedshift TCT 9G transmission), the system boasts a maximum output of 585 PS (430 kW) and a maximum torque of 750 Nm.
Not just for improved environmental performance
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[1] The interior design is the latest Mercedes. *The photo shows a European-spec vehicle. [2] It delivers stable driving even on snowy roads where the road surface friction changes from moment to moment, and even when braking.
The drivetrain is an important factor when driving on snow. The E 53 being tested on snow this time is equipped with the AMG 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive system to fully demonstrate its high performance, and in the hands of a professional driver, this performance was fully demonstrated.
“The E 53’s powerful acceleration on snowy roads is due to its excellent traction. The AMG 4MATIC+ instantly adjusts the torque between the front and rear, so there’s no need to worry about getting stuck, giving you a sense of security. Furthermore, when accelerating, the motor gives the impression of delicately controlling the low-speed range. The precision of the control was particularly striking in Snow mode.”
A good driver will quickly sense such a strange feeling. Taniguchi saw through the fact that the plug-in hybrid system provided by Mercedes-AMG is not simply for improving environmental performance. He also mentioned the equipment that enhances the driving performance unique to the E 53.
“Along with AWD, rear axle steering is also important. It feels natural when driving and functions exactly as the driver imagines. It has just the right balance, neither turning too much nor not turning enough. In addition, the electronically controlled limited slip differential (LSD) on the rear makes traction more effective.”
The rear axle steering allows the rear wheels to turn 2.5 degrees in the opposite direction to the front wheels at speeds below 100 km/h, making for tighter turning, and 0.7 degrees in the same direction at speeds above 100 km/h, increasing stability. In this test, we confirmed that the system maintains high stability while improving handling performance and effectively transmitting the E 53’s inherent high power to the road.
Easy to use, combining high performance and comfort
The Mercedes-AMG E 53 HYBRID 4MATIC+ (PHEV) performed well in limit performance tests on snow.
The sun sets early in Hokkaido in winter. The end of the test was fast approaching. Finally, I asked him for some tips on driving on snowy roads like this one.
“Driving on snow is difficult because it requires instantaneous judgment of the situation. This time, we drove on a special course, so we drove it multiple times as if it were a circuit, but normally, when driving on a road for the first time, you have to judge in an instant whether it is packed snow or icy. The powertrain’s excellent response allows us to respond instantly and accurately to that judgment of the situation.”
This is truly a high-performance hybrid saloon. As a plug-in hybrid equipped with a large lithium-ion battery, the car weighs 2.4 tons, making it heavyweight, but it is also worth noting that the driving experience did not make you feel that way. In fact, this, combined with the long wheelbase, contributes to a sense of stability in the car’s behavior.
“When I selected EL mode with Dynamic Select, the car was mainly driven by the motor, and the only sound I could hear was the sound of the tires on the snow. It was refreshing to be enveloped in silence. Even in EL mode, the engine starts when I step on the accelerator, but if I drive quietly, I can travel 101 km (WLTC mode*) on the motor alone. This means that if I normally only drive 100 km, I can travel without using gasoline. It can be said that the E 53 is not only great at driving, but also very convenient.”
“The E 53 is a versatile vehicle that can be used in a variety of situations, combining beautiful looks, high driving performance and comfort, and the practicality of EV driving,” Taniguchi concluded, gazing at the E 53 standing on a snowy road as the sun set. “That’s the conclusion we came to about the E 53 during our snow test.”
* EV-equivalent driving distance (equivalent EV range / Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism certified value)
* EV-equivalent driving distance (equivalent EV range, WLTC mode) is the value under specified test conditions. The WLTC mode is an international driving mode that consists of urban, suburban and highway driving modes with an average usage time allocation. The figures will vary greatly depending on the customer's usage environment (weather, traffic congestion, etc.) and driving method (sudden acceleration, use of air conditioning, etc.). They are particularly affected by daily driving distance, battery charge state and air conditioning use.
DRIVING/Nobuteru TANIGUCHI
PHOTO/Akio HIRANO
For more information on the Mercedes-AMG E 53 HYBRID 4MATIC+ (PHEV), click here.
SPECIFICATIONS
Mercedes-AMG E 53 HYBRID 4MATIC+ (PHEV)
MP202501
Body size: Length 4970, Width 1900, Height 1475mm
Wheelbase: 2960mm
Vehicle weight: 2390kg
Engine: 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder engine
Total displacement: 2996cc
Maximum engine output: 330kW (449PS) / 5800-6100rpm
Maximum engine torque: 560Nm / 2200-5000rpm
Motor: AC synchronous motor
Maximum motor output: 120kW / 2400-6800rpm
Maximum motor torque: 480Nm / 0-2400rpm
Battery: Lithium-ion battery
Maximum system output: 430kW (585PS)
Maximum system torque: 750Nm
Transmission: Electronically controlled 9-speed A/T
Drive system: AWD
Suspension type: Front 4-link, rear multi-link
Brakes: Front and rear ventilated discs
Tire size: Front 265/40R20 Rear 295/35R20
Environmental performance: 11.5km/L (WLTC)
Vehicle price: 16.98 million yen
*Fuel consumption rates are values measured under specified test conditions. Fuel consumption rates vary depending on the customer's usage environment (weather, traffic congestion, etc.) and driving method (sudden acceleration, use of air conditioning, etc.).
The WITC mode is an international driving mode that combines urban, suburban, and highway driving modes with average usage time allocation. Urban mode assumes relatively slow driving that is affected by traffic lights and traffic congestion, suburban mode assumes driving that is not affected much by traffic lights and traffic congestion, and highway mode assumes driving on highways, etc.
[Inquiries]
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https://www.mercedes-benz.co.jp/
Business hours: 8:00-20:00, 365 days a year
*Service may be suspended due to system maintenance, etc. Please note in advance.
