ROARING FIFTIES (some text hidden) --NONE--

By Jonathan Crouch

Introductionword count: 121

The Mercedes-AMG E 53 4MATIC+ Saloon and Estate models offer a rare kind of performance sporting confection if you're looking for a fast saloon or station wagon from the 2018-2023 period from the full-sized Executive segment. Not only can either body shape sprint to 62mph in 4.5s to the accompaniment of an emotive soundtrack, but the E 53 package also gives you a relatively efficient mild hybrid engine and there's all the usual E-Class quality and practicality. The result is a pretty special and rather different sporting executive drive experience, especially if you can stretch to the post-2020 facelift models. There's a sense of class, quality and style here that makes these E 53 variants almost unique at their price point.

Modelsword count: 10

4dr Saloon / 5dr Estate (3.0 petrol [E400/E 53 AMG])

Historyword count: 162

The W213-series Mercedes-AMG E 53 4MATIC+ Saloon and Estate models were first launched in 2018, then lightly updated two years later. The E 53 wasn't the first relatively affordable Mercedes-AMG version of the W213 generation E-Class Saloon and Estate; these '53' variants directly replaced E 43 4MATIC versions of this design, which had a V6 engine and 367hp. Here though, you sense that Mercedes' Afalterbach luxury division got itself a lot more serious about developing this car. The switch to 'E 53' status saw a change to inline six cylinder power and a power hike to 435hp at the same time as this E-Class variant future-proofed itself with a switch to mild hybrid technology. Add in the smarter exterior look and higher quality cabin that came with this model's mid-2020 upgrade and potentially, you've got quick a desirable performance package. The 'W213'-series E 53 saloon and estate sold until mid-2023, after which a new sixth generation version of this model was launched.

What You Getword count: 681

In saloon and estate form, the E 53 is marked out from humbler E-Class models by a bonnet with two distinctive power domes, plus there are large outer air inlets with two cross louvres - and a smart front apron finished either in silver chrome or high gloss black. There's a proper AMG vertically-slatted grille too, flanked by headlamps featuring the brand's advanced MULTIBEAM Intelligent Light System. In profile, the wings feature 'BITURBO 4MATIC+' badging and you get AMG side sill panels and rear privacy glass. The aerodynamically optimised wheels are bespoke too of course, with AMG lettering on the black calipers; you get tantalite grey 19-inch rims with a '5-twin-spoke' design on the standard 'Premium' model; or larger twin-spoke matt black 20-inchers on the plusher 'Night Edition Premium Plus' variant, which also gets a high gloss black finish for the mirrors and the waistline trim strip. The key identifying feature at the tail end is the round twin tailpipe trim, offered either in high-gloss chrome - or black chrome in the case of the 'Night Edition Premium Plus' variant. The pipes sit within a diffuser-style AMG rear apron. Both variants get a body-coloured AMG spoiler, which is subtly roof-mounted with the estate body shape. Inside, the E 53 gets a package of AMG-specific appointments, luxurious materials and the brand's MBUX infotainment system. The scene is set by branded sports seats in black Nappa leather, featuring either silver or red contrast stitching. And built upon by bespoke trimming (either black open-pore ash wood or carbon fibre), plus stainless steel pedals and AMG lettering for the floor mats and scuff plates. There's also a lovely multi-coloured ambient lighting system, with LED strips along the bottom of the fascia, on the door cards and along the side of the centre console that give the cabin a very special feel after dark. We're not sure that the post-facelift model's redesigned race-style AMG Performance steering wheel was much of an improvement. It's, shall we say, rather complex, with no fewer than 22 individual touch-sensitive controllers and two sliders on its four spokes. You'll need to get the handbook out. As with other E-Class models, the two displays for the instrument cluster and the central screen blend beneath a shared glass cover to form the so-called 'Widescreen Cockpit'. For the 12.3-inch instrument cluster, it's possible to choose between the three AMG display styles - "Modern Classic", "Sport" and "Supersport". The "Supersport" mode is particularly striking, with a central, round rev counter and additional information presented in the form of bars to the left and right of it. The MBUX central infotainment screen, also 12.3-inches in size and presented in this model with a bespoke AMG start-up screen, includes everything you'd expect, including one of the segment's best voice control systems and a navigation system using the brand's clever 'augmented reality' system. This is effectively a live camera feed of the road ahead overlaid with house numbers, road names, direction arrows and other useful bits of information that'll help you find your way. In the rear, passenger space is generous. If the front passengers have their seats at the lowest setting, you might find room for your feet slightly limited, but otherwise the rear foot wells are big and broad. The upholstery's supportively contoured too, holding you in a little more firmly than is usual, though that does mean a little less comfort for anyone who has to sit in the middle, legs splayed around the rather prominent central transmission tunnel. The boot gets automatic operation for the boot lid or tailgate. The saloon offers a 540-litre trunk - with the estate, that figure rises to 640-litres, which is more than you'd get from any other full-executive segment station wagon. If you need to take longer items, the rear backrest on both saloon and estate models usefully divides 40:20:40 so you can, if necessary, push longer items like skis through without disturbing rear-seated folk. If you flatten the rear bench, using the cargo sidewall levers, then on the estate model, 1,820-litres of space can be freed up.

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