The Mercedes-AMG E53 Is Here And It's Killed Off The V6-Powered E43

The Mercedes-AMG E43 hasn’t even been on sale two years, but it’s already for the chop. With 400bhp from a twin-turbo V6, the ‘43 version of the E-Class has always represented an intriguing alternative to the bananas E63, but its run has been ended rather abruptly by the new ‘53’ straight-six.

First announced earlier this year, the E53 is slightly more powerful than its V6-powered predecessor with a total of 429bhp on tap. But, it has an extra little trick up its sleeve: via a 48-volt mild hybrid setup, it’s able to give a very brief 21bhp and 184lb ft boost under heavy acceleration. Nope, the latter figure is not a typo.

0-62mph happens in 4.4 seconds, 0.2sec quicker than the old E43 and - amazingly - just 0.3sec slower than the old rear-wheel drive E63.

Mercedes has just revealed pricing for the car, along with confirmation that it does indeed replace the V6-powered 43. You’re looking at £61,835 for the saloon, and £63,835 for the estate - increases of around £6000 relative to the cars they replace.

So, more money for a much clever engine with more power and a fancy boost function. All well and good, but we weren’t exactly bowled over by the straight-six when we first tried it in the CLS53 a few weeks ago. It’s nice and refined, but is it a proper AMG engine? We’re not so sure.

The V6 on the other hand was always a surprisingly raucous, sweet-sounding thing, so it’s a shame to see it go. It will however live on - for now, at least - in the recently updated C43.