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

The £61,835, straight-six-powered E53 is on sale now, and it replaces the short-lived E43
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.

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

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.

Mercedes has also tweaked the interior of the car, adding the company's new steering wheel design into the mix
Mercedes has also tweaked the interior of the car, adding the company's…

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.

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Comments

Chewbacca_buddy (McLaren squad)(VW GTI Clubsport)(McLaren 60

I w

04/27/2018 - 11:41 |
2 | 0
Chewbacca_buddy (McLaren squad)(VW GTI Clubsport)(McLaren 60

In reply to by Chewbacca_budd…

I wish they would sell it in the US

04/27/2018 - 11:42 |
10 | 0

“I w” - Chewbacca_buddy 2018

04/27/2018 - 11:46 |
44 | 0
jdm-supra-1600(md squad)(Supra squad leader)

Put a v8 then

04/27/2018 - 11:43 |
46 | 6

Honestly, I think M550i is a way better choice. M Performance V8, 0-60 under 4 seconds. Kinda suprised that the new Mercedes engine only shrink 0-60 time by 0.2 second.

04/27/2018 - 16:35 |
2 | 4

That’s just the E63S

04/27/2018 - 17:00 |
10 | 0
5:19.55

Party mode?

04/27/2018 - 11:55 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

Im so confused, is it like Audi s models and RS models and merc came up with a smaller number? I thought the e63 got replaced…………… Bmw please dun do dis

04/27/2018 - 11:56 |
0 | 0
Nishant Dash

Ooh straight sixes are back 😍

04/27/2018 - 11:57 |
128 | 2
Jakob

Great to see the straight-six making a return. It’s a so much better design than a V6 in terms of running smoothness.

04/27/2018 - 12:01 |
26 | 0
Tomislav Celić

In reply to by Jakob

Packaging is the only problem

04/27/2018 - 12:25 |
4 | 2
Stubaru

Mmmmmk

04/27/2018 - 12:33 |
0 | 0
Mr.PurpleV12

Straight 6 AMG?

Me like

04/27/2018 - 12:41 |
2 | 0
ShadowHuayra (HemiPower)

It’s good to see straight 6s making a sort of comeback

04/27/2018 - 12:50 |
4 | 0
boi_

I love straight 6s much more than V6s

04/27/2018 - 13:08 |
2 | 0