Powerful new coupe has everything you’d ever want from a Mercedes
This is the Dream Machine, the kind of legendary car that springs to mind as soon as someone mentions Mercedes Benz.
The AMG E53 Coupe in my driveway is long and sleek. It is a 21st century car with all the tech and systems to claim that title and, yes, it is a sort of hybrid.
This time, however, Mercedes is using the alternative fuel source, not to replace part of the powertrain – but to boost it.
The new 3.0-litre bi-turbo engine in this car gets an extra 22PS with Mercedes’ EQ Boost technology and given that it already delivers 435PS, that’s a lot of performance going on.
EQ is the designation Mercedes has applied to its electric range whether it be cars, wallboxes or new innovative tech coming down the l ine. Any thing with the EQ nomenclature w i l l have the company’s Electric Intelligence in its make-up somewhere.
I have previously driven the EQC 400 – an SUV bodyshaped electric car – but this E53 in my driveway is an altogether different beast.
It is the latest in the 50-year line of fast Benz coupes,oupes, luxury cars with the kind of performance drivers only dreamm of and, in true coupe style, it boasts only two doors a nd fou r beautiful lyy l u x u r iou s seats.
It looks thehe part with itsts elegant lineses stretching along the car, and deep air intakes. The AMG finish is sophisticated and desirable and it all sits on 20ins alloys with privacy glass at the back.
Inside there is black k
Nappa leather w ith h contrasting red stitching and a red band around the steersteering ing wheel. And then there is the feature that always does it for me – fabulous red seatbelts. Why they generally always have to be in black remains a mystery.
They stretch forward to meet you as you get in and the memory function will adjust the seat automatically as you belt up.
And then you depress the button and get the marvellous sound of that 3.0-litre engine throbbing away, press your foot to the floor and the electric boost kicks in to give you remarkable take-off.
This car is a thing of beauty to look at and a total joy to drive.
It comes with a slick and smooth nine-speed automatic transmission, the AMG performance exhaust system and AMG ride control sports suspension.
Fitted with 4MATIC+, for most of the time it will throw power to the rear wheels but it will deliver power to the other wheels when necessary in difficult driving conditions.
There are various driving modes to suit your mood or the terrain and safety features.
I successfully switched the driving mode to ‘slippery’ when the outside elements proved tricky and it worked, but there are also Individual , Comfort, Sport and Sport+ driving modes.
It comes with a 360 degree camera, DAB, the excel lent Mercedes COMAND system for all your needs, wireless charging and the usual connectivity.
However, in this car those are not the features that really concern me. This is a car I want to drive and for a long time. I want to take it north and south, over hill and glen, staying at the wheel and just enjoying it.
It is glamorous, bold,comfortable and ppowerful. There is little else you y could wish for.