Mercedes-Benz has added a new top-end petrol and a new diesel engine to its E-Class range.
Top of the newcomers is the Mercedes-AMG E 53 4MATIC+. Replacing the previous E43 and costing from £62,835 as a coupé, £69,285 for the cabriolet, the car is powered by a 3.0-litre biturbo in-line six-cylinder petrol engine.
This uses Mercedes’ latest mild hybrid system, called EQ Boost, in the starter motor that can add 20hp and 350Nm of torque to the 435hp and 520Nm generated by the engine. It is combined with a nine-speed auto transmission and all-wheel drive.
The E 53 coupé hits 62mph from rest two-tenths quicker than the previous E 43, taking 4.4 seconds, with the cabriolet a single tenth slower. Both are limited to a 155mph top speed, though the options list includes an AMG Driver’s Package increasing the top speed to 168mph.
Coupé efficiency figures are 32.5 combined mpg and CO2 emissions of 203g/km, the drop-top returning 32.1mpg and 20 g/km.
The powertrain is also offered in the CLS 53 coupe saloon, which costs from £74,050 and sprints through 62mph in 4.5 seconds, returning 31.7mpg with CO2 emissions of 203g/km.
Also new is the E 400 d 4MATIC diesel, offered in both saloon and estate form at £52,685 and £54,685 respectively and replacing the previous 350 d engine.
The 3.0-litre straight-six turbodiesel puts out 340hp and 700Nm, compared to the 258hp and 620Nm of its predecessor and good for a 4.9-second 0-62mph time (5.1 sec for the estate). The saloon returns 48.7mpg and 154g/km, the estate 46.3mpg and 161g/km.
