A Powertrain That Delivers Like a Large-Displacement Naturally Aspirated Engine

Kintaro Ueno, President of the company, stated at the press conference, "All Mercedes models released in the past three months have sold exceptionally well. The new "G-Class" is already sold out for the year, and the new "CLS," which hints at Mercedes' future design direction, is also performing strongly. The new "C-Class," with its 6,500 improvements, is selling 25 percent better than last year." Regarding AMG, he added, "Our entry-level 43 Series is leading sales. With the addition of the 48V electrical system, the 53 Series further pursues a high-level balance of performance, comfort, driving pleasure, and environmental performance."

Next, Renato Niegmann, who joined the company in 2012 and has served as a bridge between Japan and Germany, was assigned to the AMG Division of the Marketing Communications Department in August of this year. He introduced the "53 Series," fluently stating in Japanese, "The powertrain, featuring an inline 6-cylinder engine, ISG, and 48V electrical system, delivers performance truly like a large-displacement naturally aspirated engine." Let's look at the details.


The ISG is an electric motor with a maximum output of 16 kW and a maximum torque of 250 Nm, positioned between the engine and transmission, and it combines the functions of an alternator and starter. This motor, coupled with the 48V electrical system, generates electricity through regenerative braking, charges a lithium-ion battery of approximately 1 kWh, and provides power assistance at low RPMs. Furthermore, the electrical system, boosted to 48V, enables a starter that suppresses vibration during engine start-up, idling that maintains low RPMs, and gear changes completed in minimal time, contributing to efficiency, comfort, and quietness.

The 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder "M256" engine, mounted at the front, is the first power unit designed with electrification in mind. Combined with a larger turbocharger than the engine used in the "S 450," it produces a maximum output of 435 PS (320 kW) at 6,100 rpm and a maximum torque of 520 Nm between 1,800 and 5,800 rpm (an increase of 68 PS (50 kW) and 20 Nm over the S450). Equipped with an "electric supercharger" for boost at low RPMs, and combined with the aforementioned ISG and an exhaust turbocharger, it achieves agile engine response across all RPM ranges, with a published 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 4.5 seconds.

Mercedes-AMG E 53 4MATIC + | Mercedes-AMG E 53 4MATIC +
Mercedes-AMG CLS 53 4MATIC + | Mercedes-AMG CLS 53 4MATIC +

The Inline-6 Mild-Hybrid Mercedes-AMG 53 Series (2)

Sporty Exterior and Interior Befitting AMG

The drivetrain features the "AMG 4MATIC+" all-wheel-drive system, which optimally distributes power from the high-performance engine to all four wheels. Torque is variably distributed between a 50:50 and 0:100 front-to-rear split, ensuring absolute stability and allowing for intuitive driving. Furthermore, the "AMG RIDE CONTROL+" multi-chamber air suspension automatically adjusts the damping force for each wheel according to driving and road conditions, with three selectable modes: "Comfort," "Sport," and "Sport Plus."

The exterior design of the front section differs depending on the model. The "E-Class Sedan" and "E-Class Station Wagon" feature a diamond grille, while the "E-Class Coupe," "E-Class Cabriolet," and "CLS" adopt a silver chrome twin-blade grille. The front spoiler is equipped with a silver chrome splitter, and the air intake sections are adorned with two silver chrome horizontal fins each, differentiating them from the standard models.

The side profile features air curtains on the CLS, and 20-inch high-gloss black/silver two-tone five twin-spoke alloy wheels, which differ in design between the E-Class and CLS. At the rear, a body-colored trunk lid spoiler lip (except for the station wagon), a large rear diffuser, and circular dual exhaust tips are eye-catching. The CLS also newly incorporates "ULTRA HIGHBEAM," which supplements the high beams. When driving at speeds above 40 km/h, it illuminates with a brightness exceeding 1 lux over a distance of approximately 650 meters or more, enhancing visibility.

The interior is equipped with the AMG Performance Steering Wheel used in the E-Class and S-Class AMG 63 Series, as well as a cockpit display that can be set to "Classic," "Sport," or "Progressive" modes, and AMG menus that display information such as engine/transmission oil temperature, longitudinal/lateral acceleration, engine output/torque, and boost pressure.

Pricing starts at 12.02 million yen for the Mercedes-AMG E 53 4MATIC + Sedan, 12.39 million yen for the Station Wagon, 12.13 million yen for the Coupe, and 12.68 million yen for the Cabriolet. The Mercedes-AMG CLS 53 4MATIC + is priced at 12.74 million yen. Deliveries are scheduled for September for the E-Class Sedan and Station Wagon, October for the CLS, and November for the E-Class Coupe and Cabriolet.