Mercedes-AMG Debuts New 53 Series of Cars and They're All Hybrids

Mercedes-AMG has launched a new 53 series of cars at the 2018 Detroit Auto Show and they’re all electrified hybrids.

The Mercedes-AMG CLS 53, Mercedes-AMG E 53 Coupe, and Mercedes-AMG E 53 Cabriolet will all be powered by a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine that outputs 429 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque. The six-cylinder is augmented by an exhaust gas turbocharger and EQ Boost, a 48-volt electrical system that allows for an additional momentary boost of 21 hp and 184 lb-ft, which should make for ridiculously quick acceleration by eliminating turbo lag (the AMG CLS 53 can get to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds). Each 53 series vehicle will get Mercedes’ nine-speed transmission and fully variable 4Matic+ all-wheel-drive.

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The 48-volt system is one of the most innovative things Mercedes is doing. Most cars typically have a 12-volt battery system and these 53 series of AMG cars have both. EQ Boost will ensure AMG cars still perform like AMG cars even though they are electrified, and yet help achieve better fuel economy in the process. The 12-volt system will still power the car’s electronics like the radio and such, but the 48-volt system works with the powertrain and will open the doors for more hybridization. It will also control the engine’s idle speed and should help make the automatic start/stop smoother.

Visually, the cars get a host of little updates inside and out that differentiate its looks from the regular CLS and E-Class and the higher-end 63 series models. The “widescreen cockpit” made up of two huge 12.3-inch screens behind one single panel of glass comes standard.

Although the 63 series of AMG cars is still our favorite for their symphonic and crazy powerful hand-built twin-turbo V8s, we are excited to see what a hybridized AMG will be like.

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