Knowing the idiosyncrasies of any car manufacturer’s model naming system is black-belt-grade car nerd-ism - yet Mercedes-AMG’s current naming convention is enough to send any Carate practitioner cross-eyed.

The chaos can be traced back to the introduction of the iconic M156 6.2-litre V8 in the E63 super-saloon of 2006. Traditionally, an AMG product always had the series classification followed by the engine capacity, but such was the stir created by this mighty naturally aspirated V8, its “63” designation stuck around for the later downsized, but no less bombastic M177 4.0L biturbo V8. In the current C63, the engine bay has been gelded again to the same 2.0-litre, turbocharged four-cylinder as the A45 AMG hatch, much to the derision of fans of the marque. Blame Brussels.

Among the variety of 63 models, AMG introduced a new range to compete with the BMW “M-lites” and Audi S-models so all naming logic went out the window. Cue the A250 Sport Engineered by AMG, C450 AMG and the GLE450 AMG, before the names were changed again as the AMG 43 and 35 range were introduced a couple of years later. Replacing the short-lived E 43 and slotting under the range-topping E 63 almost apologetically, was the E 53 with its 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged mild hybrid straight six and 435 bhp. The new E 53 however, suddenly finds itself in the spotlight because there will be no more V8 E 63s - the future 700+ bhp M5-rivalling monster is rumoured to utilise the same straight six but a different hybrid system to this car.

We all knew the V8 was out thanks to emissions - all good things must end at some point. A V8 fix from AMG now starts with an S, SL or GT. Or carries a winged Aston Martin Badge. No doubt there will be a silly SUV in that mix, but who cares?

2024 Mercedes-AMG E53 - Powertrain and Performance

So, to give the new 2024 Mercedes-AMG E 53 HYBRID 4MATIC+ its full title, what exactly can interested parties expect? A significant jump in power and performance over the old 429 bhp car, that's for sure. The straight six itself might only be up by 14 bhp thanks to a new turbocharger increasing boost from 1.1 bar to 1.5, but the addition of a 158 bhp electric motor lifts the total output to 577 bhp and 750 Nm (553 lb ft).

If you’re thinking that doesn’t add up and it doesn’t quite match the output of the E 63, you’re correct as the full 603 bhp is delivered in “Race Start” mode, which is only available as a part of the AMG Dynamic Plus Package. Thus equipped, 0-62 mph takes 3.8 seconds and the traditional 155 mph limiter is raised to 174 mph. Power is sent to all four wheels via AMG’s 9-speed “speedshift” twin-clutch automatic.

The compact electric motor is located between the engine block and the gearbox, and fed by a 28.6 kWh battery, of which 7.38 kWh are always reserved for “boosting performance driving” - even with 0% charge showing in the E 53, full power for overtaking can still be called upon. The remaining 21.22 kWh are enough to give the E 53 an electric propulsion range of over 60 miles in optimum conditions with the ability to reach 87 mph. The car can be recharged in around 3 hours using a home wall box or topped up in 20 minutes using a 60 kW DC input. Using regenerative braking, the E 53 can feed power back into the battery at up to 120 kW - double the input from DC charging. The model is configured to always start in silent electric mode until a pressure trigger is passed in the haptic throttle pedal - a far cry from the V8 bellow of the M156 or M177!