While 577bhp and 553lb-ft from a straight-six hybrid powertrain is plentiful as standard, Brabus’s latest upgrade options for the Mercedes-AMG E 53 turn things up a notch. Headlining the customisation range is the new PowerXtra B53 tuning box which adds new fuel injection and ignition maps, and increases boost pressure to liberate additional performance from the 3.0-litre turbocharged engine. 

Power rises from 443 up to 530bhp, while torque increases from 413 to 487lb-ft. Although the 161bhp and 354lb-ft from the electric motor remains the same, total system output increases to 691bhp and 627lb-ft (850Nm) of torque. Performance is sent to all four wheels through a 9-speed automatic transmission.

The E 53 isn’t the lightest car to begin with, but despite its 2.3-tonne kerb weight, 0-62mph requires just 3.6 seconds, and the car will keep on accelerating rapidly up to its 174mph limited top speed. When the Autobahn leads to Aldershot, the plug-in hybrid can call upon its 28.6kWh capacity battery and gearbox-mounted electric motor for propulsion. As standard, the E53 can return up to 60 electric-only miles, and we expect a marginal decrease for Brabus-tuned examples.

Specially-developed height-adjustable springs can lower the car between 15 and 30mm, and allow the car to take advantage of its adaptive suspension, and all-wheel steering. Five 21” alloy wheel designs are available, with the cars pictured on Monoblock Z ten-spoke, and Monoblock M disc wheels. The tyres measure 265/35 and 305/30 at the front and rear respectively, with rubber supplied by Continental, Hankook, or Pirelli.

In addition to performance enhancements, the styling can be customised with a range of carbon fibre styling components, and a choice of matte or gloss finishes are available. The grille, air inlets, front splitter, side skirts, and rear diffuser with four 90mm-diameter titanium/carbon exhaust pipes can make the once subtle performance saloon and estate stand out, and that’s before the illuminated Brabus badge in the grille lights up. For the four-door model, an enlarged lip spoiler can be added to improve downforce at high speeds.

The cabin of the E 53 can get the Brabus touch with new floor mats, pedals, and backlit stainless steel door sill plates. Two versions are available: one backlit in white, and the other that matches the multicolour ambient lighting setting. For customers that would prefer greater customisation, the cabin can be precisely reupholstered with a wide range of colours and quilting designs for the leather seats.

Pricing is yet to be revealed for individual styling components, or the PowerXtra tuning kit, but the order books are open now, and all Brabus parts come with a three-year or 62,000 mile warranty for extra peace of mind to go with the enhanced performance.

True to form, Brabus has added a healthy dose of performance to an already high-performance car. UK deliveries of the Mercedes-AMG E 53 Hybrid began late last year, and if any owners are missing the outright pace of the E 63 S that came before it, Brabus has the answer with its 691bhp tuning package.