Mercedes-Benz’s Latest Sedan Proves AMG’s Future Is Plug-In Hybrids

Mercedes backed off going all-electric. But that doesn’t mean the brand won’t use batteries.

Mercedes AMG E 53 hybrid driving through the mountains.

Published March 11, 2024

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Mercedes-Benz recently backed off its plans to go all-electric by 2030. But that doesn’t mean batteries aren’ going to play a central role in Mercedes’s future — especially over at the brand’s high-performance arm, AMG.

Mercedes-AMG just unveiled the 2025 E 53 Hybrid, which packs a substantial 28.6-kWh plug-in hybrid battery pack. And it’s the latest indicator that the pinnacle of AMG performance will be electrified — if not entirely electric for now.

The Mercedes-AMG E 53 Hybrid delivers serious performance

The AMG E 53 Hybrid packs a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six gas engine enhanced to 443 horsepower from the outgoing model’s 429 hp. An electric motor adds 161 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque. The combined output of 577 hp (604 hp in “race start” mode, a.k.a. launch control) and 553 lb-ft of torque can propel the vehicle from 0-60 mph in 3.7 seconds and to a top speed of 174 mph when equipped with the AMG Driver’s package.

Unlike other PHEVs, the E 53 Hybrid’s battery will not be tuned to deliver maximum range. Mercedes says 7.2 kWh of the 28.6-kWh pack will always be reserved to enhance engine performance.

And it likely signals the AMG E 63 will need to go hybrid to keep up

The AMG E 53 Hybrid’s max 604 hp is one horsepower above the outgoing AMG E 63 model with its thunderous twin-turbo V8. Performance figures aren’t equal, however; the AMG E 63 packs 74 more lb-ft of torque and a quicker 0-60 mph time of 3.4 seconds (3.0 seconds in Car and Driver testing).

However, the closeness strongly suggests the AMG E 63 will have to go PHEV to produce a corresponding gain.

Mercedes E 53 hybrid taillight — No blue hybrid badging here. AMG’s new hybrids use an angry red as a statement of intent.

The E 63 going hybrid fits with the broader trend at Mercedes-AMG

We’ve already seen AMG going PHEV with its other top-flight vehicles. The C 63 S E Performance packs a maniacal 671 hp and 752 lb-ft of torque with a 2.0-liter turbo inline-four PHEV setup. The S 63 E Performance brings an even wilder 4.0-liter turbo V8 PHEV system to the party with an even wilder 791 hp and 1,055 lb-ft of torque.

And it fits with what rival four-door performance manufacturers like BMW and Porsche are doing

And Mercedes isn’t the only German manufacturer supplementing its powerful four-door with batteries. The next-generation BMW M5 should use a 700-plus hp V8 plug-in hybrid setup like the BMW XM crossover. Porsche’s new Panamera will also employ a twin-turbo V8 PHEV arrangement, putting out 670 hp and 685 lb-ft of torque. Bottom line: expect the future of German heavy metal to have spots for both gas nozzles and electric plugs.