Beginning its 2023 launch innings with a big bang, Mercedes-Benz has launched its all-new Mercedes-AMG E 53 4Matic+ Cabriolet at a price of INR 1.30 Crore (ex-showroom) in India. In this detailed first look, we bring you a complete analysis of what it has to offer and why the E 53 Cabriolet is the last of a dying breed of sports cars.
Why Is It Important
The Mercedes AMG E 53 Cabriolet isn’t just another German convertible. It is in fact one of the few four-seat convertibles and the only performance-oriented convertible Grand Touring car available in the market today – new, off the showroom floor. In fact, the only real competition it has in India are the BMW M4 and BMW M8. While the former barely qualifies as practical, the latter costs double the price. And none of them are convertibles, either. In essence, the new Mercedes-AMG E53 Cabriolet is the last of a dying breed of fast, comfortable four-seat convertibles.
Isn’t The Mercedes-AMG E 53 4Matic+ Sedan Cheaper By 26 Lakh?
Yes, it is. In a country like India, expensive and sporty vehicles are mostly reserved for three situations – BIC track days, Sunday morning drives or days with pleasant weather. In those situations, you would want a vehicle for which you pay over INR 1 Crore to be truly special. While the E 53 sedan is an extremely capable vehicle, in terms of road presence – it is just an E-Class sedan to the eyes of non-enthusiastic onlookers. A loud, four-seat convertible with the roof down, on the other hand, is a rolling occasion. It makes you feel special. Both cars get the same 3.0-litre twin-turbo Inline-6 cylinder with 430bhp and 520Nm of peak torque. However, Mercedes-AMG has also added a mild-hybrid system to the mix – giving you an extra 22bhp and 250Nm of torque under hard acceleration. While all this may not justify the added cost, there’s only one among the duo which will feel special with the top down – at slow speeds or at full-pelt on a race track. Again, the asking price for the Cabriolet over the sedan can buy you a premium on its own but if you’re trying to justify the upgrade to the convertible – it probably isn’t the car for you.
Performance Highlights
As aforementioned, the new Mercedes-AMG E 53 4Matic+ Cabriolet draws juice from a potent 3.0-litre inline-6 cylinder twin-turbo petrol engine. While the engine on its own is good for 430bhp and 520Nm of peak torque. With the addition of the EQ boost function, the combined power output goes up to 452bhp and 770Nm of peak torque. Mercedes-AMG claims a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 4.5 seconds, which is plenty fast for anyone with a serious need for speed in India. On top of that, you also get the added benefit of Mercedes’ excellent
4matic+ all-wheel drive system to help make it an all-weather sports car. While sports cars like BMW M4 and Jaguar F-Type are best reserved for a sunny winter day or pleasant summer morning, the E 53 4Matic+ will have no qualms about being driven hard under any circumstances. Adding to its GT credentials, you even get an active suspension setup to make night-time cruises a comfortable experience and laps around the race track a thrilling ride.
Head Turning Design
Like recent launches from Mercedes-AMG, the front end of the new E 53 Cabriolet also features the signature Panamericana grille as the AMG GT and E53 sedan, flanked by the distinctive LED headlight design. That is where the similarities between the design of the coupe and convertible end. The E 53 Cabriolet gets a more flowing body line which ends at the raked boot lid, giving you the impression of speed even when it’s just standing still. Other highlights include multi-colour configurable soft-top, duck-tail AMG rear spoiler, quad-tip exhausts and sporty 19- or 20-inch alloy wheel options. While a sedan with some sporty bits attached is perfect for those who want speed but wish to remain anonymous. A bright and loud convertible is what you get when you wish to make a statement. In our opinion, the new E53 Convertible is one of the best options that will help you do so with ease.
E-Class interior design & features
Not only is the E53 Cabriolet one of the best performance machines available in the market, it is also the only real convertible grand touring option available today. So, what makes a grand touring machine truly special? A comfortable and feature-laden interior. When it comes to the Mercedes-AMG E 53 Cabriolet, you get body-hugging Nappa leather AMG-specific seats, a Burmester 13-speaker sound system, Digital Cockpit which incorporates two 12.3-inch digital screens to practically control everything, easy- folding electric passenger seat for easy access to the second row, electric wind deflector at the front and back to make topless journey quiet and comfortable. Over that, one of the best features is the eye-grabbing AMG leather steering wheel which gets controls for entertainment and performance adjustment on-the-fly. While Mercedes-AMG has really nailed the exterior design of the sporty 4-seat convertible, the company has knocked it out of the park with the interior. It is comfortable for long journeys, adaptable to the race track or canyon carving ergonomics, and special enough to distinguish itself over the standard version of the car. If feeling in control and special is important to you – you’ll get that in spades with this car.
OUTRO
Mercedes-AMG could have very well avoided the introduction of the E 53 4Matic+ Cabriolet in India. However, the company has recognized its importance even in a budget-conscious market like India. With cars of similar stature now just a pipedream among Indian auto enthusiasts – the E 53 Cabriolet is among the last of a kind, holding up the flag for all 4-seat convertible sports cars. The price tag of INR 1.30 Crore (ex-showroom) will definitely be a bitter pill for those who want all the power with less glamour. However, for those who want a fast, comfortable, four-seat GT car that is relatively less expensive – the Mercedes-AMG E 53 4Matic+ is the only choice you have.
