Mercedes India Returns To Open-top Motoring With New AMG E 53 Cabriolet

• AMG E 53 Cabrio is the convertible version of the two-door E-Class sold overseas. 

• Gets a 435PS 3-litre petrol engine paired with a 4Matic+ AWD mild-hybrid drivetrain. 

• The inline-six cylinder engine lets the E 53 Cabrio accelerate from 0-100kmph in 4.5 seconds. 

After a hiatus, Mercedes has brought back the luxury convertible to India with the new AMG E 53 4Matic+ Cabriolet. We’ve had the E-Class convertible previously in India, but it’s the first time the carmaker has brought its AMG-badged, performance-oriented convertible version to the country. 

Imported as a completely built-up unit (CBU), the car is priced at Rs 1.3 crore. That makes it Rs 24 lakh more expensive than the AMG E-Class sedan that costs Rs 1.06 crore (all prices ex-showroom).

Mercedes-AMG E 53 Cabrio design and features 

The E 53 Cabriolet is a sleek, low-slung convertible with a shorter length and wheelbase than the four-door E-Class sedan we get in India, which is a long-wheelbase model. Its roof can be retracted or closed at speeds of up to 50kmph and takes around 20 seconds to do so, fitting neatly under the rear deck when not in use. 

Mercedes is offering the AMG E 53 Cabrio in five colours: White Bright, Blue Magno, Obsidian Black, Red Bright and Selenite Grey. The soft top is available in black, dark blue, dark brown and red shades and the interior can be had in three trim options: AMG carbon-fibre, wood grain and aluminium and, grey open-pore ash wood. 

Being a luxury four-seater, the E 53 is equipped with premium features such as a 13-speaker Burmester sound system, active noise cancellation, dual 12.3-inch screens for the infotainment and driver’s instrumentation and a heads-up display (HUD). The safety suite comprises seven airbags and driver-assistance features such as adaptive cruise control, pop-up roll bar and attention assist.

Performance and specs

Under the bonnet, the AMG E 53 has a 3-litre inline six-cylinder petrol engine (with mild-hybrid assist) that makes 435PS and 520Nm on its own. It works with a 22PS e-motor delivering 250Nm (that assists during hard acceleration) to deliver a nought to 100kmph time of 4.5 seconds.

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The AMG E 53 Cabriolet is the only convertible in its segment, rivalling sports sedans such as the BMW M4, Porsche Panamera and the Audi S5 Sportback.