[vredesbyrd]

Originally Posted by sgm

Those control the race mode, traction etc and there is small round display. This gives more freedom while driving hard than doing it from the center console. This has been the way in AMG cars for quite some time.

Thanks for the info. I was clearly unaware. But still, I'd want to steer clear from a wheel like that

[Venkatesh]

Mercedes-Benz India launched AMG E53 at Rs 1.02 cr, AMG E63S at Rs 1.70 cr (ex showroom)



Here's a look at the specifications of the Mercedes-AMG E 53 that has been brought to India for the first time.



Here's a look at the specifications of the Mercedes-AMG E 63 S with a full-blown Bi-Turbo V8 engine.



Mercedes-AMG E 63 S comes equipped with rear-axle limited slip differential and a Drift mode, so you can pop the tail out and enjoy some thrill of driving.





Mercedes-Benz will offer the AMG Driver's package which unlocks the full potential of the E 63 S 4Matic+ and the top speed goes up to over 300 kmph.



On the inside, both cars get the latest version of the MBUX infotainment system and digital instrument display, both of which offer bespoke AMG display options. There is also a new twin-spoke AMG Performance steering wheel.





Mercedes-Benz offers more than 15,000 combinations with designo for the E 63 S 4Matic+



Mercedes-AMG E53 pictures Link

















Link

[Turbanator]

Here's the brochure. E63 is around same as M5 if we factor the standard leather on E vs 10 Lac extra on the M5.

[Straight6_N54]

Comparing the Price of E53 AMG with the SUV counterpart, it sounds like a steal Rs.1.02Cr. The GLE 53 AMG is currently priced at Rs.1.53 Cr , it was launched for Rs.1.20 Cr in Sept 2020. 33 Lakhs price hike and, 50Lakhs difference from the sedan counterpart.

[316kmph]

Originally Posted by 316kmph

…or Mercedes may make use of the lower tax bracket for the <3000 cc and price aggressively close to the X3M at 99 Lakh and may be even sell 25-30 cars... of course this is wishful... but not unreasonably so…..

Reasonably wishful thought addressed by Mercedes. Let’s see if this gets them the 25-30 cars for the E53 this year!

I plan to TD once a dealership in Chennai gets one.

[amitverma]

I wish they could've gone the BMW way and priced the E53 a bit more competitive. 530d at 73 lacs, if they could've managed around 85-90, it could've done wonders.

[Venkatesh]

Arjun Maini tests out the new Mercedes-AMG E 63 S 4MATIC+, conquers the German Autobahn at 300km/h.

https://youtu.be/QplGjQ3xrb4

[Venkatesh]

Mercedes-AMG E 63 S 4MATIC+ in pictures.

https://youtu.be/u1OVH_iCc7s

[AamodB]

Originally Posted by amitverma

I wish they could've gone the BMW way and priced the E53 a bit more competitive. 530d at 73 lacs, if they could've managed around 85-90, it could've done wonders.

The E53 is an AMG and an M540i rival and can't be compared to the 530d. The E53 has 168 hp more than the 530d. Less torque but that's because of the petrol vs diesel.

Mercedes already has the E350d to rival the 530d at 80.9L (ex-showroom)

[amitverma]

Originally Posted by AamodB

The E53 is an AMG and an M540i rival and can't be compared to the 530d. The E53 has 168 hp more than the 530d. Less torque but that's because of the petrol vs diesel.

Mercedes already has the E350d to rival the 530d at 80.9L (ex-showroom)

I know that mate. I only meant to say that if it was priced closer to 530d, people would want to extend their budgets and try to get the E53. A 10-15 lac cut on the current price would do exceptionally well.

[AamodB]

Originally Posted by amitverma

I know that mate. I only meant to say that if it was priced closer to 530d, people would want to extend their budgets and try to get the E53. A 10-15 lac cut on the current price would do exceptionally well.

Isn't that true for every single car on the market? A 10-15% reduction in price would do wonders for the sale of everything be it a WagonR or a 911.

To the actual point, a 10% price reduction without reducing the pricing of other models/ variants in their lineup would only lead to cannibalising Mercedes' own products. No one would buy the E350d for only ~10L less, a car which sells in limited numbers in the first place.
From what I have noticed, those who own the E350d or the 530d more often than not are your chauffeur driven clients who buy these variants because it's the best variant available and not because of the performance aspect.

Plus the 530d is an out and out daily and in my opinion (which may be completely wrong) it's unlikely that most people looking for a daily would ever consider an AMG and vice versa.

[androdev]

Originally Posted by AamodB

Plus the 530d is an out and out daily and in my opinion (which may be completely wrong) it's unlikely that most people looking for a daily would ever consider an AMG and vice versa.

They are creating so many flavours of AMG and M cars to capture "daily driver" market. We can no longer say AMG is truly for performance nuts. I would go further and say that a bulk of the AMG sales in India would be due to their better interiors as there is no option to configure and spruce up regular cars like in the west.

[sandeep108]

That AMG 53 engine is really great - other than the starter/alternator I believe they have taken everything off of the engine and running it off the 48V system. Even the supercharger for the low end boost is electrical. As a result you get great performance with very credible fuel economy. I believe BMW has just done something similar with their 40 V6 engines.

Problem with Mercedes (see the new C class) is that they are going Tesla way with big screens, haptic touch buttons all over including steering wheel. All very distracting for actual driving. Our drivers will love them - leave engine and AC on while parked waiting for the "seth" and enjoying movie theater Netflix/Prime/Hotstar on big screen instead of tiny (relative) mobile.

I maybe wrong though - possibly the big screen will not accept video streaming and only show maps or album art? If so then what would be the point?

And then maybe I am old school, the new generation only knows touch...

[karanddd]

I wonder what the point of "performance sedans" in India is. Given the state of our roads and of the other vehicles around us, even a bang ordinary A4 or E Class is a performance sedan, in relative terms. And they look almost as good and cost way less. The AMG or M sedans offer none of the pizzaz of a proper 2 door sports car, and cannot by and large be driven significantly more spiritedly than their normal, non AMG non M counterparts. No wonder they don't really sell.

[AamodB]

Originally Posted by androdev

I would go further and say that a bulk of the AMG sales in India would be due to their better interiors as there is no option to configure and spruce up regular cars like in the west.

I agree especially since Mercedes makes the creakiest interiors amongst the Germans. But we Indians also have an obsession with the feeling of airiness which in turn is synonymous with luxury, hence all of the beige/ cream upholstery in the world. A "feature" you won't get in the AMGs bar the E63S (which is anyway S class money)

So I don't see the likelihood of the average E class customer going to the AMGs. The 50% cost difference (compared to the E220d exclusive) would also be the biggest inhibitor. The current AMG customer even for the half AMGs (C/GLC43, E/GLE53) would be one specifically looking to buy a performance car with no intention of cross-shopping with the regular models.

Originally Posted by sandeep108

Problem with Mercedes (see the new C class) is that they are going Tesla way with big screens, haptic touch buttons all over including steering wheel... And then maybe I am old school, the new generation only knows touch.

I think that's more market trends and general shift towards minimalist interior design aesthetic fuelled by Tesla and to a degree Volvo, rather than generational preferences. The smaller screens and buttons in cars (even those from the mid 2010s) just make the car look old and tired.

We're also accustomed to the idea of large bezel-less screens being futuristic since all our personal electronics now have slim bezels and minimal buttons which dates the interiors of cars with screens really quickly. We'll already find the W206 C-Class interiors dated by the time the W207 rolls around in 6-7 year's time.

Originally Posted by karanddd

I wonder what the point of "performance sedans" in India is... And they look almost as good and cost way less...No wonder they don't really sell.

The low volume is a pro and a con at the very same time. The con is the cars being unaffordable for the average enthusiast while the pro is the exclusivity you get for the money. The S Class while being highly restricted by the price, is still a fairly common car in the metros. The AMG products while half the money are rarer than your S-Classes and 7 Series. The purpose for many is not to use the performance car to drive a sports sedan but just having a status symbol/ exclusive car.