Drive Test: Mercedes-AMG E53 cabrio is heaven on earth
There it is again, that jaundiced ‘lifestyle’ remark I loathe Never understood the merit of the word lifestyle, except as a cop-out to describe anything with faux off-road intentions.
Except for this E53 AMG which I was warned by the nice lady at Mercedes-Benz had been configured in this most peacocking specification to appeal to lifestyle media, thereby intimating that it would be mocked by our straight-arrow road testers who generally scrutinise the numbers first, then cast opinion over the visuals.
If you’re willing to take a risk on the resale, going for anything but the sombre black interior can allow Mercedes-Benz to flex their showroom muscle, and as it turns out the configurator goes a lot further and deeper than we’d previously believed on models below the S-Class.
Does the boulevard look dampen its ability? Certainly not when measured by the objective metrics like competence (plenty), noise (plenty more), and software (overwhelming). But it has a profound effect and I’m afraid to say that in spite of myself I rather enjoyed this highfalutin interior with myriad texture grains and bold colours that ramp up the E53’s appeal and add much to the occasion. It helps that it’s backed up by dual screens, as well as touch-sensitive panels, but for once they’re not stealing the show. It’s close but that honour might go to the engine which is every bit as characterful as the bigger V8, but with EQ Boost adds a layer of sophistication to its delivery that hugely refines its potent turn of pace.
The E53 AMG left our care before I could find any chinks in the armour. It’s brilliantly smooth, deceptively fast, has a crisp soundtrack from those quad pipes and ticks the lifestyle box. As for the interior, just make sure you have a wardrobe that can keep up. I better get shopping. Andrew Leopold
Specification: Mercedes-AMG E53 cabrio
- R1,441 226
- 2999cc, I6 turbo petrol EQBoost, 336kW, 520Nm, AWD
- 8.9l/100km, 204g/km
- 0-100kph in 4.5 secs, 250kph
- 2055kg
