SINGING A SONG WE’LL MISS IN AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE WORLD

THERE’S something special about a true coupé, the proper two-door one, not marketing speak for a coupéshaped car that has four doors. And it’s even better if it has an AMG moniker attached to it. It seems to be a dying breed as manufacturers cater to the demand for SUVs, so there’s even more reason to enjoy it.

In this case it’s the Mercedes-Benz E53 AMG 4Matic+. With its raked roof, AMG grille, LED headlights and optional 20-inch alloy wheels on the test unit, there’s no doubt that it means business in an understated way.

The business comes from a turbo-charged 3.0-litre straight-6 petrol engine that’s good for an impressive 320kW and 520Nm. It also features Merc’s EQ Boost system which adds an extra 16kW and 250Nm of torque. Mercedes says it will get you to 100km/h in 4.4 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 250km/h and if you select the optional AMG Driver’s Package, will get to 270km/h.

Power is sent via a nine-speed Speedshift TCT automatic transmission that drives all four wheels and can shift torque to each corner as needed.

The interior tweaks over the previous model are subtle but it remains as hi-tech as ever with the MBUX multimedia system incorporated in two large flanking screens dominating the dash and the jet-engine-shaped aircon vents neatly stacked beneath. The graphics are top-notch and respond immediately to touch inputs.

Piloting the E53 coupé comes courtesy of a new AMG Performance steering wheel. It grips solidly in your hands with a flat bottom and has a two-tiered control layout that’s easy to operate once you’ve got the hang of it.

Up front there’s ample head and shoulder room and the rear space is just as impressive. I had my son, who is almost 1.8m tall, sit behind me and he would have comfortably sat there on a long trip. Coupled with a 425-litre boot it ticks the grand tourer box boldly.

Pressing the start button brings about a pleasant grumble from the four tailpipes, made even better if you remember to push the exhaust flap button on the centre console.

Select your drive mode from slippery (probably not in South Africa), Comfort, Sport, Sport+ and Individual. I like to play around with the settings in Individual. For example, you can set the engine for Sport, steering and suspension for Comfort and so on.

The ride in the E53 is firm whichever option you select and with low profiles on the 20-inch alloys you feel road imperfections especially driving slowly on suburban roads.

At speed I found it a fun car to drive. The all-wheel drive offers superb traction into and out of corners and the self-leveling suspension does a good job of limiting body roll considering that it weighs almost 2000kg. The gearbox is slick when it upshifts, sometimes too quick if you leave it to its own devices, but if you manage to sync the steering-wheel-mounted paddles with the engine, you’re rewarded with a thoroughly enjoyable experience especially when you gear down and the exhaust pops and crackles.