Mercedes-AMG seems like it’s almost trying to lose its identity of a niche little corner of the Benzian empire—rare, loud, imposing and blanketing the nearest intersection with tire smoke. But none of that matters now. For just a moment, I’m going to enjoy this straight six with an AMG badge.
The new 53 line of AMGs are 3.0 liter cars, twin turbo with 435 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque, before you count a very mild hybrid system that can boost up another 21 hp and 184 lb-ft.
The fastest of these straight six AMGs, the CLS 53 4MATIC+ (which I have misspelled twice already), does 0-60 in 4.5 seconds.
I know it’s a false icon. I know that something saying ‘AMG’ on it doesn’t mean it is as unique and as hand-built as it once was.
And I know that just because a Mercedes performance sedan is going back to a straight six doesn’t mean it’s going to be a better vehicle for it. I can’t help but love the V8 M3 more than the vacuum-cleaner turbo six-cylinder.
And it’s not even like Mercedes is replacing its V8-powered AMGs with these new 53-series CLS, E Class Coupe and E Class Convertible models. The 53s are “additional models,” as Benz puts it.
So the company is continuing to water down the AMG brand. Yes. I know. It’s fine. Because it’s a straight six, and I am that susceptible to fan service. I can’t help myself.