TWELVE OF A KIND: THE MERCEDES-AMG E 53 EDITION 1 LANDS IN SOUTH AFRICA
Mercedes-Benz South Africa has just pulled the covers off something seriously special: the Mercedes-AMG E 53 HYBRID 4MATIC+ Edition 1. Limited to just 12 units for local roads, this electrified AMG blends brute force with plug-in precision, and it does so with a menacing level of exclusivity. This is no trim-pack special. The Edition 1 represents the sharpest edge of the newly launched E 53 Hybrid range, mixing AMG’s performance pedigree with cutting-edge hybrid tech and top-tier spec. It’s a collector’s dream straight from the factory - loaded, rare, and ferociously quick. Under the sculpted bonnet sits AMG’s 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six paired with a 120 kW electric motor. Together, they produce up to 450 kW and a thumping 750 Nm of torque - enough to catapult the E 53 Edition 1 from 0–100 km/h in just 3.8 seconds (with RACE START activated). The fully variable AMG Performance 4MATIC+ system ensures power hits all four wheels with precision, while rear-axle steering helps thread this luxury missile through city traffic or mountain passes. A 28.6 kWh battery (21.22 kWh usable) unlocks more than 100 km of pure electric driving. So yes, it’ll silently cruise the suburbs with the grace of a full EV - until your right foot decides otherwise.
You won’t mistake this AMG for anything else. The Edition 1 arrives exclusively in MANUFAKTUR Alpine Grey - a cool, understated finish that sits low and mean over 21-inch forged AMG wheels. Darkened trims from the AMG Night Package and carbon elements from the AMG Exterior Carbon Package add serious presence, while a full-width rear spoiler, quad tailpipes, and yellow ‘Edition 1’ callouts confirm this is no ordinary E-Class.
Inside, the cabin flexes just as hard. The AMG Performance seats come wrapped in Nappa leather and DINAMICA microfibre, finished with contrast yellow stitching and matching seatbelts. An MBUX Superscreen, complete with passenger display, merges luxury with digital sharpness, and a hybrid-specific instrument layout puts all the performance data front and centre. Mercedes-AMG didn’t hold back with the Edition 1 spec sheet. These 12 cars come maxed out from the jump:
AMG Driver’s Package
AMG RIDE CONTROL suspension
AMG high-performance brakes
Electronic rear-axle diff
AMG DYNAMIC PLUS Package
Sport seats, forged wheels, and darkened radiator grille
From aesthetics to dynamics, Edition 1 is all in, making it not just exclusive but complete.
Charging tech is equally impressive. With a 60 kW DC fast charger, the Edition 1’s battery goes from 10% to 80% in just 20 minutes. The standard 11 kW AC charger makes overnight top-ups at home a breeze. And thanks to regenerative braking and a clever electromechanical booster, you get seamless transitions between regen and mechanical braking - preserving pads while maximising range. Multiple AMG DYNAMIC SELECT modes let you dial in the drive. Go fully silent in “Electric” mode, balance battery with engine in “Battery Hold,” or unleash all 450 kW in “Sport+” when the road opens up.
With a price tag of R3,228,200, the Mercedes-AMG E 53 Edition 1 is not for everyone, and that’s the point. It’s a fully loaded, plug-in hybrid performance sedan that does everything: weekday electric efficiency, weekend backroad bruising, and everything in between. It just does it rarer than anything else on the road.
Only 12 exist in South Africa. Blink and they’ll be gone.
Take a look at the YouTube video about this limited edition Mercedes-AMG that's going to be seen on local roads, but there are only 12 headed our way, which means they'll end up in some cool collections and we may even spot one at local events: 2025 Mercedes AMG E53 Edition 1 Sound, Interior & Exterior | Race Sport Media
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