What you'll pay for the Mercedes-AMG E 53 Hybrid 4Matic+ Edition 1
Parked next to the regular model, the Edition 1 distinguishes itself with Manufaktur Alpine Grey solid paintwork, 21" AMG cross-spoke forged alloy wheels, standard AMG Night Package and AMG Exterior Carbon Package.
Other neat design touches include an illuminated AMG-specific radiator grille and a sporty diffuser with round quad tailpipes.
Exclusive interior details include body-hugging AMG Performance seats, contrasting yellow topstitching, yellow seat belts, an MBUX Superscreen with passenger monitor and an AMG Performance steering wheel wrapped in Nappa leather and Dinamica microfibre.
As on the 'standard' Mercedes-AMG E 53 Hybrid 4Matic+, the Edition 1 is powered by a 330kW/560Nm 3.0 l six-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine paired to a 120kW/480Nm e-motor integrated into the vehicle's nine-speed AMG Speedshift TCT 9G transmission.
Total system output is rated at 430kW and 750Nm worth of torque; figures good enough to propel the Edition 1 from 0-100km/h in 3.8 seconds thanks to the standard AMG Dynamic Plus package that unlocks the carmaker's Race Start launch control system and momentarily provides an extra 20kW. Maximum speed is also increased to 280km/h.
Other trick features fitted to the Edition 1 include an AMG high-performance compound brake system, AMG Ride Control steel sprung suspension system with specially tuned two-valve adaptive adjustable damping and an electronic rear limited-slip differential.
Only 12 units have been confirmed for South Africa, with each retailing for R3,228,200.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
5 hours ago
- IOL News
Rookie sensation Kimi Antonelli may vacate seat for Max Verstappen
Andrea Kimi Antonelli. left, has impressed in his rookie Formula One season but may be temporarily moved to Alpine if Mercedes finalise a deal for Max Verstappen. Photo: AFP Image: AFP Formula One rookie sensation Andrea Kimi Antonelli, 18, is likely to be the one to vacate his Mercedes seat should Toto Wolff pull the trigger on a blockbuster move for Max Verstappen, according to Italian media. The F1 world watched with anticipation at the start of the season as Wolff's gamble on the Italian teenager either threatened to backfire or deliver big. Replacing Lewis Hamilton was never going to be straightforward, but it only took a couple of races for Antonelli to prove he might be championship material. The Italian fought from P16 to finish P4 on debut during a wet Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park. Since then, he has claimed a P3 podium during a dream race weekend for Mercedes, with George Russell taking the win. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading Despite showing enormous promise, La Gazzetta dello Sport reported that Mercedes are actively exploring a temporary placement for Antonelli at Alpine — a team currently struggling to find a reliable partner for Pierre Gasly. Alpine are also set to become a Mercedes customer team from next season, giving further credence to the potential switch. What added fuel to the Antonelli transfer speculation was a boating sighting off the coast of Sardinia this week. Vessels belonging to both Verstappen and Wolff were reportedly seen in the same stretch of the Mediterranean, suggesting the two may have met to discuss a potential deal. George Russell stoked the fire even more after confirming in Austria that talks with Verstappen were 'ongoing'. The idea of Verstappen lining up alongside Russell once seemed unthinkable, largely due to their frosty relationship. But now, it could become a reality as changes continue to unsettle Red Bull Racing. Although Verstappen is contracted to Red Bull until 2028, it has emerged that a performance clause could allow him to leave early. Should the reigning world champion fall below fourth in the Drivers' Championship by the Hungarian Grand Prix, a release clause could be activated — opening the door for Mercedes. Red Bull, who once dominated the sport, appear a shadow of their former selves. Key personnel have departed the Milton Keynes outfit, most notably team principal Christian Horner. Laurent Mekies of Racing Bulls has been linked as a potential successor, but the team's direction remains uncertain. Verstappen's quest for a fifth consecutive title is under threat, with McLaren duo Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri leading the charge at the sharp end of the grid. Meanwhile, Antonelli has delivered more than Wolff could have hoped for from a teenager — though not without error. He has shown occasional inexperience, including a high-profile incident in Austria when he collided with Verstappen on the opening lap, forcing both drivers to retire. Should he be moved, Alpine would be fortunate to acquire the young Italian, who could provide the boost they need to mount a proper midfield challenge against the likes of Williams.
Daily Maverick
2 days ago
- Daily Maverick
Mercedes' East London production pause highlights urgent need to transform automotive industry
Mercedes-Benz has the red light on at its East London plant for July. If we don't start making electric cars soon, temporary closures could become permanent along with thousands of jobs lost. Last month, Mercedes-Benz South Africa halted operations at its East London manufacturing plant for the entire month of July. While the company insists this is 'standard procedure' and typical maintenance scheduling, the timing reveals a more troubling narrative. The East London factory has been assembling cars since 1958. Now, this important outpost has gone silent. The perfect storm The shutdown may well be connected to escalating trade tensions initiated by US President Donald Trump's April announcement of 25% tariffs on automotive imports, tariffs that have since intensified to 30% last week. These protectionist measures significantly undermine the economic viability of exporting locally manufactured vehicles, such as the Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedans produced in East London, to the United States, one of South Africa's five largest automotive export markets. However, the challenges extend beyond tariff barriers. South Africa's automotive sector faces diminishing global appetite for traditional internal combustion engine vehicles, as international markets increasingly transition toward electrification. This structural shift threatens similar production curtailments, regardless of trade policy considerations. The global shift is unstoppabl e The future is unequivocal: the global automotive industry is transitioning toward zero-emission mobility in response to tightening worldwide vehicle emission regulations. South Africa's automotive sector remains locked in first gear during this global transformation, with predominantly petrol and diesel-based production and limited hybrid manufacturing. Despite sustained engagement from local manufacturers and industry bodies stretching back years, South Africa's automotive policy is lacking alignment with progressive global markets. Only in 2026 will car manufacturers establishing new investments qualify for tax incentives for producing 'new-energy vehicles'. Here lies the fundamental problem: it takes approximately seven years for automotive manufacturing cycles for new models. What will the global market look like by then? This production pause isn't merely a difficult month for East London's economy — it's a warning signal for the entire South African automotive industry. Consider this: in January 2024, Ethiopia announced an immediate ban on petrol and diesel car imports, a global first signalling regulatory change across developing markets. South Africa's primary car export markets in Europe and the UK have firmed 2035 and 2030 as their respective bans on petrol and diesel car imports. The revolution was televised Globally, electric cars aren't some distant trend but today's reality. The past seven years have witnessed nearly 800% growth in passenger electric car sales. From Norway to China, car buyers increasingly choose electric over internal combustion engines — driven not necessarily by sustainability ambitions, but by direct financial benefits. Automakers like Volkswagen, Ford, and BMW are investing tens of billions into electric car production lines worldwide. Mercedes-Benz, the very company halting production in East London, has declared its intention to go all-electric by decade's end in markets where conditions permit. Carbon taxes will devastate our exports The European Union (EU) has introduced the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, a carbon tariff that imposes levies on goods exported to the EU based on production emissions. South Africa's carbon-intensive industrial sector will pay dearly. The automotive industry represents our largest manufacturing sector, with Europe as its primary customer. Approximately 75% of locally manufactured cars are shipped abroad, with the EU consuming 60% of this output. Under the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, internal combustion engine models and associated components will face additional costs that make them less competitive compared with electric alternatives manufactured elsewhere. It's a lose-lose situation: either already financially strained car makers absorb the cost, or they lose customers. We have the raw materials The transition to electric cars isn't a threat but an opportunity. Southern Africa possesses abundant raw materials such as manganese and nickel, essential for lithium batteries. What we lack is political action and market supply side policies mandating manufacturers to locally produce affordable electric cars for local, regional, and international markets. Mercedes-Benz South Africa's July shutdown should serve as the warning light demanding political action to accelerate progressive policies such as fuel efficiency standards and vehicle emission standards to shape domestic markets, while critically providing manufacturing incentives across the value chain towards localisation. No time to coast Thankfully, the Mercedes-Benz plant isn't closing permanently, and hopefully this costly downtime will be used to realign toward zero-emission vehicle technologies under incoming CEO Abey Kgotle. If the East London plant doesn't start moving toward that future, it risks being excluded from the group's long-term plans entirely. The same applies to Volkswagen in Uitenhage, Toyota in Durban, and all other manufacturers. These companies participate in global supply chains now oriented around decarbonisation. If they don't meet new global standards, South Africa won't make the cut. South Africa boasts a strong automotive legacy, celebrating 100 years of the industry in 2024. But legacy isn't a business model, and nostalgia doesn't pay salaries. We stand at a crossroads, and the road forward is toward zero-emission cars. If we fail to act, July's pause may become August's retrenchments and next year's closures. If we seize this moment, however, we can ensure South Africa becomes not merely a producer of cars, but a global hub for the sustainable mobility revolution. The Mercedes plant's pause should be a wake-up call to policymakers for critical action. The question isn't whether the transition will happen, but whether South Africa will be part of it. DM
TimesLIVE
2 days ago
- TimesLIVE
Tesla to sell Model Y cars in India, starting at $69,770
Tech billionaire Elon Musk's Tesla has priced its Model Y at about $69,770 (R1,246,393) in India, the highest among major markets, its website showed, as the electric carmaker geared up to open its first showroom in Mumbai on Tuesday. With delivery estimated to start from the third quarter, Tesla will drive on to India's busy roads, targeting a niche premium EV segment that accounts for only 4% of overall sales in the world's third-largest car market. It will compete mainly with German luxury giants such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz rather than domestic mass-market EV players such as Tata Motors and Mahindra. Tesla's Model Y rear-wheel drive will set back buyers ₹6m (R1,250,569), while its Model Y long-range rear-wheel drive costs ₹6.8m (R1,415,002). That compares with a starting price from $44,990 (R803,224) in the US, ¥263,500 (R655,219) in China, and €45,970 (R958,727) in Germany. Grappling with excess capacity in global factories and declining sales, Tesla has adopted a strategy of selling imported vehicles in India, despite duties and levies running into about 70%. On Tuesday, police guarded Tesla's first showroom in India as media crowded outside the office complex where it is located and the chief minister of the western state of Maharashtra, home to the Indian commercial capital, arrived for the launch. Inside the showroom clad in Tesla's signature minimalist neutral tones, the Model Y was draped under black and grey covers, partially visible through the glass. Access was tightly regulated with no sign of fans or onlookers nearby. Tesla's website showed the Model Y available for registration in Mumbai at an on-road price of ₹6.1m (R1,268,305), with a booking deposit of ₹22,220 (R4,619). The firm's Full Self-Driving (FSD) capability is on offer at an additional cost of ₹600,000 (R124,751), with future updates promised to enable operation with minimal driver intervention. While the features require active driver supervision and are not fully autonomous, Tesla said the system will evolve through over-the-air software updates.
