In-Depth Photos of the 2019 Mercedes-AMG E53 Coupe

The E53's 0.9-kWh lithium-ion battery feeds both the electrically driven blower and a starter/alternator motor sandwiched between the engine and gearbox.

With electrons chipping in 21 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, total system output is 429 horses at 6100 rpm and 384 lb-ft stretching from 1800 to 5800 revs.

Indulgent grand-touring luxury coupes have long been a hallmark of Mercedes-Benz, and the E53 coupe, at $74,695 to start, fits the mold with the road presence of a scaled-down S-class coupe.

The front of the E coupe's ritzy interior mostly carries over from the sedan and wagon, with the AMG adding plenty of classy details.

Its familiar COMAND interface works well enough with the E's console-mounted touchpad and scrolling wheel, and the expansive flat-panel dash display incorporating two 12.3-inch screens remains a slick yet functional design element that can be configured in Classic, Sport, or Progressive display styles.

The E-class has yet to adopt Mercedes-Benz's latest MBUX infotainment system as seen in the new CLA-class.

The prominent ambient lighting accents can seem a bit tacky for more reserved tastes, but the $600 addition of Metal Weave trim across our car's dash did reflect a cool, glittering glow from the E's backlit circular HVAC vents.

At an as-tested $95,895, our example had no shortage of optional equipment, including an upgraded $4550 Burmester audio system, $4200 worth of Designo black and dark grey nappa leather with quilted stitching on the seats, and the $2250 Driver Assistance package (adaptive cruise, automated emergency braking, rear-end collision protection, and active blind-spot, lane-changing, and lane-keeping assistants).

Also onboard were $1320 multicontour front seats with massage, a $1290 active parking system and surround-view camera, a $990 head-up display, and a host of smaller luxury extras.

Of the many strengths of the current E-class, its wide range of capabilities, from stately cruiser to back-road bomber, is arguably its greatest.

Depending on the drive mode selected (Eco, Comfort, Sport, Sport+, and Individual), the AMG-tuned nine-speed automatic transmission can work through its cogs unobtrusively or with a heightened zeal that delivers a hearty shove with each upshift, as well as clean, rev-matched downshifts.

One of the coupe's more surprising features is a spacious back seat, which can house a pair of six-footers without their knees being crammed into the front seatback or their heads scrubbing the headliner.

It is a pretty thing to behold, even in our example's $720 Obsidian Black Metallic hue, with flowing lines, an arching greenhouse, and a restrained amount of body tinsel.

The 53-series models are distinguished by their silver-chrome twin-blade grille design and sharper front air intakes, as well as deeper side sills and quad oval exhaust outlets.

The AMG Sport air-spring suspension and driver-adjustable three-mode dampers can provide either impressive ride comfort or tamped-down body control for aggressive cornering.

The electrically assisted steering exudes a natural flow with welcome feedback that gently increases as you step up the drive settings.

While the standard 4Matic+ branded all-wheel-drive system defaults to a rear-wheel-biased torque distribution, it is fully variable in shuttling torque fore and aft as traction demands.

Weighing a rather chunky 4519 pounds and riding on $750 20-inch wheels wrapped with Pirelli P Zero PZ4 Run Flat summer tires (19s with all-season rubber are standard), our test car returned a solid 0.91 g of lateral grip around the skidpad and stopped from 70 mph in 166 feet.