Car news today: Mercedes-AMG E 53 PHEV launched, Porsche’s next ICE SUV, and more – 13 March 2025
Lukas Foyle
Contributor
Every important car news story breaking today, one convenient read
Thanks for joining us this Thursday, March 13th 2025. Notably in car news today: Mercedes-AMG launches new plug-in E 53 Down Under, and Porsche considers an ICE SUV successor to Macan.
Mercedes-AMG E 53 Hybrid 4Matic+ launched in Australia
A new four-door super sedan from Mercedes-AMG is on sale in Australia, and it’s a plug-in hybrid! The new E 53 Hybrid 4Matic+ is powered by a turbocharged 3.0L straight-six petrol engine and a single electric motor, which is integrated into the car’s nine-speed conventional automatic.
The E 53 has combined outputs of 450kW/750Nm, and is priced from $199,900 before on-road costs. That’s $60,000 less than its more-powerful 535kW/1,000Nm key rival, the BMW M5 hybrid.
The plug-in hybrid system of AMG’s new E 53 has significantly improved combined fuel consumption over the previous model: From 9.2L/100km to a claimed 1.7L/100km. The new E 53 also boasts up to 100km (NEDC) of electric-only driving range.
Cosmetically, the new E 53 is packaged with an air-flow focused AMG bodykit, 20-inch alloy wheels, and ducktail spoiler. Standard performance enhancements include adaptive adjustable damping and an AMG-spec 4Matic all-wheel-drive system.
Porsche plan a new ICE successor to the Macan
Porsche has revealed a new ICE-powered SUV may be on the cards for the brand, after a slow uptake to EVs in Europe, according to a report by Autocar. This comes in the wake of Stuttgart having ceased production of all ICE variants of the Macan, with remaining final stock offered through to the end of 2025.
CEO of Porsche Oliver Blume is quoted as confirming a new “Porsche-typical SUV” model is in development for the brand during the company’s annual media conference. However, no specific details about the new model have yet been revealed.
Porsche Head office in Stuttgart, Germany
The recently-developed Macan EV is built on the Porsche/Audi joint venture Premium Platform Electric (PPE) architecture, making the design largely unsuitable to convert to ICE or hybrid power. This has led to speculation that a new Porsche SUV will be built on the similarly developed Premium Platform Combustion (PPC), as used for the Audi Q5.
If Porsche’s next ICE SUV is to arrive in a similar medium size to the Macan, it could be a key contender against similar premium SUVs, chiefly the BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC.
Mercedes-Benz electric G-Wagen in Australia
Mercedes-Benz has confirmed its electric G-Class – aka G-Wagen – will be sold in Australia with a ’G 580’ moniker. Importantly, the EV 4×4 looks to arrive with a wealth of technology ensuring extreme off-road capabilities.
The G 580 features a large 116kWh battery and four electric motors independently mounted for individual wheels. It produces an impressive 432kW and 1164Nm. Its NEDC range claim is 567km.
Priced from $249,900 before on-road costs, the G 580’s closest electric rivals are softroaders like the (outgoing) $140,090 Audi Q8 E-tron and $142,900 BMW iX. However, neither competitor is engineered specifically for all-terrain capability like the Benz is.
G 580 features include all-terrain-type independent torque vectoring to each wheel, tank-turn capabilities, and a maximum water wading depth of 850mm.
Gazoo Racing to increase involvement with Toyota production vehicles
Toyota’s in-house performance brand Gazoo Racing (TGR) has confirmed it will be responsible for development and implementation of both a 1.5L and 2.0Lturbocharged four-cylinder petrol engines to be used in Toyota’s future performance and commercial vehicles.
TGR Head of Product Bart Eelen announced to the media that the next generation of commercial Toyota four-cylinders will have a WRC flavour. TGR aims to produce 295kW with its next-generation four-cylinder format with the aid of hybrid capabilities.
The four-cylinder in question, currently in development, features a short piston stroke and compact block, making for an easy to package powerplant with a low centre of gravity.
TGR’s first prototype engine is codenamed the ‘G20E’ and will make its first public appearance in the Super Taikyu race series, which begins at Motegi Circuit in Japan on March 22 and 23.
Mini Aceman SE reviewed
Chasing Cars founder Tom Baker’s video review of the 2025 Mini Aceman SE was published, and includes a look at the car’s hot-hatch dynamics and underrated status.
Baker was quick to outline the true hot-hatch potential of the Aceman SE hidden under a soft-roader SUV veil. The Aceman is a punchy, dynamic and peppy five-door with an exciting but manageable 160kW and 330Nm.
Hot-hatch prowess does have its downsides however. The firmride of the Aceman SE is said to be a compromise of sorts for its impressive dynamic handling.
All in all, the Mini Aceman SE finds itself to be the perfect fun-filled runaround or second car. It’s ideal for a spirited weekend drive, provided concessions are made around its limited circa-351km range.
