Photo: kelsonik / Instagram
Although I'm really not a fan of Audi because I consider 99% of its designs too darn boring, I have to admit that the C8-generation RS 6 Avant tucks at the right strings for me – even more so than the newer W/S/X 214 Mercedes-Benz E-Class or the G60/61 BMW 5 Series and their respective upcoming AMG and M variants.
Probably, as far as the Audi RS 6 Avant is concerned, it's the right combination of practicality and untainted 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 performance, which reaches up to 621 hp and 850 Nm (627 lb-ft) of torque in RS 6 Avant performance or GT edition trim. On the other hand, I'm not so sure the Mercedes-AMG versions with inline-six and electric aids can keep up the pace or that the continued use of the mighty V8 can offset the rumored (elephant) weight of the BMW M5.
Of course, I'm going to reserve judgment for that time when the Mercedes-AMG E 63 S E-Performance and the BMW M5 (Touring) are both out and about trying to fight off the Audi RS 6 Avant performance or GT special edition. Until then, at least, I am letting myself be persuaded that if everything falls flat, at least there's a 'soft' Mercedes-AMG anyone could live with – the recently announced E 53.
However, some caveats do apply here, too, which is why I'm going to need a little bit of assistance from the imaginative realm of digital car content creators to resolve the conundrum. Officially, Mercedes-AMG announced the latest E 53 in March 2024 with a 3.0-liter inline-six and an electrified setup that is capable of delivering more oomph than the classic V8 – 577 combined hp or 604 ponies when the Race Start function is engaged.
There's also the AMG Performance 4Matic+ fully variable all-wheel drive as standard, along with some pretty bonkers performance figures – zero to 60 mph (97 kph) in 3.7 seconds (with Race Start), while top speed reaches 174 mph (280 kph) or 87 mph (140 kph) in pure electric driving mode. There's also a 21.2-kWh (usable capacity) battery so that it can run silently for a while. Alas, the issues don't necessarily cover the powertrain but rather the design.
It seems that nobody dares to do anything about the 'drippy' eyes, but at least Nikita Chuicko, the virtual artist better known as kelsonik on social media, thinks now is the right CGI time to play with the Mercedes-AMG E 53's awkward starry taillights. So, in his latest set of unofficial renderings, he simply reworked them into normal, sane-looking LED elements and also dropped a couple of new, larger aftermarket wheels – one dual-tone black-and-white and another more luxurious, dressed in gold. So, which is your favorite?
Of course, I'm going to reserve judgment for that time when the Mercedes-AMG E 63 S E-Performance and the BMW M5 (Touring) are both out and about trying to fight off the Audi RS 6 Avant performance or GT special edition. Until then, at least, I am letting myself be persuaded that if everything falls flat, at least there's a 'soft' Mercedes-AMG anyone could live with – the recently announced E 53.
However, some caveats do apply here, too, which is why I'm going to need a little bit of assistance from the imaginative realm of digital car content creators to resolve the conundrum. Officially, Mercedes-AMG announced the latest E 53 in March 2024 with a 3.0-liter inline-six and an electrified setup that is capable of delivering more oomph than the classic V8 – 577 combined hp or 604 ponies when the Race Start function is engaged.
There's also the AMG Performance 4Matic+ fully variable all-wheel drive as standard, along with some pretty bonkers performance figures – zero to 60 mph (97 kph) in 3.7 seconds (with Race Start), while top speed reaches 174 mph (280 kph) or 87 mph (140 kph) in pure electric driving mode. There's also a 21.2-kWh (usable capacity) battery so that it can run silently for a while. Alas, the issues don't necessarily cover the powertrain but rather the design.
It seems that nobody dares to do anything about the 'drippy' eyes, but at least Nikita Chuicko, the virtual artist better known as kelsonik on social media, thinks now is the right CGI time to play with the Mercedes-AMG E 53's awkward starry taillights. So, in his latest set of unofficial renderings, he simply reworked them into normal, sane-looking LED elements and also dropped a couple of new, larger aftermarket wheels – one dual-tone black-and-white and another more luxurious, dressed in gold. So, which is your favorite?
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