Mercedes-Benz India introduced the Mercedes-AMG E 53 Hybrid 4MATIC+ on Thursday. This is the first electrified E-Class from AMG in India, demonstrating the company's expansion of its plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) portfolio as part of its strategy that is independent of the powertrain type for the Indian market.
The AMG E 53 Hybrid 4MATIC+ is available in two trims: Performance and Racing. Their prices are ₹1.45 crore and ₹1.48 crore, respectively, excluding sales tax. Orders for the vehicle are already being accepted at all Mercedes-Benz dealerships in India, with deliveries expected shortly.
This launch comes amid growing demand for high-performance luxury vehicles in India. Santosh Iyer, Managing Director and CEO of Mercedes-Benz India, stated that AMG model sales grew by 50 percent in the first half of the year. He also noted that top models accounted for 28 percent of the company's total sales and showed a growth of 20 percent during this period.
According to Iyer, interest in high-performance luxury in India has reached an unprecedented level. He attributed this to increased buyer confidence and experience, facilitated by improvements in road infrastructure and the development of new racetracks and driving venues across the country.
The car is based on the E-Class chassis, which has been available in India for over three decades. The model combines AMG's sporty characteristics with a long range exclusively on electric power, aimed at enhancing efficiency and convenience in daily use. Iyer emphasized that this aligns with the company's strategy, allowing customers to choose the powertrain best suited to their needs.
The vehicle is designed to deliver track-level performance while offering the practicality and economy required for daily commuting. Iyer noted that the AMG E 53 Hybrid will allow owners to enjoy powerful driving on Sunday and quiet, fully electric mobility on Monday. The car merges AMG's power and precision with the efficiency and practicality of a plug-in hybrid, while maintaining the brand's racing heritage.
The AMG E 53 Hybrid is equipped with a 3.0-liter six-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine paired with a 120 kW electric motor integrated into the AMG Speedshift TCT 9G transmission. The internal combustion engine alone produces 330 kW (449 hp), while the total system output reaches 430 kW (585 hp) with a torque of 750 Nm. When the Race Start function is activated, the power increases to 450 kW (612 hp).
The sedan can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds, and its electronically limited top speed is 250 km/h. With the optional AMG Driver's Package, the top speed can be increased to 280 km/h.
The plug-in hybrid system utilizes a 400-volt battery with a total capacity of 28.6 kWh, of which 21.2 kWh is usable. It provides a range of over 100 km in pure electric mode and allows travel up to 140 km/h in electric mode. A standard 11 kW onboard charger is installed. The battery can also be replenished through regenerative braking, and a portion of its total capacity is reserved to provide peak power during short periods of electric acceleration.
The sedan is equipped with the AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel-drive system, which adjusts power distribution between the front and rear axles depending on driving conditions. It also features AMG Ride Control suspension and active rear steering. At speeds below 90 km/h, the rear wheels turn in the opposite direction to the front by up to 2.5 degrees to enhance maneuverability. At speeds above 90 km/h, they turn in the same direction by up to 2.5 degrees to improve stability.
The electro-mechanical brake booster combines regenerative and hydraulic braking, automatically maximizing energy recovery during deceleration. Drivers can select driving modes: Comfort, Sport, Sport+, Slippery, and Individual, as well as hybrid modes Electric and Battery Hold. The AMG Dynamic Plus package includes an electronically controlled rear differential with slip limiting, AMG Dynamic Engine Mounts sports dampers, a high-performance composite braking system, an AMG Performance steering wheel upholstered in Nappa leather and Microcut microfiber, and the Race Start function.
The AMG E 53 Hybrid boasts a recognizable design: it features an illuminated AMG-style grille, an AMG front bumper with additional air intakes, and front fenders that are 11 mm wider on each side. Other exterior elements include the 'Turbo Hybrid' lettering, an AMG rear bumper with a diffuser, a lip spoiler, four circular exhaust tips, 20-inch AMG alloy wheels with five double spokes, the AMG Night Package II, and Digital Light technology.
The sedan is available in six exterior colors: Polar White, Verde Silver, Obsidian Black, Nautical Blue, Velvet Brown, and Graphite Grey metallic. The interior features electrically adjustable AMG sports seats upholstered in Artico artificial leather and Microcut microfiber, with contrasting red stitching. It also includes AMG-style MBUX displays and hybrid-specific information regarding charge and range. The Burmester 4D surround sound system envelops passengers with seventeen speakers, four exciters, and 730 watts of power, supporting Dolby Atmos playback. Additionally offered are rear sunshades and an electrically operated roller blind for the rear window.
Transnet National Ports Authority has initiated a competitive tender for a 25-year concession to redevelop, finance, and operate a key multi-purpose terminal in the Port of Cape Town.
This long-awaited request for proposals, issued under Section 56 of the National Ports Act, concerns an extensive terminal spanning 119,849 square meters, located in the Duncan Dock area of the Port of Cape Town. This initiative marks a significant step in the country's effort to upgrade its freight network by engaging the private sector.
The strategic intervention occurs at a critical juncture for this maritime gateway, which has faced serious operational difficulties, accumulated maintenance issues, and wind-related disruptions, negatively impacting its global standing. Currently, the facility is managed by a private lessee whose contract expires in 2027, and it will be completely transformed following a successful tender.
The concessionaire winning the tender will be responsible for the design, financing, refurbishment, operation, maintenance, and subsequent handover of the modernized, energy-efficient terminal to the state at the end of the twenty-five-year agreement. Through the implementation of advanced digital systems, optimized terminal layouts, and modern handling equipment, the modernization aims to significantly increase throughput for containerized, dry bulk, and general cargo.
Leaders of the Western Cape welcomed the announcement with unanimous praise, viewing the reform as an indispensable victory for regional economic growth and global competitiveness. Premier Alan Windey emphasized the direct link between port efficiency and job creation, noting the significant pressure logistical delays place on the province's export-oriented industries.
Premier Windey stated: 'Western Cape exporters depend on a fully functioning port. We have consistently called for reforms that enhance efficiency and strengthen South Africa's logistics network. I welcome Transnet's decision to invite private sector investment and expertise into the Port of Cape Town.' He added that 'improving port productivity goes far beyond logistics. A more efficient port helps businesses grow, attracts investment, expands exports, and creates jobs. This strengthens Western Cape's ability to compete globally and supports our goal of building a prosperous, growing economy.'
The Minister of Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism for the Western Cape, Dr. Ivan Meyer, highlighted the vital dependence of local producers, manufacturers, and fishing industries on uninterrupted supply chains. Dr. Meyer noted that 'a more efficient Port of Cape Town ultimately affects jobs. When exporters can deliver their products to market faster and cheaper, businesses can scale up production, access new markets, and hire more people.'
He stressed that resolving terminal issues strengthens the entire value chain, starting from rural farms and manufacturing enterprises to logistics companies and retail stores. The need for reform is supported by an independent study commissioned by the Western Cape Government, which indicated that a fully efficient Cape Town port could unlock an additional 6 billion rand in exports, generate over 1.6 billion rand in tax revenue, and support approximately 20,000 jobs.
Mayor Jordyn Hill-Lewis also supported the tender as a vital achievement for the port, which had previously ranked last in the World Bank's Container Port Performance Index. Hill-Lewis stated: 'We welcome Transnet's call to private sector partners to modernize and operate the multi-purpose terminal in the Port of Cape Town—this is precisely the major reform we have been demanding in the City for a long time.'
He pointed to the cumulative impact of private sector participation and Transnet's R3.4 billion capital investment initiative. TNPA's current manager, Ophelia Shabane, noted that the long-term concession will strengthen the terminal's overall capabilities, ensuring the port's flexibility and readiness for the future. She emphasized that the strategy is already yielding tangible results on the ground, aided by operational improvements and engineering solutions such as 10 permanently deployed shore tugs, which reduced downtime due to long swells by 92%. Shabane stated: 'The Port of Cape Town continues to achieve measurable progress in improving operational performance and service delivery. These achievements demonstrate the impact of targeted interventions, infrastructure investments, and close collaboration with terminal operators and industry stakeholders.'
Recent performance indicators show a stable recovery of operations. The turnaround time for the container terminal sharply decreased from 103 hours in 2023/24 to 74 hours in 2025/26, with current year averages reaching 58 hours. Concurrently, the average waiting time in anchorage dropped from 127 hours to 79 hours, accompanied by strong growth in container and bulk cargo segments. Potential tender participants can attend a non-mandatory briefing at the port on August 6, 2026, ahead of the official application deadline of November 20, 2026.
James Vos, a Mayco member for economic growth, noted that port reliability remains the biggest constraint to local business expansion, emphasizing that the harbour must leverage its location along leading global maritime trade routes to become a competitive advantage rather than a costly bottleneck. This shift is central to Transnet's broader 'Reinvent for Growth' strategy, aimed at expanding capacity along national logistics corridors. Private operators are already a cornerstone of the port system, managing 78% of all terminals handling bulk, general, liquid, and multi-purpose cargo across 82 leases nationwide. In the Port of Cape Town itself, nine out of eleven terminals are currently under private operation.
The Prime Ministers of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, Olzhas Bektenov and Abdulla Aripov, visited the Aktau International Seaport as part of a meeting of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission on bilateral cooperation. During the meeting, they discussed opportunities to expand cargo transportation along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, according to the press service of the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan.
Both heads of government reviewed the infrastructure and operational capabilities of the Aktau port, which is Kazakhstan's largest seaport and one of the key hubs of the Middle Corridor. The port covers an area of 44 hectares and is capable of processing up to 12 million tons of cargo annually, ensuring year-round transport to the Caucasus, Central Asia, and the Caspian region.
Bektenov emphasized that the development of maritime infrastructure remains one of the priorities of the Government of Kazakhstan. He noted that dredging works at the Kyryk port were completed in 2025, and similar works at the Aktau port are expected by the end of the current year. This will allow the ports to accommodate fully loaded vessels, increase throughput capacity, and create conditions for further expansion of port infrastructure.
Elzhas Otynshiev, Chairman of the Board of Kazakhstan Temir Zholy, reported that the combined capacity of the Aktau and Kyryk ports is about 22 million tons per year. He also added that the volume of container transit along the Trans-Caspian route through Kazakh ports has increased threefold between 2022 and 2025.
The first stage of the container hub has already been commissioned at the Aktau port, with an annual capacity of 140,000 TEU. After the completion of the second stage in the period 2027–2028, its capacity will increase to 240,000 TEU. Furthermore, six container ships have been ordered to support the development of maritime transport.
The parties also discussed measures to improve the efficiency of transporting goods between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. It was noted that the volume of Uzbek cargo processed through the Aktau and Kyryk ports has grown by more than 60% in 2025 due to favorable tariff conditions and the development of railway and port infrastructure.
Following the negotiations, the prime ministers instructed the national railway companies, Kazakhstan Temir Zholy and Uzbekistan Temir Yullari, to prepare a specific plan for further increasing freight volumes along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route.
Uzbekistan's Minister of Transport, Ilhom Makhamov, stated in an interview with the channel Uzbekistan 24 TV that the operator of the new toll highway connecting Tashkent and Samarkand will only be appointed after construction is fully completed.
According to the minister, the implementation of this project will proceed in two stages. The first stage will be handled by the Chinese company China Overseas Engineering Construction (COVEC), which will be responsible for building and completing the highway. After the completion of the work, authorities plan to engage a separate partner for operating the road as a toll route.
Makhamov specified that after the new highway opens, drivers will retain the option to choose between the existing free road and the new toll route. It is expected that the travel time between Tashkent and Samarkand via the new route will be reduced from approximately five and a half hours to two hours.
Furthermore, the minister announced that after the Tashkent-Samarkand project is finished, Uzbekistan intends to build additional toll roads. These include the Tashkent-Bostanliq, Tashkent-Fergana, and Tashkent-Andijan routes. Reconstruction of existing roads and construction of new highways in several regions are also planned with the support of international financial institutions.
According to Makhamov, over the last ten years, funding for the road sector has increased eightfold compared to the previous twenty-seven years. He added that the new roads are being built using updated construction norms and standards developed jointly with partners from Turkey and the United States.
Sherzod Boltayev, head of the Roads Committee Department, noted that the new 282-kilometer highway will be equipped with services along the route, including vehicle maintenance stations. It will also feature an intelligent transport system that will promptly inform drivers about road incidents and other factors affecting traffic safety.
The highway will start near Tashkent International Airport, providing direct access to Gulistan, Jizzakh, and Samarkand. It is expected that at least 50% of the materials used in the project will be produced domestically. Construction of the six-lane toll highway, estimated to cost approximately 2.2 billion US dollars, began on July 22, 2026, with an opening scheduled for 2030. The project includes the construction of 92 bridges, 28 overpasses, and 60 tunnel passages.
