Gone are the days of Mercedes systematically equipped with supercharged six-cylinder engines and V8s in their AMG versions. Mercedes-AMG is now downsizing the power of its sports cars, using small supercharged four-cylinder engines, as in the case of the new C43. This choice is not new: before the newcomer Mercedes-AMG has chosen this path in particular for the AMG A35 and AMG A45 S. The latter rises up to 421 hp with a “simple” 2.0 petrol engine. More recently, the SL roadster received an electrified option for the entry-level SL 43 version while the V8 remains at catalog for the AMG SL 63.
Mercedes-AMG C43 electric soul with 408 HP
A little over a year after its debut, the C-Class gets its first sporty variant revised by AMG. The Mercedes-AMG C43 is an entry-level version and abandons the six-cylinder 3.0 for a more “sustainable” four-cylinder 2.0 M139l used on the AMG SL 43 roadster. The 2.0 turbo, installed in a longitudinal position, uses the same technology as F1, with a turbo accompanied by a small electric motor. Accompanied by a 48V micro-hybridization system with starting alternator that offers a temporary boost of 14hp, the set develops 408 hp and 500 Nm of torque.
The AMG C43 is therefore barely less powerful than the AMG A 45 S and its 421 hp, but a little sportier than the SL 43 AMG which has 381 hp with the same engine. The C-Class proposed by AMG receives a nine-speed automatic transmission AMG Speedshift 9G, via a multi-disc gearbox and automatically has four-wheel drive thanks to the 4Matic system. This can be set in different driving modes via AMG Dynamic Select. The choice is wide with Slippery, Comfort, Sport, Sport + and Individual.
Pilot suspension is standard, as is rear wheel steering. Thus equipped, the sedan is slightly more powerful than its predecessor with 18 HP more. It is also faster: the sprint from 0 to 100 km / h is carried out in 4.6 seconds, a tenth more than the older generation. Top speed is limited to 250 km / h and can be increased to 265 km / h via various options.
AMG style is not lacking
In terms of style, the AMG C43 stands out, as always, for specific trim levels: Panamericana grille, revised bumpers and specific 18 to 20 inch rims. Do not miss the pair of iconic double exhausts. But this time AMG replaces the Turbo 4Matic badges with Turbo Electrified logos on the fenders. On board, the vibe is still just as sporty with touches of red, bucket seats and a specific AMG steering wheel and interior combining leather and microfiber. Of course, special AMG floor mats and sports pedals appear.
Questa Mercedes-AMG C43, available in sedan or station wagon version, does not yet have a release date or official prices. They should be unveiled by the end of the year. Finally, it should be emphasized that CO2 emissions are decreasing thanks to micro-hybridization (from 196 to 206 g / km).