There is a deadline looming for European automakers which will see the complete rejection of the internal combustion engine. There is further demand for more fuel efficient vehicles. We have witnessed a few more hybrids and fully-electric vehicles enter SA over the years but the biggest change has been the downsizing of engines.
Mercedes-AMG is not exempt and the first of these arrived on my driveway recently, the all-new
C43 AMG.
The demand for ‘lite’ versions of performance cars has grown over the years. BMW offers M-Sport vehicles that sit just below their full-blown M cars. Audi has their ‘S’ badges cars and
Mercedes has their double digit cars that are not a 63. In this case, the
C43. Now the previous model featured a glorious 6 cylinder that developed around 270kW. It sounded magnificent and also featured 4MATIC all-wheel drive. With the announcement of the next-generation C63 AMG and its adoption of a 2.0-litre hybrid system it was only a matter of time before the C43 followed suit.
Now there are many who are upset about the fact that these new AMG vehicles are using four-cylinder 2.0-litre motors and it is understandable, however this is the world that we live in. These manufacturers are under pressure from various regulations demanding that they downsize. It makes no business sense to spend money on developing a new more efficient 6 cylinder motor when the 2.0-litre is there, used in the A45 AMG.
Design
Ok, with that out of the way, let me dive into the new
C43 and what it is like. On the outside, the
C43 AMG looks rather good and that is because the new
C Class on which it is based is a very attractive car to start with. The
C43 does make use of sportier bumpers and wheels. While not overly aggressive this AMG will be able to go unnoticed at times. It is however the quad tailpipes at the rear that allude to its performance credentials, even though they are just for show and are not actually connected to the exhaust system but rather just attached to the bumper.
Interior
The interior of the
C43 is much like that of other C Class models except for the steering wheel which features two rotary dials for drive mode and AMG setting selection. One of the most eye-catching elements is undoubtedly the new, large infotainment screen which is slightly angled for ease of use.
It features the 2nd-generation MBUX software which is standard across the range and measures in at 30.2cm diagonally. The display offers clear and high-res graphics and the system performs functions quickly. It features the latest in smartphone connectivity which is wireless. Unfortunately the car only has USB Type C ports but there is a wireless charge tray which is a great feature.
There is also an all-digital instrument cluster with changeable themes. Visually, the interior is on another level compared to its competitors which has always been the way with the C Class.
Performance
When it comes to performance, The C43 now develops 300kW and 500Nm of torque. The turbocharger is operated via the 48-volt electrical system, which also feeds the belt-driven starter-generator. In the
Mercedes-AMG C43 4MATIC, in certain driving situations, the system is able to call upon a brief additional boost of 10kW.
Mercedes-AMG technicians and test drivers demonstrated a few features on the car for us, one stand out was indeed the rear axle steering which makes it incredibly agile. It is also relatively quick, especially off the line,
Mercedes claims a 4.6 second 0-100km/h.
The drive
Out on a quiet country road the C43 impresses with its outright pace and lightness. It inspires confidence through the corners at pace and the large brakes provide ample stopping power. Now I won’t say it sounds as good as the 6 cylinder but I will admit that it sounds better than many other 2.0-litre motors. It has a subtle growl to it which adds to the overall experience.
Overall the new
Mercedes-AMG C43 offers impressive performance, more than the vehicle it replaces. It remains comfortable and this new generation C Class interior is vastly impressive over its competitors. While there will always be debate on the motor, the vehicle as a whole is highly impressive and a joy to drive.
Credit: Justin Jacobs
