The Mercedes-AMG C43 Coupe Is Like A C63 With The Volume Turned Down
As explained recently, the Mercedes-AMG C63 is a smashing thing. It’s not exactly a car for shrinking violets though, given that it has up to 503bhp on tap and brings with it the potential for many shredded sets of rear tyres - so what if you want that AMG goodness in a package that’s a little less loco? Step forward the new C43 coupe.
Of course, C43 was the designation for the top-of-the-line, full-fat V8 AMG version of the old W202, but the car the badge has been resurrected for is more of a semi-AMG. It’s pretty much a coupe version of the C450 AMG Sport, but following Mercedes’ decision to kill off the AMG Sport sub-brand it introduced only recently, the C43 is badged up as a proper Affalterbach machine.
As with the C450 (soon to be named as a ‘C43’ also, we suspect), the C43 coupe packs a 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6, good for 362bhp and 382lb ft. This makes 0-62mph possible in 4.7 seconds, while the top speed is the usual 155mph electronically-limited affair. Power is sent to all four wheels via a nine-speed automatic gearbox, with 69 per cent of torque sent to the rear boots.
While it may be a lot less pokey than the C63, the C43 does benefit from a few tasty hand-me-downs from its big brother. The C43’s three-way adjustable electronic dampers have been “adopted” from the C63, as well as elements of the front-suspension set-up, which is drastically different to the regular C-Class coupe’s thanks to newly developed steering knuckles and load-bearing joints. It should stop well too, with 360mm discs up front and 320mm at the rear.
Want one? No prices have been revealed just yet, but in the UK we can expect a five-figure number starting with a four. It’ll make its public debut at the Geneva motor show next week.
Growing up on a diet of World Rally Championship highlights and lengthy Gran Turismo 2 sessions, a life in cars was as good as inevitable for Matt.
Comments
Great car for everyday driving, the price is reasonable too, especially since c-class coupe has lots of stuff as standard, so there isn’t a need to spend much on options
But here is the question who would get an AMG and want LESS madness though I thought you buy an AMG/BRABUS for more madness
Rich Chinese wimps who only care about the badge, that’s who.
A good way to tell people that you couldn’t afford a real AMG.
The A45 AMG and its brothers have a smaller engine and two cylinders less, but equivalent power output.
So why the V6? Only for prestige?
Can someone explain this to me?
Well this V6 is not hand built so it’s cheaper to produce that’s all it comes down to. This is an AMG sport not a true AMG.
V6 with greater displacement needs less boost … thus engine parts are not getting punished as hard as a highly boosted i4 parts.
On the other hand, i4 turbo, doesnt have the “soul” of the AMG badge. Many people only careabout the max power but not for the power curve before it.
I judge on my expirience with CLA45. Yeah, it kicks hard .. but doesnt have the thing
I prefer the OG C43 honestly
The new c class coupé. The most beautiful mercedes-benz. Ever
But who doesn’t like the sound of the C63??!?
Looks like a fat cat xD
It’s like a Passat CC and a Renault Laguna Coupe had a son
Agreed! The side and the rear remind me of a Laguna Coupé, too
C class has always been the car, that you buy when you cant afford the S class. They always try to make it look like a S class but build it cheaper.
I personally think 7 gears in any car is enough… Nine is way too much
Sounds like an S5 competitor