The Mercedes-AMG E43 Estate Is A 400bhp Modern-Day Sleeper
Modern super saloons and estates are so festooned in lumps, bulges, vents and wings that many claim the concept of a sleeper car is dead. However, I’m not so sure, and one of the cars that makes me think otherwise is the new Mercedes-AMG E43 estate.
On the outside, there’s not a whole lot to tell it apart from the boggo E-Class estate - a car also revealed this week - and yet it’s packing the same 395bhp, 383lb ft 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 as the equally subtle E43 saloon. 0-62mph takes just 4.7 seconds, while the top speed is the usual 155mph electronically limited deal.
So, it doesn’t look particularly fast, yet will match the supercharged, full fat E55 AMG from a couple generations ago to 62mph. What was that about sleepers being dead?
Power is sent to all four wheels by a nine-speed automatic gearbox, and if the saloon version is anything to go by, the estate will have a 31:69 torque split favouring the rear wheels. The E43 also gets beefier AMG suspension.
If you want more power and a couple of extra cylinders a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 E63 will follow eventually, with an expected power output in excess of 600bhp. But if it’s the E43 you’re after, it goes on sale with the rest of the E-class estate range this October.
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
What about bmw f11 m5 touring?
That doesn’t exist :)
Only the M550d Touring, maybe that’s the one you mean?
You mean “optional M performance package”
Just stuck in a good engine on a dull car and you’re ready to roll.
What is a sleeper car? I’ve heard so many definitions.
Is faster than it looks like.
Cars that look normal form the outside, but pack a powerful engine :)
At least that is how people told me haha
Mainstream looking cars with dull appearance but have a very powerful engine. Mostly family sedans, estate wagons and a few trucks.
Ah, cheers guys
I’ll take the V8
I’ll take the Audi RS4.
Hopefully its better than this sleeper
When you want road rage but fam is life.
Okay, so where does Mercedes-Benz get these numbers behind the letter from? They used to refer to the displacement, but this looks more like Rand-Int.
at least its not as bad as BMW. for ~10 years now, they are calling there 3l engines 5’s
Did someone order a herse?
Audi did that with RS6 Avant.
Even when de-badged you can spot an RS6 from a mile away. Twin oval pipes, huge grill, extra wide fenders, 21’ wheels, big carbon ceramic brakes. While this looks more or less line an E-class. :)