C-Class [Official] Mercedes-AMG C43
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The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is a series of compact executive cars produced by Mercedes-Benz Group AG. Introduced in 1993 as a replacement for the 190 (W201) range, the C-Class was the smallest model in the marque's line-up until the W168 A-Class arrived in 1997.
Mick Briesgau
Tire Trailblazer
^ Testdriving a car with partly blinded windscreen. Absurd…
Tourbillon
Cornering Kingpin
The 2023 Mercedes-AMG C43 Deserves Its AMG Badge
This sporty compact sedan proves it's a serious four-banger in our First Test!
www.motortrend.com
"Pros
Cons
In the past, we praised the Mercedes-AMG C43 for being a right-sized motoring solution. It had enough power to make its chassis dance but wasn't too steroidal for daily use. When this Selenite Grey Metallic 2023 Mercedes-AMG C43 arrived in our fleet, we hoped it would live up to that legacy when we put it through its paces in our testing.
2023 Mercedes-AMG C43: Sporty Accouterments
The 2023 Mercedes-AMG C43's 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine not only differs from the outgoing 3.0-liter twin-turbo unit in terms of displacement and configuration, it also benefits from being hand built by the folks at the Affalterbach manufacturing plant in Germany. From a heritage perspective, this makes the C43 a truer AMG product than its predecessor, which received its engine via the standard assembly line.
Mercedes-AMG claims higher horsepower output for the new model, as well. With 402 hp on tap thanks to a new electric exhaust-gas turbocharging setup that's derived from insight gained from F1. Torque measures 369 lb-ft at 5,000 rpm, making the engine feel very "boosty" compared to many modern turbo cars that offer maximum twist at less than 2,000 rpm. Making peak power at 6,750 rpm, the C43 is better when it's driven hard, as the engine's thrills live at the top of the rev range.
On the track, we recorded a best 0-60-mph sprint of 4.5 seconds, and the car ran the quarter mile in 13.0 seconds at 107.3 mph. It's quick, but the AMG doesn't feel earth shattering like the C63 S E Performance did during our First Drive review of that car. The 2023 Mercedes-AMG C43 we tested is also slightly slower than the previous-generation sedan, which hit 60 mph from a standstill in just 4.2 seconds and ran the quarter mile in 12.8 seconds at 107.2 mph. Although the new model doesn't fully capture the performance of the V-6 variant, there's still plenty to like about the new drivetrain."
Continues in the link. It's a slightly lengthy read!
This sporty compact sedan proves it's a serious four-banger in our First Test!
The 2023 Mercedes-AMG C43 Is a Real AMG
Here's why this sporty compact sedan deserves its storied name.
"Pros
- Direct steering
- Commendable brakes
- Jaw-dropping handling
Cons
- Slower than V-6 model it replaces
- Too much plastic in the cabin
- Finicky nine-speed automatic
In the past, we praised the Mercedes-AMG C43 for being a right-sized motoring solution. It had enough power to make its chassis dance but wasn't too steroidal for daily use. When this Selenite Grey Metallic 2023 Mercedes-AMG C43 arrived in our fleet, we hoped it would live up to that legacy when we put it through its paces in our testing.
2023 Mercedes-AMG C43: Sporty Accouterments
The 2023 Mercedes-AMG C43's 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine not only differs from the outgoing 3.0-liter twin-turbo unit in terms of displacement and configuration, it also benefits from being hand built by the folks at the Affalterbach manufacturing plant in Germany. From a heritage perspective, this makes the C43 a truer AMG product than its predecessor, which received its engine via the standard assembly line.
Mercedes-AMG claims higher horsepower output for the new model, as well. With 402 hp on tap thanks to a new electric exhaust-gas turbocharging setup that's derived from insight gained from F1. Torque measures 369 lb-ft at 5,000 rpm, making the engine feel very "boosty" compared to many modern turbo cars that offer maximum twist at less than 2,000 rpm. Making peak power at 6,750 rpm, the C43 is better when it's driven hard, as the engine's thrills live at the top of the rev range.
On the track, we recorded a best 0-60-mph sprint of 4.5 seconds, and the car ran the quarter mile in 13.0 seconds at 107.3 mph. It's quick, but the AMG doesn't feel earth shattering like the C63 S E Performance did during our First Drive review of that car. The 2023 Mercedes-AMG C43 we tested is also slightly slower than the previous-generation sedan, which hit 60 mph from a standstill in just 4.2 seconds and ran the quarter mile in 12.8 seconds at 107.2 mph. Although the new model doesn't fully capture the performance of the V-6 variant, there's still plenty to like about the new drivetrain."
Continues in the link. It's a slightly lengthy read!
Tourbillon
Cornering Kingpin
According to my MB sales contact, the market response for the C43 has been underwhelming.
They are hoping that once the C 63 arrives, it will generate some excitement for the range.
Jonathan19
Premium+
It seems not, the disaster is complete
Must be the biggest nightmare AMG is facing at the moment, how do they sell the C43 and C63 with puny 4 cylinder engines. Dont know to be honest why AMG has gone this route when the C43 is heavier on fuel than the inline 6 M340i and the C63 is only a fraction lighter than the M3 on fuel but both cars are heavier and have lost a huge amount of character with these crap 4 cylinder engines.
AbsoluteUnit
AMG Aficionado
They made a bet on hybrid power earlier than they needed to.
Perhaps their experience will benefit them in the future when all of the big boys are forced to go Hybrid, but to be honest strategically they should have left the Hybrid experiments with the S63e Performance and the GT63 4 door e Performance.
The new C43 should have used a 400hp M256 and the C63 should have either kept the V8 or used an upgraded 500hp M256.
If they really wanted the 4 cylinder experiments with the C-class they should have called it the C190E Performance as homage to the legendary 190E which at least had heritage of having a 4 cylinder engine. Then people wouldn't have been so upset - yes it would be heavy and a bit cumbersome, but it wouldn't have been pilloried quite as badly.
Centurion
Apex Apex Predator
I said the same thing a while ago. Mercedes could have hedged by downgrading the C63 to a six cylinder but instead they went to aggressive too soon with E-Performance.
However. No one is perfect. As a big organisation you will book both wins and losses. Mercedes has won a couple of big bets such as launching the A-Class, ML and rejoining Formula 1 as a team.
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Mercedes-AMG
Mercedes-AMG GmbH, commonly known as AMG (Aufrecht, Melcher, Großaspach),
is the high-performance subsidiary of Mercedes-Benz AG. AMG independently
hires engineers and contracts with manufacturers to customize Mercedes-Benz
AMG vehicles. The company has its headquarters in Affalterbach,
Baden-Württemberg, Germany.
Official website: Mercedes-AMG
Official website: Mercedes-AMG
