- Doors and Seats
2 doors, 4 seats
- Engine
3.0TT, 6 cyl.
- Engine Power
270kW, 520Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (98) 8.2L/100KM
- Manufacturer
4WD
- Transmission
Auto
- Warranty
3 Yr, Unltd KMs
- Ancap Safety
NA
2016 Mercedes-AMG C43 4Matic Coupe first drive review
- Mercedes reveals AMG C43 Coupe
- Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe
- Tested: Mercedes-Benz C-Class Cabriolet
- Mercedes-AMG C63 Coupe review
Australia's love affair with AMG is no secret. We are buying Mercedes' high-performance models in record numbers these days.
So, unsurprisingly, Mercedes has decided to expand the range, adding the new Mercedes-AMG C43 4Matic powertrain to the C-Class line-up - across all four body styles; sedan, wagon, Coupe and Cabriolet.
The C43 features a 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine that produces a healthy 270kW of power and 520Nm of torque and, as the name suggests, it sends its power to all four wheels via Mercedes' 4Matic system.
Effectively the same engine launched in the C450 Sport in 2015, the C43 has been updated with a nine-speed automatic transmission now standard.
That means it fills the gap nicely between the 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo C300 and the 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 C63 S, which offer up 180kW/370Nm and 375kW/700Nm respectively.
That mid-level performance also translates into the way it drives, as we recently discovered when we sampled the new C43 in Europe.
While it may be giving away 105kW and 180Nm to its AMG sibling the C43 never feels underwhelming in the performance stakes. Instead it offers up a very different, but arguably no less impressive, driving character to give Mercedes customers a new AMG experience.
Whereas the C63 is a wild machine, with more power than is really neccessary and an edgy rear-wheel drive chassis, the C43 is an easier and more relaxing car to drive quickly.
The engine offers up its peak torque from just 2000rpm which means there is excellent pulling power from low down in the rev range. Coupled with the all-wheel drive system, the C43 has no trouble building speed, with excellent on-the-move acceleration.
The nine-speed auto works brilliantly with the engine too, extracting the best performance out of it when called for but also effortlessly cruising along at highway or suburban speeds.
While it misses the sheer grunt of the C63 and the more emotive V8 soundtrack, the C43 V6 doesn't give away much in terms of performance to its big brother.
That is especially true when you throw the C43 at some corners. The smaller and lighter engine, combined with the better traction, helps the C43 feel more responsive and planted in a series of challenging corners than the more powerful and occasionally wild V8 muscle car.
That's not to suggest the C43 is better than the C63, just different. In essence, AMG has managed to create two very different machines with unique personalities but each linked by a common thread of DNA.
The rest of the C43 Coupe is much the same as you expect from the C-Class. Final Australian specifications haven't been announced but you can expect a high-level of standard equipment including a surround view parking camera, navigation, keyless entry and ignition and a 13-speaker Burmester sound system; all of which are already standard on the C300.
Pricing for the C43 is expected to start at approximately $100,000 for the sedan and increase by around $10,000 for the Coupe and the same again for the Cabriolet.
All variants of the C43 will arrive in Australia by the end of 2016 and if history is any guide they are likely to prove popular additions.
2016 Mercedes-AMG C63 4Matic Coupe pricing and specifications
On sale: Late 2016
Price: $110,000 (estimated)
Engine: 3.0-litre V6 twin-turbo petrol
Power: 270kW at 5500-6000rpm
Torque: 520Nm at 2000-4200rpm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic, all-wheel drive
Fuel use: 8.0L/100km
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