The Mercedes-Benz C-Class debuted in 1993 as the manufacturer’s entry-level sedan. Now 30 years old, the C class is no longer the cheapest in the lineup. It’s a go-to level for many brand loyalists and it’s expanded.
The newbie is the Mercedes-AMG C 43. It’s a turbocharged, four-cylinder (the V6 is gone) and the German automaker’s entry-level performance sedan. The electric turbocharger is a first for a production car. Competition includes the Audi S4, BMW M3 and Genesis G70.
While maintaining a traditionally attractive exterior like its stablemates, the Mercedes-AMG collaboration means the vehicle has sports car leanings. The exterior features a new front grille and a front bumper with air intakes. The rear bumper looks similar to air diffusers on a race car and includes dual exhausts. Eighteen-inch wheels are standard, but 19 and 20-inch wheels are optional.
The interior includes AMG sport seats with synthetic leather and microfiber upholstery. Red seat belts and accent stitching ideally contrast with an otherwise all-black interior. Performance-oriented elements include Nappa leather-wrapped flat-bottom steering wheel with aluminum shift paddles. Sport pedals, floor mats and illuminated door sills further define the AMG signature.
Performance comes from a 2.0-liter engine that produces 402 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, with all-wheel drive and an AMG-tuned nine-speed automatic transmission. A 48-volt mild-hybrid system takes power with the automatic stop/start feature when coasting in highway speed. The sedan-turned-sports car achieves the 0-to-60 miles per hour standard in 4.6 seconds. The C 43 is limited to 155 mph. Gas mileage averages are 19 miles per gallon in city driving, 26 mph on the highway.
The sedan-sports car persona isn’t always a smooth marriage. Mercedes-Benz models accelerate with a pleasing quick-enough pace. The Mercedes-AMG C 43 accelerates with a lengthy turbo lag with an aggressive engine note. The sound is more rough sore throat-sounding than smooth, confident roar.
Mercedes’ heritage as a smooth, quiet luxury sedan is deflated via the frustrating stop-start system. The engine stops at around five mph when decelerating and then doesn’t restart for what seems like an eternity for a performance car. And there’s nothing smooth about the restart. The delay is the car’s biggest disappointment.
Once past the initial engine engagement, the new AMG does far better. Acceleration, maneuvering, braking and overall drivability are more likely what Mercedes-AMG had in mind. True to reputation, the sedan drives stiff, poised and proud.
Technology abounds. Automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, automatic high-beam headlights, blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning and safe-exit warning, driver attention warning, parking damage sensors are standard. Adaptive cruise control, dashcam, highway driving assist, lane-keeping assist and a surround-view camera system are optional.
Bluetooth connectivity, lumbar support split-folding rear seats, power-folding side mirrors, power heated front seats with seat memory and rain-sensing windshield wipers and wireless smartphone integration (Apple CarPlay and Android Auto) extend the impressive features list.
The infotainment system is top-line with a 12.3-inch configurable gauge cluster and an 11.9-inch touchscreen. The system and its various maps, performance data and other function operations via Mercedes’ latest MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) interface. A head-up display is also available.
The front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan begins with a MSRP of $59,900. Six option packages and solo options, from the upgraded leather ($1,620) to the 10-spoke wheels ($1,450) to the panoramic roof ($1,000) push the price to $72,630.
Mercedes and AMG have combined for vast success in other performance vehicles and C 43 fills a new niche. But it’s a niche that may not need filling.
James Raia, a syndicated automotive journalist in Sacramento, is the founder and senior editor of theweeklydriver.com. It features a few weekly newsletter and podcast. Email: james@jamesraia.com.
