Mercedes-Benz has revealed that its new high-performance C43 is on sale in South Africa from today at a starting price of R1,608,810 which includes a 5-year/100,000km maintenance plan.
The C43 is the “tamer” version of the legendary C63 nameplate and features a hybridised power source with technologies derived directly from Formula 1, according to the manufacturer.
The new AMG will now assume the flagship role in the C-Class range for a large part of 2023 until its bigger brother arrives at the end of the year.
High-performance hybrid
Under the hood, the C43 sees a 2.0-litre petrol engine married to a 48-volt mild-hybrid system which combines for an output of 300kW and 500Nm, with an extra 10kW of Overboost available during launch thanks to the semi-electric foundation.
The configuration also incorporates an electric exhaust gas turbocharger which “significantly improves the response directly from idle speed and across the entire rev range,” said Mercedes.
Further to this, the drive unit pairs with a nine-speed automatic transmission with Slippery, Comfort, Sport, Sport+, and Individual modes, partnered with a permanent all-wheel-drive system that distributes 69% of the power to the rear axle and 31% to the front.
There is also a “Glide” function that disconnects the combustion engine from the drivetrain to save on fuel usage in certain scenarios, as well as a Race Start feature that burns as much fuel as possible to get the best acceleration out of the blocks.
With this ability activated, the C43 rockets to 100km/h in 4.6 seconds and tops out at 250km/h, which can be taken to 265km/h if the owner is willing to pay for that privilege. In everyday driving, the hybrid Mercedes then consumes petrol at a rate of 8.7-9.1l/100km.
Of course, a powerful engine isn’t the only thing that’s needed for a sports car to stand out in the modern era.
As such, the C43 was on the receiving end of the AMG Ride Control suspension with adaptive damping, which enables both sporty driving as well as long-distance comfort, said the automaker.
Rear-wheel steering is standard, too, offering enhanced agility at speeds under 100km/h by turning the rear wheels up to 2.5 degrees in the opposite angle of those at the front, and better stability over 100km/h by turning the rear wheels up to 0.7 degrees in the same angle as those at the front.
The AMG braking system in black with perforated and ventilated disc brakes is also equipped, as is the AMG exhaust system with aggressive sound characteristics that are controlled via an exhaust gas flap.
AMG-exclusive additions
Befitting its flagship status, the C43 comes with numerous AMG-exclusive details such as a distinctive radiator grille, a front apron with sporty air inlets, chrome side sills, a “diffuser-look” rear apron, four exhaust outlets, and 18-inch light-alloy wheels which can be upsized to 19 or 20 inches.
Inside the cabin, amenities encompass AMG seats wrapped in man-made leather/microfibre, red seat belts with matching contrast stitching, the AMG Performance steering wheel in Nappa leather, aluminium gearshift paddles, and AMG sports pedals, floor mats, and illuminated door sills.
Furthermore, the MBUX infotainment system brings several AMG-specific abilities such as special graphics, a shortcut button for the dynamic drive modes, and the AMG Track Pace application that records more than 80 data points including speed, acceleration, steering angle, and brake pedal actuation ten times per second when on a race track.
Mercedes-AMG C43
Keyword: New Mercedes-AMG C43 now on sale in South Africa – Official pricing