The new Mercedes-AMG C43 went on sale in South Africa earlier this month for a whopping R1.6 million.
Coming in as the penultimate model in the high-performance C-Class range, the C43 isn’t the most powerful or aggressive-looking of the AMGs, but it is still a proper driving machine.
The four-door sees a 48-volt hybridized 2.0-litre engine with an electric exhaust-gas turbocharger, a first in its segment, paired with a nine-speed gearbox and all-wheel-drive underpinnings.
The combination produces 300kW and 500Nm and is good for catapulting the Merc from 0-100km/h in 4.6 seconds and to a top speed of 265km/h with the optional AMG Driver’s package installed, else it’s limited to 250km/h.
To complement the enthusiastic powerplant, the C43 features the AMG Ride Control suspension with adaptive damping, the AMG braking system with black callipers, the AMG exhaust system with four tailpipes, and rear-wheel steering for enhanced agility under 100km/h and better stability over.
Lending it that signature aggressive look, the C-Class then gets a distinctive radiator grille, a front apron with sporty air inlets, chrome side sills, a “diffuser-look” rear apron, and 18-inch light-alloy wheels which can be upsized to 19 or 20 inches.
It also comes with heaps of model-exclusive trimmings on the inside, such as carbon fibre finishes, AMG sports seats, red seat belts, the AMG Performance steering wheel, aluminium gearshift paddles, AMG sports pedals, floor mats, and illuminated door sills, as well as the AMG Track Pace programme that measures up to 80 data parameters when dashing around a racetrack.
AMG C43 vs The competition
See how the new Mercedes-AMG C43 stacks up against its closest competitors in the South African market below:
Model | Starting price | Power | 0-100km/h | Top speed |
---|---|---|---|---|
Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloce | R1,086,900 | 206kW/400Nm | 5.7 seconds | 240km/h |
Audi S4 TFSI Quattro | R1,087,000 | 260kW/500Nm | 4.7 seconds | 250km/h |
BMW M340i xDrive | R1,338,207 | 285kW/500Nm | 4.3 seconds | 250km/h |
Lexus LS 500 F Sport | R2,397,600 | 310kW/600Nm | 5.0 seconds | 250km/h |
Maserati Ghibli GT | R2,250,000 | 243kW/450Nm | 5.7 seconds | 255km/h |
Mercedes-AMG C43 4Matic | R1,625,660 | 300kW/500Nm | 4.6 seconds | 250km/h |
Keyword: Sports sedans competing against the new Mercedes-AMG C43