Getting over 400 hp from a four-cylinder used to be impossible. Now it’s the norm.
After releasing a brief teaser on Monday, Mercedes has fully revealed its newest addition to the AMG family: the 2023 Mercedes-AMG C43 sedan. It’s a spiced-up take on the new W206-generation C-Class, first revealed in 2021, with a four-cylinder engine making over 400 hp paired a nine-speed transmission, all-wheel-drive, and rear steering.
The biggest news here is the powertrain. Gone is the 385-hp twin-turbo V-6 from the previous C43, replaced by the company’s impeccable M139 turbocharged four-cylinder out of the CLA45, GLA45, and SL43. Tuned here to 402 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, it’s connected to a belt-driven starter-generator that operates via a 48-volt electrical system, which, in certain scenarios, can temporarily deliver an extra 13 hp to the powertrain. Helping to improve responsiveness is an electrically assisted turbocharger. This Formula 1-derived tech places a small electric motor on the turbine shaft, improving responsiveness and eliminating lag.
Power gets to all four wheels via a nine-speed automatic transmission and standard 4Matic all-wheel-drive that sends 69 percent of the torque to the rear. There’s also standard adaptive damping and rear-wheel steering. The rear wheels can turn up to 2.5 degrees in the opposite direction of the fronts up to 37 mph to improve maneuverability, and up to 0.7 degrees in the same direction at over 37 mph to improve stability and steering response.
Mercedes estimates the 2023 AMG C43 will hit 60 mph in 4.6 seconds, onto an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph. Option the bigger 19- or 20-inch wheels, and that speed raises to 165 mph.
The AMG C43 will be easy to identify over its less capable siblings thanks to a specific grille with vertical slats and chrome-plated trim. Out back you’ll find a unique bumper with a diffuser at the bottom and circular quad tailpipes. AMG even took the time to design side skirts specifically for the C43 to match the reworked fascias.
Inside, there’s a handful of AMG appointments, such as MB-Tex and microfiber upholstery with contrast red stitching, red seatbelts, an AMG performance steering wheel, AMG pedals, AMG floor mats, and illuminated AMG door sills. Something tells us you won’t forget you’re driving an AMG-badged car while you’re inside.
For the 0.01 percent of C43 drivers who plan to take their car to the track, Mercedes offers an optional in-car data logger system it calls AMG Track Pace. The system records over 80 data points from the car, such as speed, acceleration, steering angle, and pedal input, at 10 times per second to give information to the driver to help them improve lap times.
Mercedes has yet to release pricing for the C43, but we suspect it’ll come in at the low $60,000 range once it hits U.S. dealers in late 2022.
Keyword: The 2023 Mercedes-AMG C43 Makes 402 HP Thanks to Electric Turbocharging