What's the news?
Mercedes-AMG has revealed the new C 43 Coupe, a more attainable (yet still sporty) version of the slinky two-door than the full-on C 63 Coupe. It makes its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show next week.
Exterior
Although the C 43 doesn't get the wider haunches of the Mercedes-AMG C 63 Coupe, it still looks the part thanks to a new front bumper with large air intakes and bespoke mesh design, along with a restyled radiator grille featuring chrome-plated pins. The new splitter design is accentuated by silver chrome trim, mimicking the colour of the grille. Black door mirrors complement the high-gloss black window frames at the side and buyers can further the black theme if they opt for the Night package and the relatively subtle carbon fibre boot spoiler pictured. As standard, the exhaust outlets (two divided to appear as four) are chrome-plated, while the five-spoke alloy wheels measure 7.5 x 18-inch up front and 8.5 x 18-inch at the back. Pictured are a set of 19-inch rims from the extensive options list.
Interior
Inside, the new C 43 does a fair impression of the C 63 model, starting with enhanced sports seats and a chunky flat-bottomed steering wheel. The latter is trimmed in black leather and features red stitching. That theme continues throughout, though the seats are upholstered in a mix of Artico and Dinamica (Merc's man-made versions of leather and Alcantara). Artico is also used in other touchpoints of the cabin, while the seat belts are red and the trim panels have a distinctive grained aluminium look. The instruments are new as well, featuring a 280km/h speedometer and a 'RaceTimer' function.
Mechanicals
Under the bonnet of the Mercedes-AMG C 43 Coupe is a twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine, developed from a non-AMG unit. Maximum power is 367hp, produced between 5,500- and 6,000rpm, while 520Nm of torque is on tap from 2,000- to 4,200rpm. Depending on wheel size fitted, CO2 emissions range from 178- to 183g/km (all Band E) and Mercedes quotes 7.8- to 8.0 litres/100km on the combined cycle. Top speed is limited to 250km/h and the C 43 dispatches the 0-100km/h run in 4.7 seconds.
That impressive time is no doubt thanks in part to the C 43's standard 4Matic four-wheel drive system. Using the 'AMG Performance' strategy, this sends 69 per cent of the engine output to the rear wheels by default to give the car a rear-drive feel. Between the engine and those wheels is a nine-speed automatic transmission with plenty of operation modes and solid gearchange paddles behind the steering wheel for those that want to take control for themselves. Drivers can choose between Eco, Comfort, Sport, Sport Plus and Individual settings for the car via the standard AMG Dynamic Select rotary switch. This affects the speed-sensitive, variable ratio power steering too, though the automatic variable damping system gets its own three-way switch. Other mechanical changes have been made to the suspension in a bid to give the C 43 more engaging dynamics than the standard Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe.
Anything else?
Mercedes-AMG has confirmed that the C 43 Coupe represents the first model in a new series of '43' cars, with plenty more to come. Tobias Moers, chairman of Mercedes-AMG GmbH, had this to say: "The extension of the C-Class family to include the new C 43 4Matic Coupe is another component in our growth strategy. It not only enriches the wide line-up of the C-Class family, but also starts the introduction of a whole series of new '43' models this year. The '43' models boast the characteristic AMG genes, which are also included in our GT and '63' vehicles, and thus consistently interpret our brand essence of 'Driving Performance' in their segment".