Mercedes-AMG C 43 launched at Rs. 74.35 lakh

The Mercedes-AMG C43 sedan bridges the performance gap between the range-topping C 63 AMG and the regular C 200 in India.

If you’ve always fancied a Mercedes-Benz C-Class that’s ‘far more exciting than the C 200, but a little less intimidating than the full-blown C 63 AMG, here’s your best bet – the Mercedes-AMG C 43. And it’s now available in India, carrying a price-tag of Rs. 74.35 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).

The C 43 AMG is Mercedes’ 13^th and final launch for this year. It’s also the third Mercedes-AMG product to go on sale here this year after the GLE 450 AMG and SLC 43 AMG. And the similarities with the duo do not end there. Like the other two, the C 43 AMG is also powered by the firm's 3.0-litre Biturbo V6 petrol that churns out 362bhp and 520Nm of peak torque. Unlike the rear-wheel drive C 63 AMG though, power reserves are channeled to all four-wheels in the C 43 via a 9-speed automatic gearbox.

Performance wise, the C 43 certainly does justice to its AMG badge – 0-100km/h is dealt within 4.7 seconds – which is only a seven-tenth slower than the C 63 AMG. Top speed, however, is electronically limited to 250km/h.

Compared to the C 63 AMG, the exterior of the C43 has a retrained look, too. Barring a few details like Biturbo badging on the fenders, diamond-finish radiator grille, 5-spoke 18-inch AMG wheels (19-inch optional), redesigned front splitter and rear diffuser, the C 43 AMG looks quite discreet. Inside, the changes are quite subtle, albeit effectively highlighting the car’s sporty aspirations. The cabin gets a fair dosage of leather with contrast red stitching along with a flat-bottom steering wheel wrapped in leather. It also gets a special AMG instrument cluster.

Among other highlights, the C 43 comes with AMG Sport Suspension with automatic variable damping. Simply put, you can alter the damping characteristics between three modes – Comfort, Sport and Sport Plus. There are also 5 settings for the transmission – Eco, Comfort, Sport, Sport Plus and Individual.

The Mercedes-AMG C 43 only has one direct rival in the country at the moment, the Audi S5.

Also read: Mercedes-AMG GT R claims fastest RWD lap record at Nurburgring