Mercedes-Benz C-Class Gets A Sportier Avatar, C43 AMG Launched At Rs 98 Lakh

• Mercedes C43 AMG launched at Rs 98 lakh (ex-showroom).

• Gets AMG-specific exterior styling bits, enhancing its sporty quotient.

• AMG-spec interior equipment includes steering wheel, sport seats, and customised infotainment graphics.

• Packs a four-cylinder 2-litre turbo-petrol engine with an output of 403PS and 500Nm.

• Gets F1-derived electrically operated turbocharger.

• 9-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission powers all four wheels for a 0-100kmph time of 4.6 seconds.

Mercedes-Benz is embracing the Indian festivities with two new launches! We’ve got the facelifted GLE, which panders to comfort and luxury, and now the C43 AMG, which blurs the lines between performance and practicality. The latter has been launched with prices starting from Rs 98 lakh and here’s what you need to know about it:

C43 AMG Exterior and interior

Like every AMG-spec model, the C43 too gets AMG-specific add-ons to the standard vehicle. So this one gets the signature Panamericana vertical slats for the grille, complemented by restyled and aggressive bumpers. There are AMG-specific alloy wheels in profile, along with a revised diffuser and exhaust setup at the rear. A lower ride height also gives it a nice and sporty stance.

The AMG-specific cues continue on the inside with an AMG-specific steering wheel and sports seats in the front to keep up with the overall theme. The 11.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system along with the digital driver’s display get upgraded graphics that have been tweaked with racier graphics for the AMG experience. 

C43 AMG Powertrain

Now, this isn’t the full-blown C63 AMG trim of the C-class sedan. Yet, the C43 AMG packs quite a potent 2-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine, which puts out 403PS/500Nm to all four wheels via a 9-speed DCT gearbox. That’s a 13PS jump in power, despite having two less cylinders than the outgoing model.

Also Read: THIS Is What The Mahindra Thar.e Could Look Like!

The result? Neck-snapping acceleration for a 0-100kmph time of 4.6 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 250kmph. It also borrows a slight boost (+14PS) from its 48-V mild-hybrid system when being driven hard.

Mercedes has applied learnings and tech from its Formula 1 division, which comes in the form of an electrically driven turbocharger. This improves performance in the lower range. You also get rear-wheel steering and performance-based suspension with adaptive dampers, that can be tweaked via the five drive modes (Slippery, Comfort, Sport, Sport+, and Individual) on offer. 

The C43 AMG offers you a sportier alternative to the standard C-Class sedan, prices for which range between Rs 60 lakh and Rs 66 lakh (ex-showroom). The BMW M340i and Audi S5 Sportback are the only rivals to Mercedes’ C43 AMG performance sedan.