The C-Class has been a staple in the Mercedes lineup for decades. For many years now, the automaker has handed the car over to AMG for a special going-over. The standard C-Class was all-new for 2022, so while AMG typically sells a few flavors of the hotted-up sedan, the “entry-level” C 43 is the first to debut for the new-generation car.
Mercedes-AMG runs a Formula 1 team, and a successful one at that, but it’s taken until now for the automaker to bring existing race-bred tech to its production cars. The new C 43 gets an electric turbocharger that supplements its traditional turbo by reducing lag and improving responsiveness. That’s impressive for a vehicle that will eventually have two other models above it in the AMG catalog.
AMG upgraded the standard C-Class exterior with several exclusive touches when creating the new C 43 sport sedan. The car gets a unique grille and front bumper with air intakes. The rear bumper is shaped to look like air diffusers on a race car and features dual exhausts. The C 43 comes standard with 18-inch wheels, but AMG offers 19- and 20-inch options.
The C 43’s cabin brings AMG sport seats with synthetic leather and microfiber upholstery. Red seat belts and accent stitching help liven up the otherwise all-black interior. A Nappa leather-wrapped AMG Performance flat-bottom steering wheel is standard, complete with aluminum shift paddles. Other interior features on the C 43 include AMG sport pedals, AMG floor mats, and illuminated door sills.
Mercedes-AMG dropped the V6 from previous model years and instead installed a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine. It’s the same unit that powers the AMG GLA45 and a few other models in the catalog. It produces 402 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque and sends it to all four wheels through an AMG-tuned 9-speed automatic transmission. A 48-volt mild-hybrid system comes standard, which helps fill in gaps when the engine is using automatic stop/start and when coasting on the highway. AMG says the car can make the run from zero-to-60 mph in 4.6 seconds and notes an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph.
The car’s powertrain also gets a new Formula 1-derived electric exhaust-gas turbocharger. Powered by the 48-volt system, it improves performance by helping the mechanical turbo generate power earlier than it usually would. In normal turbocharged cars, the turbo needs time as the exhaust gas flow increases. This is called turbo lag and is why there can sometimes feel like a car gets a boost of power in the middle of accelerating. The electric exhaust-gas turbo reduces lag by driving the turbo shaft before exhaust gas flow is ready to take over.
The 2023 C43 also comes standard with rear-axle steering with up to 2.5 degrees of angle. The function turns the rear wheels in the opposite direction to the front wheels and works at speeds up to 37 mph. AMG says rear-steer improves maneuverability and reduces the car’s turning radius. It’s also designed to improve handling by sharpening turn-in and reducing steering effort.
The AMG C 43 should come with the same standard safety tech that the standard C-Class cars get. Mercedes adds a decent list of advanced driving assistance systems, which include:
The options list is much longer and includes features such as lane-keeping assistance, adaptive cruise control, a dashcam, a highway driving assistant, and a surround-view camera system.
The new C 43 has a 12.3-inch configurable gauge cluster and an 11.9-inch touchscreen infotainment display. Drivers can set up the gauges to display maps, vehicle performance data, entertainment information, and more. The system runs on Mercedes’ latest MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) interface, and a head-up display is available.
Since it’s an AMG car, the C 43 also gets the AMG Track Pace app. The program records dozens of data points like speed, G-forces, and brake pedal force up to ten times per second. The driver can access the information in the touchscreen display and view breakdowns of lap times.
The 2023 Mercedes-AMG C 43 competes against the Audi S4, BMW M3, and Genesis G70.
Mercedes-Benz is the source of information in this article. It was accurate as of April 28, 2022, but it may have changed since that date. Always confirm product details and availability with the automaker’s website or your local dealership.
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© 2022 J.D.Power. All rights reserved.
© 2019 J.D.Power. All rights reserved.