Seven cars, four new debuts for the AMG ‘lite’ 43 range explained in simple English 

SINGAPORE – As befitting of a company that originally started out building race engines, AMG-tuned vehicles are typically characterised by their weapons-grade powerplants – to the extent that in some older models, the rest of the car could feel overwhelmed by all that mighty grunt. 

No such worries with the new AMG 43 range that was just launched at Sepang though. Intended as a stepping stone toward the ‘full-fat’ AMG 63 experience, AMG 43 models come with tamer engines, as well as a much tamer price tag. 

All the cars also share the same drivetrain, a twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 coupled to the latest nine speed 9G-Tronic automatic transmission, and all bar the SLC 43 have the added security of Mercedes’ 4Matic all wheel drive system – albeit with power split 31% and 69% to the front and rear to inject some spice into the handling.

That engine sounds good – far zingier and raspier than many turbocharged motors in recent years. The V8 in the AMG 63s is more exciting, obviously, but the V6 has a lot going for it too – we think it has a far more tuneful sound, for example, it sings where the 63’s V8 barks.

In the styling department, subtlety is the name of the game. AMG 43 models look largely similar to their humble four-cylinder siblings kitted out in AMG Line trim, but with a few extra accoutrements such as the requisite sport kit, larger rims, black mirror caps, red seatbelts, and ‘Biturbo’ and ‘AMG’ badging. No cartoonishly over the top bulges, vents or flares here.

Four new models launched at Sepang earlier this week – the C 43 coupe, the E 43 sedan, plus the GLC 43 and GLC 43 Coupe SUVs.

We know you’ve probably gone a bit cross-eyed trying to figure out what’s what, so here is the entire 43 range broken down into an easy spotter’s guide for reference. Not mentioned here are GLE models, which weren’t present at Sepang – the regular GLE 43, which we haven’t tested, and the GLE 43 Coupe, which we have tested in its previous life as the rather diffident GLE 450 AMG.

Mercedes-AMG C 43 Sedan
Price $323,888 with COE
Power & Torque 367bhp & 520Nm
0-100km/h 4.7s
Top speed 250km/h (limited)
This one’s easy: It’s the latest W205 C-Class given the AMG 43 treatment. The first car to wear the ‘AMG 43’ badge, the C 43 debuted here late last year and was originally known as the C 450 AMG until the 43 range was incorporated into the new Mercedes-AMG naming scheme. With the C 400 model missing from Singapore, it’s now the most affordable way to bag yourself a six-cylinder AMG. It’s pretty much a perfect fit for the 43 treatment and delivers gobs of performance along with a wide range of ability, just like its big brother the C 63. It’s no wonder we’re in love with the C43 sedan, as our review details.

Mercedes-AMG C 43 Coupe
Price $336,888 with COE
Power & Torque 367bhp & 520Nm
0-100km/h 4.7s
Top speed 250km/h (limited)
Mercedes is the number one seller of coupes here in Singapore, and we suspect the vast majority of them are C-Class coupes. No surprise since the coupe manages to look almost ostentatiously good despite it being a mere ‘regular’ coupe. Trading the sedan’s handsome good looks for curves in all the right places and a svelte, swooping roofline that’s 37mm lower, That lowered roofline also helps bring down the car’s centre of gravity, making for the sportiest drive in the C-class range.

Mercedes-AMG C 43 Cabriolet
Price $369,888 with COE
Power & Torque 367bhp & 520Nm
0-100km/h 4.8s
Top speed 250km/h (limited)
The al fresco option of the C Coupe. Same front and rear styling as the Coupe, but with the ability to go from zero to blue skies in 24 seconds thanks to the folding soft top. Best of all, the rear seats are spacious enough for four adults, so you can share the V6’s sonorous performance with your friends. The extra weight of the cabrio does dull agility, but our upcoming review shows this isn’t such a big deal, especially in daily driving.

Mercedes-AMG C 43 E43 Sedan
Price $394,888 with COE
Power & Torque 401bhp & 520Nm
0-100km/h 4.6s
Top speed 250km/h (limited)
The latest Mercedes-AMG E 63 S has 612bhp. That pretty much makes the E 43 a total necessity, since a ‘mere’ 401bhp looks downright sane in comparison. The largest sedan in the 43 range, in black, it’s a bit like a martial artist in a tuxedo – restrained looks, but with a slight hint of the muscular potency beneath, as it still has 34bhp more than the other AMG 43 cars to be exact, which makes it the fastest in the 0-100km/h sprint as well. We tested the less powerful but similar E 400 on Estoril circuit and found it a decently quick machine. Like the C 400, the E 400 isn’t available in Singapore, and so the E 43 should easily be even more focused.

Mercedes-AMG GLC 43
Price $301,888 with COE
Power & Torque 367bhp & 520Nm
0-100km/h 4.9s
Top speed 250km/h (limited)
The GLC SUV, launched here last year, is a Mercedes hit. Its predecessor, the GLK, never came to Singapore so the new car has made up for time with a months-long waiting list. We think it’s the best Merc SUV to date too, not too large nor small, with good handling and refinement. ‘43ing’ it will only make it better, we think, so you can scare the kids silly and set new records on the school run in the process. And with 40/20/40 split folding seats, as well as a maximum 1,600 litres of boot space, you’ll be able to carry everything including the kitchen sink as well.

Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 Coupe
Price TBA
Power & Torque 367bhp & 520Nm
0-100km/h 4.9s
Top speed 250km/h (limited)
If the BMW X6 is the slinky-roofed version of the X5, likewise the GLE Coupe and GLE, likewise likewise the smaller GLC Coupe and GLC. For those who want the vaunted SUV bodystyle, but who think the regular GLC looks too boxy. We were able to spend quite a lot of track time behind the wheel of this, and it carried itself well for a 1.7-tonne vehicle. In the AMG Dynamic Select’s ‘Sport+’ mode, the body remained impressively flat through Sepang’s long sweeping corners, but naturally, physics dictates it would be nowhere near as agile as the smaller AMG 43 offerings.

Mercedes-AMG SLC 43
Price TBA
Power & Torque 367bhp & 520Nm
0-100km/h 4.7s
Top speed 250km/h (limited)
The SLC and its predecessor, the SLK, may long have had a reputation as a car for hairdressers, college girls and the like, but with this new engine, the SLC 43 has the performance to blow the smirk clean off the critics’ faces. Unlike all the other four- and five- seater models, the SLC 43 is rear wheel drive only – the better to maintain its traditional two seater sports car feel. Imagine the SL 400, which has a less powerful version of the 3.0-litre V6, but with smaller dimensions and even nippier handling.