Mercedes-Benz is starting to flesh out its AMG family of vehicles with new modes that are smaller, less powerful, and more efficient than their V8 brethren, but all without losing the special visual and performance touches that make them worthy of the AMG badge.
The first new car to see this updated AMG treatment is the C-Class Coupe; dubbed the 2017 Mercedes-AMG C43. Rather than the twin-turbo V8 in the C63, the C43 makes use of a modified 3.0-liter V6 that uses a pair of turbocharges to push horsepower to AMG-necessary levels. The current total from this mill is rated at 362 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque. Getting all that power to the ground is the new 9G-Tronic automatic transmission and an AMG Performance version of the Mercedes 4MATIC AWD system.
According to the German marque, this drivetrain setup is good for a 0-60 sprint of just 4.6 seconds, but top speed is still limited to 155 mph.
Aside from the new motor and drivetrain setup, the C43 shares a lot of the same features you will find on the faster C63. Suspension components, chassis technology and aggressive design touches are all pulled form the more powerful AMG.
With Infiniti’s freshly announced 400 hp Q60 coming soon, Mercedes could use the lower level performance model to compete. Look for it in showrooms later this year.
