GENEVA MOTOR SHOW: Mercedes-AMG C 43 Coupe detailed

Buyer appetite for high-performance vehicles shows no sign of waning and Mercedes-AMG is eager to oblige, revealing details of its new Mercedes-AMG C 43 4MATIC Coupe today.

Powered by the same twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 as the C-Class AMG 450 4MATIC it replaces in Europe and the US, but upgraded from a seven-speed to a nine-speed automatic, the new AMG C 43 motivates with more gusto now.

Although power output remains unchanged at 270kW and 520Nm, the extra two gear ratios give the car an extra turn of speed, ripping to 100km/h in just 4.7 seconds – down from 4.9 seconds.

Coming to Australia in in the fourth quarter of 2016, the new model will slot between regular C-Class cars (priced from $60,000) and the mad twin-turbo C 63 S ($150K), so expect a price of around $110,000 – roughly the same price as the Audi S4.

Available in Australia exclusively with the 4MATIC all-wheel drive system, the Mercedes-AMG C 43 4MATIC Coupe makes its global premiere at the Geneva motor show on March 1, and won't be a watered-down AMG, said Mercedes-AMG chairman Tobias Moers.

"The '43' models boast the characteristic AMG genes, which are also included in our GT and '63' vehicles, and thus consistently interpret our brand essence of 'Driving Performance' in their segment," he said.

It's not yet clear if the arrival of the 43 AMG models means the C 450 AMG 4MATIC models – and indeed the AMG Sport sub-brand – will be slowly dissolved.

"The extension of the C-Class family to include the new C 43 4MATIC Coupe is another component in our growth strategy," stated Moers.

"It not only enriches the wide line-up of the C-Class family, but also starts the introduction of a whole series of new '43' models this year," he said.

Some of the other highlights from the Mercedes-AMG C 43 4MATIC Coupe bag of tricks include a "newly developed front axle" featuring new steering knuckles to ensure "taut elastokinematics".

There is also a rear-biased torque split for the AWD system. In normal use it pumps 69 per cent of torque to the rear axle, and just 31 per cent to the front axle, maintaining a rear-drive feel.

The 360mm front and 320mm rear brakes are unchanged in diameter compared to the AMG 450 models it replaces, and an electronically-limited top speed of 250km/h also remains.

The car features slightly bolder body work than the regular C-Class Coupe, with bolder front and rear fascias and a slim boot lip spoiler.

Variable damping with five drive modes will be offered, along with a three-stage electronic stability program. The interior also features several sporty upgrades, including a flat-bottom steering wheel and sports seats with red stitching.