Mercedes-AMG C 43 Coupe 2016 Review

Mercedes-AMG C 43 Coupe
Australian Launch
Toolangi, Victoria

AMGs have long come in one flavour, best described as "extreme". Tyre-shredding power, head-turning noise and lavish driver involvement were the hallmarks of the cars that Mercedes-Benz's go-fast factory spat out. At $105,615, the new Mercedes-AMG C 43 Coupe runs a boosted V6 in lieu of the C 63's big, bustling V8. It adds AWD too and costs $50K less than the V8. It's not outrageous like its cousins… But could that be a good thing?

There's always been a gap in the AMG line-up between its top-shelf V8 and V12 twin-turbo vehicles and regular models. In the C-Class range if you don't want to drop $155,000 on the intense Mercedes-AMG C 63 S sedan, the next rung down was the C 300 – a 2.0-litre four-banger without steroidal muscle mass.

But with the advent of the AMG '43' models – the C-Class Coupe version on test here – there's now a new option.

Packing a lusty new AMG-developed powertrain, the C 43 Coupe is a fast, capable and lively performer that looks and feels good. Stepping into the vehicle, you sit nice and low to the ground in supportive, enveloping front seats, the wrap-around dashboard creating an ensconced impression within the vehicle.

Once the seats are adjusted, the mirrors set and belts on, thumb the starter button and the C 43 Coupe's 3.0-litre engine comes to life with a soft but gruff tenor.

The safety belts tighten slightly as the car gets underway and under full throttle the new twin-turbo V6's 270kW and 520Nm delivers grin-inducing propulsion.

It's not quite squeeze-your-organs-into-your-spine type acceleration, and without a launch mode the 4.7-second sprint to 100km/h is about as believable as Johnny Depp's performance in The Tourist. But the car is swift and responsive, no question.

Top speed is electronically limited to 250km/h, so theoretically it could go faster. Mid-gear roll-on acceleration is considerable too, the twin-turbo set-up providing lots of turbo-boost and little lag.

It feels athletic and eager and far more aggressive than a regular Benz and it's clear there's been some heavy-duty fettling. But for all that, it's not quite as delightfully bonkers as the rest of the current AMG portfolio.

Nevertheless, it's astonishing to think that after reaching triple digits in third gear you've still got six gears left to play with. In less extreme scenarios, such as nose-to-tail in traffic or cruising on the highway, the gearbox is smooth operator and helps the engine achieve a measure of fuel efficiency.

Yet the usually docile transmission has been transformed into a rapid-fire gunslinger by AMG, snapping through gears quickly and even holding at the rev limit until you tell it otherwise in manual mode.

The chassis has AMG's greasy fingerprints all over it too. The adaptive suspension delivers impressive levels of comfort when set to sloth mode but firms up appreciably in sports-plus. It's not as bone-jarring as the battle-ready 375kW AMG C 63 S and would be a more prudent choice if daily driving duties are compulsory.

Even so, the C 43 Coupe has a flat attitude through corners, the nose tucking in remarkably quickly in sharper bends, the car hanging on through bends with conviction. The newly-adopted AMG-tuned all-wheel drive system helps too, delivering vice-like mid-corner grip.

When the engine's really singing – anything above 4000rpm – it blasts out of curves like gelignite, the engine and chassis coming together nicely. Considering it's a forced-induction engine, it's got a fairly high 10.5:1 compression ratio, which results in whip-crack throttle response but means you'll need 98 RON premium petrol to fuel it.

With AWD traction and big 19-inch alloy wheels, grip levels are tip-top, acceleration is keen and the brakes – big 360mm rotors up front and 320mm jobbies at the back – allow the slinky two-door car plenty of scope to push deep into corners.

Except for quick changes of direction, where its 1735kg weight is often felt dragging its heels, the car has a charming, engaging balance about it.

The steering is an improvement over regular Mercedes cars with a touch more communication, but too much steering lock and "more speed now" overexcites the stability control, like a toddler overdosing on ice cream cake.

Overall it's a neat and tidy package, but if this is an AMG it should be able to spin a wheel out of a hairpin, even for a moment – especially given the entire powertrain has been fettled by AMG.

We're talking the 2996cc (3.0-litre) biturbo V6, the nine-speed automatic and the 4MATIC AWD system that transfers all that power to the road in a fixed (and rather lovely) 31:69 front-rear split.

It's fettled, but not built by AMG. And the distinction is significant… to purists.

All modern AMGs up until this point have been built at the AMG factory, with a strict "one man, one engine" policy. That means the bloke who builds your engine cares about it enough to sign it at the end of the process. And that's important.

This car, the Mercedes-AMG C 43 Coupe -- and all other '43' models -- get mass-produced engines that turn their back on this AMG tradition.

It could be argued the ditching of a hand-built V8 engine is $50,000 saved, and a savvy move for C-Class buyers. But it's more than just an engine exchange.

Full-blooded AMG 45, 63 and 65 models also get more robust, faster shifting transmissions, not to mention stronger brakes and track-toughened suspension. They also get special gear knobs, while the C 43 AMG Coupe and its '43' siblings retain a gear shift lever located on the steering column, which feels about as sporty as a morbidly obese guinea pig.

To its credit, the Mercedes-AMG C 43 Coupe makes decent music – but only when the sports exhaust system is optioned for $4990 as part of the Performance Ergonomic Package. This pack also adds more heavily bolstered seats and better trim on the steering wheel too.

The engine note itself is somewhat monotonous and can't get anywhere near the crisp V6 bark of the Jaguar F-TYPE. But it does crackle satisfyingly when you button off the throttle and it growls angrily between gearshifts under full acceleration. Is it enough drama to warrant the AMG badge? In a word, no.

Mercedes-AMG has crafted a lovely cabin that's equal parts luxury and sports (notwithstanding the passe column shifter), with black leather, red stitching and gorgeous touch points, such as on the door-handles, alloy pedals and the AMG steering wheel.

The boot is average-sized at 400 litres, there are loads of standard features such as a panoramic glass sliding sunroof, premium Burmester surround sound system, sat-nav, head-up display, adaptive LED headlights, 360-degree parking camera and an anti-theft alarm with interior surveillance system.

Nine airbags and automatic lane-keeping (steering) work with active collision prevention systems and semi-autonomous emergency braking to round out a stellar safety package.

This is an enjoyable car to drive fast and slow, it looks incredible, it's got the right badge and it has a much lower price tag than other AMGs, but it's not as outrageous as its AMG siblings – all of which will help broaden its appeal.

Indeed, the C 43 Coupe represents strong value for money and we've no doubt it will become one of the top-selling AMGs in Australia.

But this is not a pure-bred AMG and after five laps around the Phillip Island circuit I wonder whether the transmission fluid would boil and the brakes begin to stink.

Whatever the case, I think the AMG name in this instance is overkill. The C 43 just doesn't feel special enough to warrant the Affalterbach's hallowed badge.

2016 Mercedes-AMG C 43 Coupe pricing and specifications:
Price: $105,615 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 3.0-litre V6 turbo-petrol
Output: 270kW/520Nm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Fuel: 8.2L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 188g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star

Also consider:
>> BMW M2 (from $98,615 plus ORCs)
>> Jaguar F-TYPE Coupe (from $119,545 plus ORCs)
>> Audi S5 Coupe (from $122,616 plus ORCs)