New Mercedes-AMG C 43 revealed with just four cylinders

Mercedes-AMG has kicked off its new-generation W206 Mercedes-Benz C-Class portfolio with the 2023 Mercedes-AMG C 43 sports sedan, and it’s powered by a 300kW four-cylinder engine.

Signalling a new wave of downsizing for combustion engines from Mercedes-AMG, the four-pot C-Class is scheduled to arrive in Australian showrooms in the first half of 2023.

With more power, all-wheel drive, bigger brakes, an advanced chassis with rear-axle steering and a sports body kit, the new AMG C 43 is almost certain to be priced higher than its circa-$113,000 turbo V6-powered predecessor, given prices for the new C 200 and C 300 models launched in March climbed by more than $10,000.

The 2023 Mercedes-AMG C 43 sedan’s new 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine belts out 300kW of power (10kW less than the same engine in the A 45, CLA 45 and GLA 45 AMGs) at 6750rpm and 500Nm of torque at 5000rpm.

Those figures are 13kW up but 20Nm down on the previous Mercedes-AMG C 43, the twin-turbo 3.0-litre petrol V6 in which produced 287kW at 6100rpm and 520Nm over 2500-5000rpm.

However, a 48-volt mild-hybrid system can ‘briefly’ generate an extra 10kW of power under full throttle, says AMG.

Despite offering less peak torque higher in the rev range, the new C 43 is claimed to accelerate to 100km/h in 4.6 seconds – a tenth of a second faster than before – in part because its M139 engine is aided by two-stage petrol injection and Formula 1-derived electric turbo technology.

First seen in the new Mercedes-Benz SL 43 roadster, the latter comprises a small electric motor to spool up the turbine at low revs and even from idle, before exhaust gases spin the turbo in traditional fashion as the revs rise.

AMG says this delivers “significantly more dynamic” acceleration from standstill and it could all but eliminate turbo lag. The electrically-assisted turbocharger can also maintain boost pressure at higher revs and even when drivers come off the throttle.

Engine power is sent to all four wheels, with 69 per cent of torque nominally distributed to the rear, via a nine-speed automatic multi-clutch transmission (MCT).

Along with an impressive 4.6sec 0-100km/h sprint time, achieved via the ‘Race Start’ launch control system, the car’s electronically-limited top speed of 250km/h can be upped to 265km/h via the optional AMG Driver’s Package.

As well as improving the C 43’s pace over its predecessor, AMG has fettled the chassis to deliver better handling, with adaptive dampers and active rear-axle steering that can turn the rear wheels in both directions to aid both high-speed stability and low-speed manoeuvrability.

Large alloy wheels measuring up to 20-inch in diameter are joined by 370mm front and 320mm rear brake rotors, while a sports exhaust system with quad outlets adds a little more aural drama.

Together with the new-look twin-screen infotainment set-up introduced on the new-generation C-Class, including a vertical 11.9-inch central touch-screen, the new C 43 adds several special touches such as leather-like Artico sports seat trim and a nappa leather-clad sports steering wheel with aluminium paddle shifters and drive mode controller.

Other expected extras include AMG pedals, AMG floor mats, illuminated door sills with AMG lettering and AMG-specific menus and data for the head-up display and infotainment systems.

The new Mercedes-AMG C 43 will be available as a wagon overseas, but it won’t be offered in Australia. However, coupe and convertible versions of the new C 43 are expected to materialise in future.

If the new C 43 is AMG’s W206 entree, the main course will be the next-gen Mercedes-AMG C 63 S – the long-awaited replacement for one of Australia’s top-selling AMG models.

This time round, however, the ultimate C-Class sedan will ditch its twin-turbo V8 in favour of a plug-in hybrid version of the C 43’s four-cylinder powertrain that AMG engineers have told carsales will pump out “at least” 480kW.

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