A More Casual Mercedes-AMG E43 To Sell For $160,000
Giancarlo Perlas October 6, 2016
As Germany’s favorite business sedan, the Mercedes-AMG E43 finally seems to want to loosen its tie. It doesn’t have that formal physique of the E63, but it will fill that void between macho and rippled flagship and the E-Class.
Mercedes isn’t using the E-Class platform for this. Rather, it wants the E43 to be a more comfortable and more subtle version of Australia’s favorite, the C63 S.
According to reports, the E43 will arrive in December and will carry the price tag of $160,000. With it comes a a 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 engine with 295kW at 6100rpm and 520Nm delivered between a broad 2500rpm and 5000rpm.
It claims to be able to go 0-100 kilometers in 4.6 seconds, which is already in HSV territory. It is being matched against the C63 S, though its 4.6 seconds is no competition for the latter’s 4.0 seconds. The better match up happens to be with the $170,000 Audi S6, but that certainly packs a higher output of 331kW/550Nm 4.0-litre turbo V8.
It has a standard nine-speed automatic, which is the powertrain star. When pushed to its most aggressive setting, the E43 can have a dual clutch-like speed though downshifting seems to have a bit of a snag.
It has an all-wheel drive system that was supposed to deliver 69 percent of drive to the 275mm-wide rear rubber, but at 1,765 kilograms, the E43 struggles to reach a smooth driver involvement characteristic of the Sport Handling Mode in the AMG.
Inside, it has an Alcantara-clad steering wheel, which is typical of AMG classes. It also has part-leather sports seats that might challenge those looking for an urban but conservative sedan.
