Mercedes-AMG C 43 4MATIC revealed with four-cylinder, mild-hybrid and electric turbo

The Mercedes-AMG C 43 4MATIC has just been unveiled and, as many expected, it drops the previous model’s V6 in favour of a four-cylinder engine.

Even so, this is far from an ordinary four-cylinder. In this new generation, the C 43 4MATIC uses the M 139 first seen in the A 45 - here referred to as the M 139L because it is mounted longitudinally in the C-Class - and further developed in the SL 43 by pairing it with a mild-hybrid system and an electric turbo.

This combination gives the Mercedes-AMG C 43 4MATIC a maximum output of 408 cv at 6750 rpm and peak torque of 500 Nm at 5000 rpm. These figures are higher than the 381 cv and 480 Nm produced by the same engine in the SL 43, and it also beats the outgoing C 43 4MATIC V6 on power, with that engine rated at 390 cv and 520 Nm.

Mild-hybrid and electric turbo

As in the SL 43, the turbocharger is supported by a 48 V electrical assistance system. The belt-driven starter generator (BSG or Belt driven Starter Generator) provides a brief 14 cv boost.

As for the turbo itself - based on technology used in Formula 1 - it incorporates an electric motor positioned between the turbine wheel and the compressor wheel, allowing it to spin at up to 175 000 rpm. For reference, in the SL 43 the “limit” was 170 000 rpm.

Transmission duties are handled by the nine-speed AMG SPEEDSHIFT automatic gearbox, which sends torque to all four wheels.

All of this enables the German model to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 4,6s and 4,7s, for the saloon and estate respectively, and to reach a limited top speed of 250 km/h - rising to 265 km/h with the optional “AMG Driver’s Package”.

“Glued to the road”

Beyond its all-wheel-drive system, the Mercedes-AMG C 43 4MATIC features several other “ingredients” designed to ensure its handling matches its straight-line performance.

Alongside the AMG RIDE CONTROL adaptive suspension, the German model gains - for the first time - four-wheel steering, which can turn the rear axle by up to 2,5º.

For those who will miss the soundtrack of the previous V6, Mercedes-AMG has fitted the C 43 4MATIC with an adaptive exhaust system that changes its character depending on engine speed and the selected driving mode.

If that still is not enough, there is also the optional AMG Real Performance Sound, which uses the audio system to project the engine sound into the cabin.

Looks to match

From the outside, the new Mercedes-AMG C 43 4MATIC comes with plenty of distinguishing details. Up front, the “Panamericana” grille and the new bumper stand out.

At the rear there is a diffuser and four exhaust outlets. As standard it rides on 18” wheels, though 19” or 20” wheels are available as options.

Inside, it gets AMG-specific seats, red stitching, a flat-bottom steering wheel with controls for the driving modes, and a range of AMG-specific modes within the MBUX infotainment system.

When does it arrive?

Key rivals for the new Mercedes-AMG C 43 4MATIC include its fellow Germans, the BMW M340i xDrive and the Audi S4. The Bavarian model uses a 3.0 l straight-six producing 374 cv and 500 Nm, without any kind of electrification.

The Audi S4 also features six cylinders, but arranged in a V, and (in Europe) the engine is fuelled by… diesel. In total, this 3.0 V6 delivers 341 cv and 700 Nm of torque.

For now, we still do not know how much the new Mercedes-AMG C 43 4MATIC will cost, nor when it will reach the UK market.