The Crazy C 63 Gets A Younger Sibling And It’s Here To Make Us Lesser Mortals Look Good.
Why has Mercedes bothered with another hot variant of the C-class when we already have the C 63? With the launch of the C 43, will Mercedes discontinue the C 63 in the wake of downsizing and saving the world? What’s the point of transforming a family car into a crazy sedan and then dialling it down a couple of notches? Does the C 43 even justify the full-blown AMG badge on its boot?
These are the sort of questions that popped up when we first heard of a baby C-class AMG taking shape. So, to find some answers, we headed to the Buddh International Circuit, Noida – a setting where the C 43 could be tested properly – to decide for ourselves if it deserves a place in the AMG family. And after throwing around the 43 for over 10 hot laps, it’s quite evident why Mercedes bothered with this “semi hot” variant of the C-class.
So far, Merc only sold the S version of the C 63 in India, powered by a 504bhp, 700Nm 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 that sends all that power strictly to the rear wheels via a seven-speed gearbox. Sure, it’s a recipe for great fun, but for amateur drivers – TopGear’s unscientific study pegs that number at roughly 87 percent of Indians – things could easily get embarrassing when pushed hard.
That’s where the C 43 steps in. Mercedes has managed to make a crazy fast car into an idiot-proof tool and we aren’t complaining. Powered by a smaller 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol, the C 43 only has 362 horses and 520 Newtons to play with – that’s almost a 30 per cent drop in power compared to the 63 S. But for someone who’s stepping up from a family sedan, those figures should suffice.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
THE PERFECT RECIPE FOR KARI FT. EUROGRIP
What happens when you do track days in the name of pushing the limits of a tyre
ROOKIE BLUES
Acosta Urged for Patience as KTM Chases Ducati
THE VALUE OF TIME
Christoph Grainger-Herr, CEO of IWC Schaffhausen
DJI Osmo Action 4
Being an automotive journalist, our job entails us to ride motorcycles of all kinds and not to forget, the life behind driving some exotic set of wheels as well.
WAR WORDS WORLDS
Indians might not have played a deciding role in the previous world wars but now, our participation is much more evident
XTREME MACHINE
Maserati's racing history is a patchwork of epic highs and long absences, so can the MCXtrema - a track only version of its latest supercar-bring back the glory days?
WET AND WILD
No doors, no roof, no boot, but at least there's a windscreen... Paul Horrell pulls on his waterproof trousers and takes the Nomad 2 for a spin
STREAM W0RKS
This is an MG. Yes, really. Turns out it's got form in streamliners too...just ask Stirling Moss
A map and a compass.
Dacia got a foothold in the UK with cheapness, now it wants toughness on its CV. Can the new Duster handle Morocco's heat and locate a Dakar team in the desert - no GPS allowed?
A RECKLESS DEVELOPMENT?
Farewell, V10, this is the new Lamborghini Temerario, a 907bhp V8 hybrid. A worthy Huracán successor, or a misstep from the Italian firm?