Double Down

There’s A New C43 Around, And It’s Bloody Good 

- Raunak Ajinkya

A new C43? Didn’t you guys just drive one in the last issue?’ Why, yes, we did. We appreciate the keenness with which you keep up to date. For those that actually did read up on our last review of the C43 AMG, that introduction will do. For those that didn’t, here’s a refresher: it’s one of the most capable machines in AMG’s lineup, and far from being a middleweight, soul-deficient meanderer, the C43 AMG comes across as being suitably adept at most of whatever you throw its way. To keep it short, I love the thing. It’s fast, surprisingly efficient, an absolute monster up a set of hills, and tremendously potent on highways and in cities alike. Fantastic GT car, even.

And so, quite reasonably, you’d ask why there’s a new one in store. Well, that would be a slightly daft question to ask, wouldn’t it? Refresh cycles keep these lovely machines in the limelight, and are only deemed a requirement after you’ve driven the refreshed version and wonder how you made do with the old one in the first place. The more pertinent question to ask, then, would be if it’s a worthy jump over its predecessor. Again, to keep it short, yes. Absolutely.

Mercedes-AMG has gone to town on the C43. It may not show, but more than 50 per cent of the car is new; that’s in excess of 6500 components changed, as the AMG guys were at pains to explain to us. Over the course of two days in Luxembourg, us journos got to sample a variety of engine options and body styles with the new C, but I’ll stick to the two I had the most time with: the C43 AMG and the C200 petrol. Well, mostly the former. I drove the C43 in convertible and coupe guise, although only the sedan version looks set to come to India. Even then, I believe I’ve got some idea of just what sort of progress AMG has made with the car.