The 2017 Mercedes-AMG C43 Coupe is the sweet yet powerful middle child in the C-Class lineup. What Mercedes did with this coupe is that it wanted customers to understand what AMG is all about. So, by badging the car differently, they want to make it stand out and are offering a cheaper price point so consumers can get all the components but just not the full-blown handmade engine.
The C43 is brand new and has been redesigned for 2017 and takes inspiration from the S-class, resulting in an extremely good-looking car with a more distinctive identity. Although comparing the C43 with the glorious C63 S would be an overkill, it does, however, deliver a step up from the standard, demure driving experience from a standard C-class.
This C-class coupe has kept the standard slimmer body with matching diamond mesh grille, special cladding, and a rear lip spoiler. Other accessories include exterior carbon fiber trim and a performance exhaust.
The 2017 Mercedes-AMG C43 Coupe comes with a Night Package so all the black accents are on the wheels, the side mirrors, and of course on the lower wing. But what is immediately noticeable are its massive tires, 18-inch 5-spoke AMG wheels: front tire size of 225/45 and 245/40 at the rear.
Powering the 2017 Mercedes-AMG C43 Coupe is a 3.0-liter, twin-turbocharged V6 engine that produces 362 hp at 6,000 rpm and 384 lb-ft of torque at 2000 rpm. Power is sent to all four wheels via a fitted 4MATIC AWD system.
So if you are a bit worried about the weather, no worries here thanks to the AWD system. As far as handling goes, you get the AMG sports suspension with AMG Ride Control selectable three-stage adaptive variable damping, handling, and exhaust, according to Car and Driver. The only thing missing is the hand-made engine.
Inside, the 2017 Mercedes-AMG C43 Coupe mimics the inside of a C63. The metal inlays add an expensive touch. Left to right from the driver's door are seat control, heated seats, and Burmaster upgraded stereo systems that can give you perfect sound inside the car with a digital processor at the equalizer at 000.
It is equipped with a 13 ½ mm diameter flat-bottom steering wheel, which is kind of a racing steering for those quick turns and you won't hit your knees with that flat-bottom steering wheel. Hands-free controls for your middle information display and Bluetooth volume and mute feature on the right-hand side of the steering wheel.
It comes with full voice command, or use the rolling switch at the center of the console, which goes up, down, left, right and down to select. Or you can use the touchpad, much similar to a touchpad on a laptop. Mounted on the center is a LED 8.4-inch screen, part of the multimedia. And in the center command unit are the racing features like the suspension switch and push-button for the manual paddle shift.
A panoramic sunroof is like having a convertible. It very easily opens and closes with one touch, silently. It comes with a backup camera and blind-spot assist. On the boot is 400 liters of storage, which sounds pretty good for a sporty coupe, compared with the 355 liters of the C63. Despite a narrow opening, the space inside is pretty good and it does go back quite a long way. It has a few functional touches such a hook for your groceries, net on the side, and some underfloor storage.
Digital Trends reports that with a starting price of $55,500 before destination and delivery, the 2017 Mercedes-AMG C43 Coupe creates the gap in cost between the base price of C300 $43,575 and the more powerful and glorious C63 at $67,000.
Overall, 2017 Mercedes-AMG C43 Coupe feels richer in its own merit. Basically, it is a fast, well-rounded Mercedes. But if you want a more powerful one, the C63 is for you.
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