In an odd juxtaposition that has nothing to do with direct rivalry I emerge from my first drive within the new Mercedes-AMG C43 enthusiastic about the Porsche 718 Cayman and Boxster. Not by way of practicality or efficiency – fairly the best way each function examples of what occurs once you downsize with out solely desirous to.
The earlier technology C43 used a twin-turbocharged V6 engine which, though positively not as thrilling because the 4.0-litre V8 within the C63, had a charisma that went nicely past its means to ship efficiency numbers. The brand new C43 has a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine that’s boosted by a really intelligent electrical turbocharger and, as you’d count on from German engineers, manages to beat the outdated motor on a very powerful metrics: it has extra energy, delivers faster efficiency and – past the problem of evaluating what at the moment are totally different commonplace emissions checks – is cleaner and greener. In opposition to that it’s down, barely, on torque – and significantly extra on character. Which is just about precisely how I felt after I completed my first drive within the newly four-cylinder 718 Cayman again in 2016.
Not that Mercedes had a lot alternative right here. Vehicles are anticipated to get extra environment friendly, and that goes for quick in addition to sluggish ones. AMG has already dedicated itself to the creation of a massively complicated plug-in hybrid model of the C63 which is able to use a brawnier model of the identical 2.0-litre engine that powers the C43 along with a way more potent electrical system. Provided that it might look unusual if the lesser automobile was allowed to hold on with an even bigger engine, particularly given the possibility to mix it with a really sensible new turbocharger.
The C43’s base engine is identical M139 four-pot that powers the A45 and GLA45, albeit now turned north-south within the engine bay. The Garrett turbocharger contains a compact 48-Volt motor that works straight on the shaft connecting turbine and blower. This will rotate at speeds of as much as 175,000rpm, the identical peak because the turbo itself, and might add as much as 6kW {of electrical} help. It could additionally extract as much as 4KW from gasoline move as regen, though it solely ever does this for transient durations. Extra power is harvested by a 48-Volt belt-operated starter-generator, with this additionally in a position so as to add help at decrease speeds. Whole peak output is 406hp, barely lower than the 415hp the A45S manages with its non-electric twin-scroll turbocharger, however greater than the 385hp the final C43 made with its twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6.
Peak torque is identical as within the A45S, with the utmost 369lb ft now arriving at a peaky 5000rpm. (The outdated C43’s 384lb ft most got here at 2,500rpm.) Drive is delivered to the highway by means of a nine-speed auto that includes AMG’s moist clutch as an alternative of a torque converter, plus an all-wheel drive system with a hard and fast 31:69 front-to-rear torque distribution. Lively dampers are commonplace, as is a rear-axle steering system.
Visually the C43 appears nearer to being an AMG Line than a full-blooded member of the clan, definitely from the entrance the place horizontal radiator grille strakes are in regards to the restrict of the social gathering. Additional again there are sill extensions, a dinky little tailgate spoiler and – beneath the bumper – 4 exhaust tailpipes. Sure, we’ve lastly reached the stage of getting one for every cylinder. 19-inch alloys can be commonplace within the UK, with the Premium Plus model bringing the 20s that my European-spec check automobile sat on.
The inside feels equally near that of a high-spec non-AMG C-Class, though with extra carbon trim and a brand new AMG shortcut button on the base of the 12.0-inch portrait oriented central touchscreen, this mentioning the dynamic choices instantly. The steering wheel in all probability carries extra controls than some other, requiring the double stack spokes to search out sufficient area for all of them – however I’m certain homeowners will shortly get used to what goes the place. The 2 round controls on the base permit direct collection of the assorted AMG drive modes on the fitting, with the left permitting particular person settings to be adjusted for engine, chassis, exhaust and gearbox. Given the multitude of alternative I spent most of my time alternating between Consolation and Sport Plus to expertise the extremes.
The intelligent new turbo is successfully invisible, however invisibly efficient. There may be the very slight trace of enhanced induction noise low-down, enhance pressures constructing earlier than the engine will get into its stride. However past that the one proof of its existence is what’s genuinely a near-total lack of lag, each at decrease rpm but in addition when lifting after which reapplying the throttle quickly when the engine is working tougher. Engine response is linear and though, subjectively, the C43 doesn’t really feel 400hp quick on first acquaintance, that’s possible as a result of abundance of traction and lack of drama. The brand new motor isn’t a high-revving screamer, my check automobile really assembly its limiter barely under the marked 7,000rpm redline when compelled to go there by means of handbook gear choice.
It’s also missing a lot of the savage soundtrack that used to return as commonplace in AMG derivatives, particularly the 45 four-pot variations. The brand new engine definitely doesn’t sound dangerous when labored onerous – because the proprietor of a 190E 2.5-16 I’m nicely conscious no less than one in every of this C-Class’s ancestors was a efficiency 4. Nevertheless it by no means builds to a satisfying crescendo, and a good share of the pops and rumbles on a lifted throttle are being digitally enhanced by means of the audio system. At cruising speeds the C43’s engine is close to silent. It’s the world the place it feels most clearly totally different to its charismatic predecessors.
Trip stays agency at low speeds, even over typically easy French tarmac, though the optionally available 20-inch wheels had been possible accountable for among the edge. It settles down at a sooner tempo and chassis self-discipline is excessive over bumps, compressions and cambers. So is dynamic safety. Patches of heavy rain in the course of the drive occasion meant I obtained to expertise the C43 in each dry and moist circumstances, with the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres discovering enormous grip in each. Steering is nice: there may be some low-intensity suggestions and the helm weight up progressively as lock is added.
The lowered mass over the entrance axle is a particular benefit in slower corners, the C43 feeling agile and eager to show. However even when pushing tougher there was little sense of the rearward torque bias, the automobile gripping and entering into a approach that made it really feel nearer to an Audi S4 than its looser and extra thrilling AMG predecessors. The check automobile additionally had what felt to be a gearbox glitch, with a noticeable pause between requesting handbook downshifts and feeling them arrive; AMG engineers reckoned this might be improved earlier than completed vehicles get delivered to prospects.
Bringing us again to that preliminary Porsche 718 comparability. Just like the four-cylinder Cayster, the C43 looks like a automobile that has been engineered to match or beat its predecessor on each measurable metric, but which has positively misplaced some persona because of its downsized powerplant. Smaller and extra environment friendly is the best way of the longer term, and there’s little question that – in a number of years time – even the C43’s closely boosted combustion engine will look both daring or dated in a world of pure electrical options. However in the meanwhile it looks like an outlier, particularly as it’s set to hold a chunky worth premium over the six-cylinder BMW M340i xDrive. It’s definitely obtained me questioning what the plug-in C63 will add past elevated efficiency.
Specification | Mercedes-AMG C43 4Matic Premium Plus
Engine: 1991cc four-cylinder, turbocharged with 48V help, 48V gentle hybrid
Transmission: nine-speed auto, all-wheel drive
Energy (hp): 402bhp @ 6750rpm
Torque (lb ft): 369b-ft @ 5000rpm
0-62mph: 4.6-sec
Prime velocity: 155mph (restricted), 165mph (restricted) with optionally available Driver’s Bundle
Weight: 1765kg
MPG: 31.0
CO2: 206g/km
Value: £68,110 (C43 Premium £64,110)
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