2018 Mercedes-Benz AMG C 43

The all-new 2018 Mercedes-Benz AMG C 43 Sedan is here to wow luxury small car enthusiasts. This year's AMG C 43 competes with small luxury coupes in the $50k segment. 

Only a single trim for the AMG sedan is available. Nonetheless, there are several packages available for customizing the ride as per one’s requirements. Bid for the 2018 Mercedes-Benz AMG C 43Sedan starts from $53,400. In addition to Hands-Free Access and Keyless-Go, the small luxury car packs a whole new bunch of perks and feats.

Trim	Mercedes-Benz AMG C43 Sedan
MSRP	$53,400
Key   Features	Dual-zone automatic climate control 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats KEYLESS-GO Electronic trunk closer HANDS-FREE ACCESS High-resolution in-dash screens Central controller Bluetooth audio streaming Dual USB audio ports HD Radio receiver SiriusXM Radio with 6-month All Access trial FrontBass® system 18-inch AMG 5-spoke w/black accents ECO Start/Stop system AMG Performance 4MATIC all-wheel drive AMG Sport Exhaust System

Some of the notable features of the small luxury coupe include dual-zone automatic climate control and 18-inch AMG 5-spoke w/black accents. Also, the ride features AMG Performance 4MATIC all-wheel drive for superb handling and control. The ride also comes with the AMG Sport Exhaust System to make the ride even better.

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No further trims of the AMG C 43 Sedan are available.

With Mercedes’ appealing selection of 2018 C-Class models, you can choose from options that include a pleasant entry-level edition, a fuel-efficient hybrid, or a more aggressive AMG-tuned car. Horsepower and handling vary from one trim to the next, but overall, the C-Class leans on the comfort side of the spectrum. -cars.usnews

Engine and Transmission

The C 43 features a Twin Turbo Premium Unleaded V-6 3.0L engine. It is capable of generating 362 hp of power along with 384 lb.-ft. of torque. The car allows for an AMG-enhanced 9G-TRONIC 9-speed automatic transmission mode. The power generated by the ride is second only to Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400’s 400 hp. However, the torque output is highest in the fraternity.

Models	Mercedes-Benz AMG C 43	Audi S4 Premium	BMW 340i xDrive	Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400
MSRP	$53,400	$51,400	$50,950	$53,000
Engine	Twin Turbo Premium Unleaded V-6 3.0 L	Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded V-6 3.0 L	Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-6 3.0 L	Twin Turbo Premium Unleaded V-6 3.0 L
Transmission	AMG-enhanced 9G-TRONIC 9-speed automatic	Eight-speed Tiptronic Automatic	8-speed Sport Automatic transmission with automatic Sport and Manual shift modes	Electronically controlled 7-speed automatic with adaptive shift control
Horsepower	362hp @ 5,500 rpm	354hp @ 5,400 rpm	320hp @ 5,500 rpm	400hp @ 6,400 rpm
Torque	384 lb.-ft. @ 2,000 rpm	369 lb.-ft. @ 1,370 rpm	332 lb.-ft. @ 1,380 rpm	350 lb.-ft. @ 1,600

Audi S4 Premium and BMW 340i xDrive feature an 8-speed transmission mode. While only automatic transmission is available in the former, the latter comes with provision for both automatic and manual transmission modes. Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400 features an electronically controlled 7-speed automatic with adaptive shift control transmission.

Acceleration

It has a pretty average acceleration, taking about 4.6 seconds to upsurge to 60 MPH from a standstill. BMW’s 340i xDrive also takes the same amount of time for accomplishing the feat. While Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400 takes 4.5 seconds to do the same, Audi S4 Premium takes 4.4 seconds. Nonetheless, the latest iteration of the Mercedes-Benz AMG C 43has the best quarter-mile time of 12.7 seconds.

Models	Mercedes-Benz AMG C 43	Audi S4 Premium	BMW 340i xDrive	Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400
0-60 MPH	4.6 sec	4.4 sec	4.6 sec	4.5 sec
Quarter mile	12.7 sec	13.2 sec	13.6 sec	12.8 sec
Engine	3.0L	3.0L	3.0L	3.0L
Emission (Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)	7.7	7.4	7.1	8.0

Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400 takes a slightly more, 0.1 seconds, to cover a quarter-mile. BMW 340i xDrive takes the most time for traversing a quarter-mile, 13.6 seconds. The all-new Mercedes-Benz AMG C 43has a CO2 emission value of 7.7. 340i xDrive, 7.1, has the lowest CO2 emission value while Q50 Red Sport 400 has the highest, 8.0.

Ride and Handling

The entire C-Class from Mercedes-Benz is about comfort and safety. Likewise, the C 43 combines easy steering with powerful braking. Roaming crowded city streets are just as comfortable as cruising on the highways. The available air suspension system makes everything comfortable as a sweet summer breeze for the passengers as well as the driver.

Braking

The front brake of the sedan is 14.2 inches, biggest among the competition. Contrarily, the rear brake is only 12.6 inches, smallest in the fraternity. Curb weight for the small luxury ride is 3759 lbs. Not impressive, but better than what other cars in the competition has to offer. Infinity Q50 Red Sport 400 is the bulkiest coupe in the league with a total curb weight of 4023 lbs.

Model	Mercedes-Benz AMG C 43	Audi S4 Premium	BMW 340i xDrive	Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400
Brake Front (in.)	14.2	13.8	13.4	14
Brake Rear (in.)	12.6	13.1	13	13.8
Curb Weight (lbs.)	3759	3858	3858	4023
60-0 MPH (ft.)	105	117	116	102

The 43 sedan takes 105 feet to come to halt, from 60 MPH, in emergency situations. This is second only to Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400’s 102 feet, which is most remarkable. BMW 340i xDrive and Audi S4 Premium take much more distance to halt in drastic situations, 116 feet, and 117 feet, respectively.

The sedan offers a great, combined fuel economy. While on the city roads the small luxury car delivers 20 mpg, it offers 27 mpg in highway conditions. The combined fuel economy offered by the sedan is 23 mpg. This is slightly better than that offered by the Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400, 22 mpg.

Model	Mercedes-Benz AMG C 43	Audi S4 Premium	BMW 340i xDrive	Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400
MPG (city)	20	21	21	19
MPG (highway)	27	30	31	26
MPG (combined)	23	24	25	22

In terms of combined fuel economy, Audi S4 Premium and BMW 340i xDrive are better. These small-size luxury cars offer 24 mpg and 25 mpg of combined fuel economy, respectively.

The C-Class’ interior impresses with a graceful center stack and simple layout afforded by minimal buttons, but it also complicates the interface some. Most other interior aspects are typical for a convertible coupe, but we found the driving position and convertible top to be especially well done. -edmunds

Seating and Comfort

Each C-Class ride from Mercedes-Benz comes with Mercedes’ synthetic leather upholstery, dubbed MB-Tex. This is true for the latest entry also. Moreover, a power-adjustable driver’s seat and 40/20/40-split-folding rear seats are also standard. Both these feats bring the first-rate comfort to the small luxury car. The sedan can accommodate up to 5 persons.

Model	Mercedes-Benz AMG C 43 4Matic	Audi S4 Premium	BMW 340i xDrive	Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400
Passenger capacity	5	5	5	5
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	40/55.3/41.7	38.9/55.9/41.3	40.3/55.1/42	39.5/56.7/44.5
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	38.2/55/35.2	37.4/54.5/35.7	37.7/55.1/35.1	36.8/56.1/35.1

Front headroom, shoulder-room and legroom available in the small luxury car are 40, 55.3 and 41.7 inches, respectively. BMW 340i xDrive offers front legroom of 42 inches. Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400 offers the most, front legroom of 44.5 inches. The second legroom in the AMG is 35.2 inches. This is merely 0.1-inch more than that available in BMW 340i xDrive and Q50 Red Sport 400. Audi S4 Premium offers the most second legroom of 35.7 inches.

Infotainment System

Inside, it comes with a standard 8.4-inch infotainment screen which is easy to use and offers connectivity via Bluetooth, dual USB ports and HD Radio system. Navigation is made simpler and effectual with support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A built-in Wi-Fi hotspot is also available.

The C-Class’ elegant interior isn’t its only correlation to the S-Class. Like that flagship, the C-Class is curvy, bold and beautiful. Thanks to its smaller proportions, you could say it’s even more purposeful. -Kelley Blue Book

Dimension and Weight

Ground clearance offered by the C 43 is 4.5 inches. Unfortunately, this is the least among the competition. BMW 340i xDrive tops the chart with 5.7 inches of ground clearance. While Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400 has 4.8 inches, Audi S4 Premium flaunts to have 5 inches of ground clearance.

Model	Mercedes-Benz AMG C 43	Audi S4 Premium	BMW 340i xDrive	Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400
Curb weight (lbs.)	3759	3858	3858	4023
Length(in)	185	186.8	182.5	189.6
Width(in)	71.3	72.5	71.3	71.8
Height(in)	56.3	55.3	56.5	57.2
Ground clearance (in)	4.5	5.0	5.7	4.8
Wheelbase (in)	111.8	111.2	110.6	112.2
Track width (in) F/R	63/61	61.6/60.9	60.5/62.1	60.4/61.4

Though the curb weight of 3759 flaunted by the sedan isn’t something great, it is nonetheless better than that offered by the others. Length, width and height for the Mercedes are 185-inch, 71.3-inch and 56.3-inch, respectively. Size-wise the ride is mediocre. Wheelbase for the ride is 111.8 inches. While BMW 340i xDrive has the least wheelbase of 110.6-inch, Infinity Q50 Red Sport 400 has the highest i.e. 112.2-inch.

The 43 sedan comes with strong security and reliability features. Collision prevention assist plus, blind spot assist, pre-safe and 9 airbags are some of them. Moreover, the small luxury car flaunts an adaptive braking technology.

All in all, the luxury car doesn’t offer high-end safety and reliability features. However, in contrast with performance, the available security features are some of the best available.

Safety Features

• COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS
• ATTENTION ASSIST
• Crosswind Assist
• LED Daytime Running Lamps
• Rearview camera
• Blind Spot Assist
• PRE-SAFE
• 9 air bags
• Adaptive braking technology

Audi S4 Premium VS C 43 Sedan

Audi’s S4 Premium packs an Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded V-6 3.0 L/183 engine. It is capable of delivering 354 hp of power and 369 lb.-ft of torque. Pricing options for the ride start from $51,400. The ride offers best 0-60 MPH acceleration time, 4.4 seconds, in the competition. It takes about 13.2 seconds to cover a quarter-mile.

However, it takes the most distance of 117 feet for coming to a halt from 60 MPH to 0 MPH. Moreover, it is bulkier with a curb weight of 3858 lbs. Nonetheless, it offers a decent combined fuel economy of 24 mpg. Also, it has an average ground clearance of 5.0 inches and offers 13 cubic foot of trunk volume.

BMW 340i xDrive VS C 43 Sedan

The bid for BMW 340i xDrive starts from $50,950. The car comes with an Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-6 3.0L/183 engine. It delivers 320 hp of power and 332 lb.-ft. of torque, both of which are lowest among the competition. Moreover, it takes the most time of 13.6 seconds to cover a quarter-mile in the league. Nonetheless, it has the lowest CO2 emission value of 7.1.

BMW 340i xDrive is about 99 lbs. heavier than that of the AMG C 43 4Matic. Also, it takes 116 feet to come to a halt from 60 MPH in emergency scenarios. However, it offers the best, combined fuel economy of 25 mpg and most ground clearance of 5.7 inches in the competition.

Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400 VS C 43 Sedan

Priced at $53,000, the Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400 comes with a Twin Turbo Premium Unleaded V-6 3.0L/183. It delivers 400 hp of power and 350 lb.-ft. of torque. The power is maximum among the competition. It has a slightly better 0-60 MPH acceleration time, 4.5 seconds than that of the AMG C 43 4Matic Sedan. However, it has the worst CO2 emission value of 8.0.

The Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400 takes 12.8 seconds for covering a distance of quarter-mile. This is 0.1 seconds more than that of the AMG C 43 4Matic Sedan. However, it is the bulkiest car in the league with a total curb weight of 4023 lbs. Also, it offers the lowest combined fuel economy in the competition of 22 mpg.

The 2018 AMG C 43 is for those willing to sacrifice back-seat or trunk volume for confident handling and ease of steering. Nonetheless, there are several good options available out there. For instance, BMW offers a powerful performance with refined interiors. Moreover, the Audi A4 is chic on the inside, packed with several futuristic feats.

Nonetheless, Mercedes-Benz AMG C 43is an outstanding small luxury car. On the features and interiors front, it is unmatchable. Putting it together with its solid safety and security ratings makes it a profitable and suitable deal to go for.