It didn’t take them very long did it? The covers were only fresh off the new E-Class before it’s been given an AMG treatment. Sort of. This new breed of AMGs which fit in between standard Mercedes cars and ‘proper’ AMGs. Think BMW M Performance and Audi S cars and a replacement for the E500.
The E43 joins the likes of the C43 and SLC43 in this new lineup. Whereas AMGs have bespoke hand-made engines, the ’43’ car gets tuned version of existing Merc V6 engines. Under bonnet of the E43 lies a 3.0-litre bi-turbo V6 which is good for 401bhp/295kW and 520NM of torque.
All four wheels are driven, however this is an AMG after all so it’s got a 31:69 bias to the rear. Power is sent via a 9-speed auto. 0-100 km/h in 4.6 seconds and top speed is limited to 250 km/h.
Those performance figures mirror those of V8 AMGs from a decade ago. Or, to put into more modern perspectives, half a second off the outgoing E63 AMG S – yes the one with a great big bi-turbo V8. Not to shabby for a 6-cylinder.
The smaller engine means the E43 is cleaner than any other E-Class AMG that has gone before. Merc claims a combined fuel consumption rating of 8.3L/100km and 189g/km of CO2.
Other tweaks and changes include a sportier setup for the air suspension for “added agility”, 360mm front and rear brake discs, and of course quad-exhausts. It’ll be interesting to see how fruity those exhausts will sound though.
From the outside the E43 is quite the sleeper suggesting the next-gen E63 will have a more “look at me” design to stand out. There are subtle styling changes to differentiate it from standard E-Class car such as a large grille, a more aggressive front bumper, 19-inch alloys, a subtle rear diffuser, and of course those quad pipes.
Inside there’s the obligatory flat-bottom steering wheel and red-stitched leather to make it feel ‘sporty’ inside. The main TFT instrument display now features a race timer and a chequered-flag design. Because that’s what every executive sedan needs.
The E43 is due down under sometime next year. But what it also means is that the E63 isn’t too far off. There’s been hints that the next E63 will produce in excess of 600bhp/442kW from is V8 engine. That’ll be something to look forward to indeed.
