Fun Package

Permanent all-wheel drive lets you completely exploit the power.

- Pradeb Biswas

Mercedes-Benz India has expanded its portfolio of AMG cars with the launch of the C 43 4Matic sedan. Unveiled ahead of the 2017 Geneva Motor Show, it sits below the C 63 AMG. The C 43 4Matic is powered by a 3.0-litre V6 twin-turbo petrol that churns out 367PS of power and 520Nm of torque. But is it as entertaining to drive as the C 63 S? To find out, we went pedal to the metal at its launch at the Buddh International Circuit.

The engine on the AMG C 43 4Matic comes mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission and gets 4Matic all-wheel drive as standard. So it is not at all as tailhappy as the rear-wheel drive C 63 S. However, there is plenty of drama that one expects from an AMG. The rev-happy 3.0-litre twin-turbo engine has a strong mid-range and responds eagerly to throttle inputs. It pulls harder as you get near to the 6,000rpm limit. Mercedes-Benz claims that the AMG C 43 4Matic can sprint to 100kmph in 4.7 seconds and attain an electronically limited top speed of 250kmph.

Sadly, Mercedes-Benz let us loose at the BIC in the AMG C 43 4Matic for just three laps! In that limited span of time, it wasn’t possible to gauge the complete capabilities of the car. But we did get acquainted with its fun character. There are five drive modes to choose from – Comfort, Sport, Sport+, Eco and Individual. We stuck to the Sport+ mode which selects the stiffest suspension settings and ensures aggressive, lightning-quick gear changes.