The electrified Mercedes-AMG C43 has gone on sale in South Africa. Here’s pricing and performance info on this locally-built vehicle.

The Mercedes-AMG C43 is the first performance vehicle based on the latest C-Class platform. It won’t be the last either, with the 590 kW flagship C63 due to arrive later in 2023. As a reminder, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class is locally built at the brand’s plant in East London.

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So, what’s new? The new Mercedes-AMG C43 has lost two cylinders and gained some electrification. It may have lost of some that character from a lovely 6-cylinder petrol engine, but the performance has increased and so has the efficiency. Essentially, the C43 engine is the 2.0-litre turbocharged M139 from the A45 S hatchback paired to an electric exhaust gas turbocharger.

The numbers are impressive, with 300 kW and 500 Nm driving all four wheels, via a 9-speed automatic transmission. In terms of acceleration, Mercedes-AMG reckons its newcomer will hit 100 kph in 4.6 seconds. It’ll run to a top speed of 250 kph, but you can of course tick the AMG Drivers Package, which will move the limiter to 265 kph.

The trick all-wheel drive system is able to shuffle the 300 kW and 500 Nm between the front and rear axles with a split of 31 to 69 percent, meaning some rear-wheel drive dynamics are possible.

The vehicle comes with a 48-volt onboard electrical system that’s able to briefly supply 10 kW through the belt-driven start generator, as well as recover energy and The main benefit of going the electrified route is reduced emissions and consumption, with the economy claim of just 9.1-8.7 l/100 km based on WLTP.

The new C43 comes with adaptive dampers, rear-wheel steering, variable steering geometry, sports braking system, AMG exhaust and driving modes as standard. It rides on 18-inch wheels, with customers able to choose from 19-inch or 20-inch as optional extras.

Inside, there are AMG seats in Artico man-made leather, AMG performance steering wheel in nappa leather as well as the MBUX infotainment system with AMG specific functions, modes and displays.

How much does the Mercedes-AMG C43 cost in South Africa?

Mercedes-AMG C43 – R1 608 810

The all-new Mercedes-AMG C 43 4MATIC is sold with a PremiumDrive 5-year/100,000 km maintenance plan.

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