Mercedes-Benz India today announced that the AMG C 43 will be launched on December 14, 2016. The performance sedan will be the carmaker’s 13th launch this year, up from its original plan to bring 12 in 2016.
The AMG C 43 will slot in as an entry-level AMG C-Class within the carmaker’s portfolio in India, with its bigger brother C63 topping the range. This more accessible performance sedan gets a twin-turbo V6 instead of the thumping V8. Also, while retaining all the AMG drama, it loses aggressive front arches that make the C 63 look intimidating.
4MATIC all-wheel drive comes as standard, biased to send 69 percent of torque to the rear wheels and 33 percent to the front axle for improved traction while accelerating. The 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6, shared with the Mercedes-AMG SLC 43, puts out 370hp with a torque rating of 570 Nm. The engine is mated to the carmaker’s conventional nine-speed automatic gearbox as opposed to 7-speed MCT transmission in the C 63.
Other features could include AMG-developed front and rear axles, sports exhaust system, chrome-plated twin tailpipes, sports braking system, with larger brake discs and perforated front discs. Inside, the sedan could come with 13.97-cm multifunction display, three-spoke sports steering wheel, sports seats and AMG upholstery design.
The AMG C 43 will expand the company’s AMG range in India, joining the AMG GLE 43 Coupe and the AMG SLC 43 launched earlier this year. The ‘AMG 43’ range is aimed at making the performance arm of Mercedes more accessible to car buyers in the country.