2023 Mercedes-AMG C43 4MATIC in Hyacinth Red Metallic

Mercedes-Benz introduced an all-new C-Class earlier this year with the arrival of the C300 4MATIC sedan. The compact luxury four-door, fitted with a 255-hp turbocharged four-cylinder, quickly earned industry acclaim for design, engineering, and luxury – it’s the new segment benchmark.

I recently flew to France for an early drive of the automaker’s follow-up act from its performance Mercedes-AMG division: The all-new C43 sedan. Previous C43 models were fitted with a twin-turbocharged V6. Yet, this all-new iteration debuts with a state-of-the-art 402-hp four-cylinder engineered to deliver a more dynamic drive and better efficiency. Combined with its all-new chassis and premium interior, the new C43 promises to set another high-water mark in the segment.

It’s difficult to fault the appearance of the standard C300 sedan, which is more attractive and sportier-looking than its predecessor. Nevertheless, Mercedes-AMG made significant changes to the exterior of the C-Class to visually (and aerodynamically) configure it for its performance mission. The signature vertical-slat AMG grille is notable, complemented by more aggressive front and rear bumpers, a subtle rear decklid spoiler, pronounced side sills, unique wheels, and quad round tailpipes.

The C43’s premium interior is a fine blend of luxury, sport, and technology, but the AMG touch upgrades it significantly. The AMG sports seats are lightweight, supportive, and supremely comfortable. Other enhancements include a flat-bottom sport steering wheel (covered in perforated Nappa leather), AMG floor pedals, and AMG floor mats. The C43 even offers additional screens and settings on the vehicle’s infotainment specifically to enhance (and record) driving performance. The premium materials and distinctive contrasting colors make the passenger cabin one of the most alluring on the market today.

A curious look beneath the hood of the all-new C43 reveals one of the most technically advanced powerplants fitted to a late model vehicle – a gasoline-fed four-cylinder engine equipped with an innovative electric turbocharger and a mild hybrid system.

The combustion component is a gasoline-fed 2.0-liter inline-4 (mounted longitudinally) fitted with an electric exhaust-gas turbocharger. The unique turbocharger incorporates a 48-volt electric motor that spins the unit to 100,000 rpm in less than a second – without needing to wait for exhaust gasses – nearly eliminating dreaded turbo lag. The mild-hybrid component is an integrated starter-generator, also running off the secondary 48-volt electrical system that provides an additional 13 hp under certain driving conditions.

2023 Mercedes-AMG C43 4MATIC 2.0-liter 4-cylinder

According to Mercedes-AMG, the powerplant is rated at 402 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque (the previous-generation model made 385 hp). That’s a notable figure, as the output exceeds 200 hp/liter, making the new 2.0-liter the world’s most powerful 4-cylinder engine in a standard production vehicle.

Mated to the engine is an AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 9G (a 9-speed multi-clutch automatic) sending power through an AMG Performance 4MATIC permanent all-wheel drive (AWD) system. Most modern AWD systems continuously alter the torque split front to rear (typically maintaining a front bias during everyday driving). In contrast, Mercedes-AMG has set the C 43’s torque split at a fixed 31 percent front and 69 percent rear. This gives driving enthusiasts a rear-biased feel and improves traction while accelerating.

The C43 is fitted with Mercedes’ AMG RIDE CONTROL suspension with its Adaptive Damping System. This works with five driver-selectable AMG DYNAMIC SELECT programs (Slippery, Comfort, Sport, Sport+, and Individual) that configure engine responsiveness, suspension firmness, transmission shift speed, steering weight, and electronic stability control (ESP) intervention. (The Individual driving mode even allows fine-tuning of ESP to allow drifting or complete defeat.) Enhancing turn-in, and improving stability, is standard rear-axle steering that allows up to 2.5° of steering angle in or out of phase depending on vehicle speed.

Mercedes-AMG has upgraded the brakes with more robust rotors and calipers, and the wheel/tire packages are more aggressive (standard wheels are 18-inch alloys, but 19- and 20-inch alloys are on the options list). On that note, my test vehicle was fitted with excellent Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires (265/30-20) at all four corners.

Nobody will complain about the C43’s ride. The suspension is comfortably sporty in nearly all driving modes (although Sport+ can be a bit harsh on irregular surfaces), and the cabin is quiet enough for easy conversation. The chassis is stout – so stiff that it feels carved from a single ingot of alloy – meaning squeaks and rattles are non-existent.

Mercedes-AMG claims the sport sedan will bolt from 0-60 mph in a mere 4.6 seconds, but it feels a bit quicker from the driver’s seat. Most noticeable is the near absence of turbo lag – the engine produces thrust immediately. Passing power is strong, too. The 3,900-pound sedan made effortless work of passing slower trucks and vehicles on France’s mountainous two-lane roads – mash the throttle, and the AMG SPEEDSHIFT transmission seamlessly drops a couple of gears, and the C43 zooms forward. The electric exhaust-gas turbocharger makes a lot of promises on paper. And approvingly, it delivers in the real world.

Dynamically, the C43 is comfortably stable at high speeds (I ran it well over 100 mph on the French autoroute), and it attacks twisty corners with confidence – the Michelin tires deliver tenacious levels of grip. Its performance is nearly perfectly matched with its power, meaning it falls short of being strong enough to challenge a dedicated sports car, but it will naturally run nose-to-nose with some of the best sports sedans.

2023 Mercedes-AMG C43 4MATIC Aerodynamic 20-inch wheels

Mercedes-AMG has not announced pricing for the new C43 as of press time. However, based on the pricing structure of the Mercedes-Benz C300 4MATIC (which has a base price of about $45,000), the new model should debut in the $60,000 price range when it arrives in showrooms later this year.

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG C43 is a sporty premium compact luxury sedan targeting a young and affluent audience. These buyers will be seeking a stylish, innovative, safe, technically advanced, and fun-to-drive sedan with prestige and cachet – a Mercedes-Benz hallmark. In terms of buying objectives, they will be seeking a solid blend of performance and luxury – a middle ground for driving enthusiasts who enjoy climbing behind the wheel and occasionally taking a long way home. Those seeking even more performance in a much more focused vehicle are best served to wait for the upcoming (yet-to-be-announced) range-topping C63 model.

2023 Mercedes-AMG C43 4MATIC at speed

The all-new 2023 Mercedes-AMG C43 is an excellent premium compact sports sedan that provides a new high-water mark in the segment (European competitors include the BMW M340i and Audi S4). The C43’s strength is that it builds on the already superb Mercedes-Benz C300 model, yet it offers extra power, more distinctive styling, added premium appointments, and stronger driving dynamics. As a result, it’s the ideal sports sedan for someone who doesn’t want to compromise and lose the luxury quotient when seeking additional performance.