By Sala Masindane

The Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG initially manufactured to fill the gap between the C300 and the range-topping C63 AMG back in 2016. This also assisted in getting those bums on seats for non-conventional petrol-heads that required the perfect balance between luxury and performance. Fast forward to its third generation, the locally built sedan is no longer a gap filler but a necessary evil.

What is new?

The sporty new C43 4Matic stands out from the rest of the range thanks to an AMG radiator grille, AMG light alloy wheels and quad tailpipes embedded on the rear diffuser. This makes the new sedan quite striking on the eye.

Interior

It’s not all performance but also luxury when you step inside. You are met by an AMG steering wheel, AMG leather seats, red contrast stitching, a digital instrument cluster as well as a large touch display with the new center touchscreen running on the brand’s MBUX operating system with AMG-specific menus and is Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible. It’s certainly a lavish and sporty interior that sets itself apart from the rest of the C-Class range. The rear space and luggage capacity are sufficient for five adults on long distance trips.

Performance and drive

The new Mercedes-AMG C43 4Matic is powered by a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo-petrol engine with EQ Boost technology. It produces 300kW/500Nm and is paired to AMG’s Speedshift MCT 9G transmission. Mercedes-AMG claims that the saloon accelerates from a standstill to 100 km/h in just 4.6 seconds.

The engine delivers power on demand, and provides an engaging and thrilling driving experience while also executing daily driving comfortably. Unfortunately, the soundtrack will not wake your neighbors during a cold start in the morning, but overall, it is an offering that cannot be overlooked. Pricing for the Mercedes Benz C43 4Matic AMG starts at R1,538,591.