We were introduced to AMG’s new and supposedly frugal series of sports machines with the C43 AMG at the Geneva Motor Show. Now the company is introducing a new, slightly bigger member in form of 2017 Mercedes-AMG E43. It seems like a decent bit of kit, this car, even though the only reason to buy it is because you can’t afford the E63.
The AMG 43 series are powered by the firm’s new 3.0 liter bi-turbo V6 engine. In the Mercedes-AMG E43 the unit is tuned at 396 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque, and it’s hooked up to a 9G-TRONIC automatic transmission and rear-biased 4MATIC four-wheel drive. This combo gives the car performance on the par with the 63 models, with a 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) time of 4.5 seconds and top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph).
Besides the engine, the rest of Mercedes-AMG E43 has all the AMG-ness you’d expect from one of these cars. There is 19-inch high-gloss black wheels, two chrome-plated quad-flow exhaust tailpipes, and AMG bumpers with large intakes and integrated aero parts. Same goes for the interior where you get MB-Tex/DINAMICA or Nappa leather, black roof lining and red seat belts, red stitching, AMG instrument cluster and 12.3 inch main screen.
Other highlights of this diet E63 include AMG AIRMATIC Adaptive Sport Suspension, AIR BODY CONTROL multi-chamber air suspension, AMG DYNAMIC SELECT transmission modes “Eco,” “Comfort,” “Sport,” “Sport Plus” and “Individual,” speed-sensitive sports steering, and high-performance brakes.