East London ready to produce the next AMG C 43 and C 63
October 18, 2022
It hasn’t been that long since the Mercedes-AMG C 43 made its local debut, and already the German brand is slapping on a fresh pair of latex gloves in preparation for the second generation C 43. It will be built right here on South African turf, alongside the next-generation Mercedes-AMG C 63 powered by a 2.0-litre motor.
We were hoping you would ask. For starters, the firm is employing F1 technology in their next generation of performance sedans, and the C 43 is in line to receive some of this goodness. An engine downgrade has been confirmed, reducing the 43 from an inline six-cylinder to a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine.
With F1 and hybrid technology onboard, the sedan will produce 300 kW and an additional 10 kW on overboost. It's crazy what car manufacturers have been able to squeeze out of these small engines recently. For pulling power, the Mercedes-AMG C 43 will be able to produce a stonking 500 Nm from only 2.0-litres of displacement. In addition, it’s set to be “the world’s first series production motor to feature an electric exhaust gas turbocharger.” says Mercedes-Benz.
The electric exhaust gas turbocharger will be powered by the 48-volt EQ system onboard the C 43, enabling the turbo to spool at speeds of up to 175 000rpm. This is just one of the tricks Merc has employed to achieve the high output figures, and as a result, the next Mercedes-AMG C 43 4MATIC will run from a standstill to 100km/h in just 4.6 seconds. Should the pedal remain pinned, the 43 will proceed to top out at an electronically governed speed of 250km/h. An optional AMG Driver’s Package is available, and gives it a longer leash, allowing it to push on to 265km/h. Energy will be sent to all four wheels via an AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 9G gearbox.
Despite being an all-wheel-drive system, the Mercedes-AMG C 43 will still be rear-wheel biased, allowing for tail wagging under the right conditions. The split will be 31:69. You’ll also be glad to know that the ESP will have stages for how “off” you want it to be. Depending on your level of skill, you'll be able to dial in Sport mode which will allow for slides but still intervene should you get carried away. The “Off" setting, as the name suggests, leaves you to your own devices and assumes you know what you’re doing. Rear-axle steering will be a standard component in the upcoming Mercedes-AMG C 43, which not only improves the vehicle’s manoeuvrability but also enhances its ability to change direction at speed and with more accuracy.
With the way things are going, the new Mercedes-AMG C 43 should go on sale here as early as January 2023. That's in 3 months. Since it’s built locally at the Mercedes-Benz plant in East London, it should be delivered on time as promised. While we wait for that, we’re also anticipating the arrival next generation Mercedes-AMG C 63, another model set to come out of the local plant. The brand isn't sharing any details on its due date yet.
Words: Gugu Masuku.
