Summary

• The most reasonably priced German sedan with greater than 400 horsepower is the Mercedes-AMG C43, shocking contemplating its decrease value amongst its opponents.
• The new Mercedes-AMG C43 mannequin contains a shift from a V-6 to a turbocharged inline-four engine, enhancing energy and effectivity.
• While the 2024 C43 has minor adjustments, the addition of the AMG Dynamic Plus bundle boosts efficiency and provides crimson accents for a sportier look.

If you’re in search of a nice mix of efficiency and luxurious, you then’re not going to get significantly better than a German sedan. The massive three, Mercedes, BMW, and Audi, have been creating high-end vehicles that may rip and roar for so long as they’ve been round. Is it attainable to search out an reasonably priced one with 400 horsepower, although?

Affordability is relative. The most reasonably priced German sedan with 400 horsepower is the Mercedes-AMG C43. This is just a little shocking contemplating Mercedes-Benz is normally the most costly of the three. The C43 has additionally been the supply of some controversy as a result of loss of a much-loved powertrain.

We unpack what it prices to purchase and personal this spectacular piece of German engineering, presenting what your trim selections are and simply what you get to your cash. We check out the brand new powertrain beneath the hood of the C43 and reply whether or not it is truly an enchancment during the last iteration.

In order to provide the most recent and correct info attainable, the information used to compile this text was sourced from numerous producer web sites and different authoritative sources, together with ScorchingCars, CarBuzz, and Fuel Economy.gov.

The Mercedes-AMG C43 Was Fully Redesigned Last Year

The Mercedes-AMG C43 strikes into the 2024 mannequin yr with only a few adjustments. However, that’s solely as a result of it was completely revamped final yr. It was redesigned together with the C-300, however as a substitute of being prim and correct, it appears as if it is able to be pushed at full tilt.

2024 C43 Pricing

(Source: Mercedes)

The 2024 Mercedes-AMG C43 phases out the coupe and cabriolet variations of the efficiency automobile, now solely providing it in fastback sedan kind. Its beginning MSRP is surprisingly reasonably priced for the gear that you just get, and the efficiency leap over the C300 sedan on which it is primarily based. The Pinnacle trim gives some elevated performance and a few quality-of-life subscriptions that, in our opinion, are definitely worth the slight improve in value.

Changes For 2023

The most distinguished change that occurred in 2023, after all, was the C43’s shift from a twin-turbocharged V-6 to a single turbocharged inline-four. This positively ruffled loads of feathers within the Mercedes-AMG fan base and folks have been outraged, even though the brand new powertrain is extra highly effective and extra environment friendly.

The C43 inherits all the benefits of the C300’s overhaul, together with a high-tech cabin fitted with a powerful infotainment system and a ton of different facilities. The distinction between the C300 and the C43 is that the latter replaces a lot of the shiny trim with racy carbon fiber and an AMG emblem on the backside of the steering spoke.

Changes For 2024

While the adjustments for 2024 are far much less dramatic than final yr, they’re nonetheless tremendous impactful. The smallest change that brings about some additional performance is a wi-fi telephone charging pad throughout the lineup. Quality of life adjustments like this aren’t huge, however they’re all the time welcome.

The largest change is the addition of the AMG Dynamic Plus bundle. This bundle provides dynamic engine mounts, a race-driving mode, and red-painted calipers. Not solely does this bundle provide you with just a little enhance to efficiency, however it additionally provides a pleasant crimson flare towards your wheels.

A Fiery Inline-Four Manages To Put Out An Impressive 402 Horsepower

The most controversial change that Mercedes-AMG has been choosing in latest occasions is ditching the massive displacement V-shaped engines in favor of turbocharged inline-fours. While this has positively stirred the pot, the elevated effectivity and energy that these engines are able to speaks for itself.

Performance

(Source: Mercedes-AMG)

The inline-four on the 2024 C43 could also be downsized from the three.0-liter V-6 of the previous, but it produces more power, more torque, and more fun. The turbocharged inline-four is assisted by a 48-volt hybrid system which helps to extend energy at low RPM, in addition to a turbocharger that was derived from the German automaker’s F1 division. The turbo makes use of an auxiliary motor to assist spool the compressor, decreasing lag.

For these hoping for a guide transmission as an choice, sadly, a nine-speed automated is your solely alternative. As is the all-wheel drive, which contains a rear-steering system and adaptive dampers.

Fuel Economy

(Source: Fuel Economy.gov)

The C43 is on par with its friends by way of gasoline effectivity. It performs significantly better in freeway driving than it does across the metropolis, which is fairly regular. If you worth gasoline effectivity however dwell in a metropolis, this might not be your first alternative, although.

While the inline-four has positively proved its chops by way of its efficiency, what’s shocking is that it isn’t significantly extra environment friendly by way of gasoline economic system than the outgoing V-6. In truth, the one place it does higher is within the metropolis testing the place the C43 solely achieved one additional mile per gallon.

The C43 Has The Same Stylish Interior As The C-Class But With A Sporty Twist

As we touched on earlier, the C43 is the sportier version of the C-Class sedan. This signifies that their interiors are fairly related. This is nice although, as the inside of the C-Class contains a ton of tech and luxury choices that make it an absolute pleasure to take a seat in.

Key Features

• Leather Upholstery
• AMG Carbon Fiber Trim
• Sport Steering Wheel
• 11.9-Inch Infotainment Screen
• 12.3-Inch Digital Gauge Display

The interior of the C43 is a brilliant blend between the stylish, luxurious cabin of the C-Class sedan and the sportiness that you’d count on from an AMG automobile. The flat backside sport steering wheel and the non-compulsory carbon fiber trim add a racy really feel to the spectacular sport sedan.

On high of the lengthy record of ordinary gear, there are additionally tons of non-compulsory extras that may take your C43 to the subsequent degree. Ventilated, heated entrance seats can maintain you heat on chilly winter mornings, as will the heated steering wheel. Four-zone local weather management and noise-canceling glass will isolate you from the noisy world and maintain everybody feeling comfy. A efficiency seat bundle provides you entry to AMG bucket seats with built-in head restraints.

Mercedes-AMG Has Some Fierce Competition At This Price Point

While the C43 is the most cost effective German sedan you will get with greater than 400 horsepower, Audi and BMW nonetheless have some glorious choices for just a little more cash. Audi gives the RS3 sedan, which sits extremely near the 402 horsepower produced by the C43. The BMW 3-Series is among the most legendary sedans ever made.

2024 BMW M340i

(Source: BMW)

If you’re in search of a 400-horsepower sedan, then BMW’s lineup is a bit awkward. The 3-Series is probably the most reasonably priced choice however misses the 400-horsepower mark and the M3 prices approach an excessive amount of to compete with the RS3 and the C43.

However, regardless of it being barely much less highly effective, the M340i is a brilliant choice for these in search of a robust German sedan. The M340i’s beginning MSRP is $57,600, that means it is the most cost effective on this vary of sedans. The six-cylinder beneath the hood completely rips and the inside is excellently refined, as we’d count on from BMW.

2024 Audi RS3

(Source: Audi)

The RS3 gives fairly comparable energy to the Mercedes-AMG C43. Instead of utilizing a four-cylinder or six-cylinder, Audi makes use of its signature inline five in the RS3 to only attain the 400-horsepower mark.

Audi is normally cheaper than the opposite two massive German producers, however the Audi RS3 is available in at $62,300, barely costlier than the C43. Despite having the identical quantity of horsepower and torque, the RS3 options a lot faster acceleration and is clearly the extra driver-centric automobile.