10 Things to Know About the 2017 Mercedes-AMG 43 Lineup

2017 Mercedes AMG E43 sedan front view grille ・ Photo by Mercedes-Benz

Yes, there are at least 10 things you need to know 2017 Mercedes-AMG lineup with the new 43 engine. That's right, all the following vehicles are fitted with the company's twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6. In most cases, the output is 362 hp and 384 lb.-ft. of torque—easily enough to make even the heaviest of this group an entertaining drive.

Some context: AMG was an independent tuning house, but is now owned by Mercedes-Benz. It used to have a “one man, one engine” approach where every powerplant was assembled by one technician. This new engine comes from a factory but built to AMG specifications. Other parts are also developed by AMG, such as suspensions, exhaust systems, and steering. The 43 V6 is the gateway to AMG ownership.

2017 Mercedes-AMG C43 Cabriolet

This is the open-top version of the still-new generation of C-Class. Like most of the vehicles mentioned here, the C43 Cabriolet uses an all-wheel-drive system (Mercedes calls it 4Matic). The drive split is 31 percent to the front wheels, 69 percent to the rears. This means a sporty feel in normal driving, but the setup can—within milliseconds—send power to whichever wheels have the most traction. The C43 Cabriolet is quick, poised, and luxurious, and this 4-seater is a pleasure to drive with the fabric roof up or down. It’s surprisingly free of buffeting when going al fresco, despite the lack of a wind deflector.

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2017 Mercedes-AMG C43 Coupe

If a 2-door premium compact car works from a practicality standpoint, then this is arguably the best combination of car and engine offered by the 43 range. The C43 Coupe is a little lighter than the convertible, which brings a benefit to the handling. The current C-Class platform is fresh and wonderfully refined, fluid yet precise. The car seems to surge through tight corners (or long, sweeping turns) as if built especially for them. The C43 Coupe sits a little lower than the C sedan, but the ride quality doesn’t suffer to any noticeable degree. There’s the oh-my-goodness 503-horsepower C63 S coupe, but the C43 slots sweetly between that and the regular 241-horsepower C300 coupe.

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2017 Mercedes-AMG C43 sedan

For decades, AMG-tuned Benzes have been revered and desired. They have often been more powerful than, say, BMW’s M equivalents. But BMW also expands its M approach into versions that aren’t quite so full-on. A similar thing is happening with AMG’s 43 engine. The C43 sedan occupies the space between the regular C and the impressively muscular C63, as with the coupe and cabriolet versions. Select the Sport Plus driving mode and the suspension stiffens, the steering becomes meatier, and the 9-speed dual-clutch transmission holds onto the lower gears for longer. The C43 sedan is a ton of fun. Or click down to Comfort, enjoy the serenity, and save the thrills for another time.

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2017 Mercedes-AMG GLC43

The Mercedes GLC 300 (the non-AMG version) is a perfectly nice premium compact crossover. This is also based on the current C-Class, so it starts with an excellent foundation. The thing is, “perfectly nice” doesn’t always cut it, despite that handy size, elevated driving position, and 56.5 cubic feet of cargo volume. Which is where the GLC43 comes in, with more power than, for example, the 354-horsepower Audi SQ5. Yet there’s still a range of driving settings from Eco to a personalized mode, with Comfort, Sport, and Sport Plus in between. With this engine, the GLC43 becomes more of an all-rounder and shows off extra talents that were lingering in the chassis but can now come into the light.

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2017 Mercedes-AMG GLC43 Coupe

All the positive descriptions that apply to the regular GLC still work for this “coupe” version. It’s not a coupe at all, though, but has four doors and a sloping roofline that accommodates a hatchback. Maximum cargo space contracts and rear headroom dips, although Mercedes-Benz hasn’t quoted by how much. And there’s a bit of a lip to lift things over into the trunk area. However, for someone who likes a higher driving position and is prepared to sacrifice some practicality on the altar of style, then this GLC43 Coupe design works a treat. The turbocharged energy from the GLC43’s engine is a welcome asset, helping to create a machine that’s arguably more successfully executed than the BMW X4.

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2017 Mercedes-AMG GLE43

This midsize crossover is based on the previous E-Class platform (the current E-Class sedan debuted for the 2017 model year) and used to be the M-Class until last year, when it received a facelift and a name change. It would not be unreasonable to assume that a “one powertrain fits all” approach might expose some shortcomings. But this engine, 9-speed automated manual transmission (think of it as an automatic worked on by AMG to provide the fastest and smoothest shifts), and all-wheel drive system work just as well here—the largest vehicle to use this 43 engine—as they do elsewhere.

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2017 Mercedes-AMG GLE43 Coupe

The same pros and cons regarding the GLC and GLC Coupe can be used for the GLE 43 and its sleeker GLE 43 Coupe sibling. Both GLE models have more torque going to the front wheels—the split is 40/60, unless conditions dictate otherwise. This variant has an even higher lip at the entrance to the trunk area. But if grocery bags are the main cargo, it shouldn’t be much of an issue. In common with its 43 stablemates, the GLE43 Coupe has a steering wheel wrapped in leather and Alcantara (faux suede), there are carbon-fiber trim pieces on the dash and doors, and the front seats offer a wide range of adjustability. These crossover “coupes” also have a sportier suspension tuning.

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2017 Mercedes-AMG E43 sedan

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan is an incredible machine offering lots of technology, including advanced semi-autonomous features. Engine choices are book-ended by the turbo 4-cylinder in the E300 (241 horsepower) and the twin-turbo V8 of the AMG E63/E63S (563/608). That leaves plenty of space for the twin-turbo V6 of the E43 sedan to find a niche. The E43 has been tuned even further to develop 396 horsepower (it's 362 in other 43 models), but retains the original 384 lb.-ft. of torque. This car feels absolutely unflappable, staying smooth and stable even when tackling damp corners, or drumming down the freeway in torrential rain. The E43 comes with an air suspension as standard, so it can be super comfortable or super controlled.

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2017 Mercedes-AMG SLC43

The SLC (formerly the SLK) has been revamped and re-named for 2017, but it’s still a charming 2-seater with a folding hard top. The SLC43 is the only car that pairs this V6 engine with rear-wheel drive. To be honest, the SLC/SLK has been around for a while. Ride quality isn’t up to the C-Class’s sophistication. Yet this much power in a small and undoubtedly nimble car with rear-wheel drive is an ideal recipe for old-fashioned fun. Firing off rapid gear changes with the steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters is part of the excitement. Incidentally, the steering is a joy. Previous SLK models felt a bit heavy and numb, but the 2017 SLC43 is tactile and always ready to respond.

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