2023 Mercedes-AMG C43 revealed, Australian availability confirmed

Mercedes-AMG has revealed what is, for now at least, the performance flagship of the C-Class range. Details of the new 2023 C43 4Matic have finally been released by Affalterbach and it's fair to say that there's quite a bit to get into.

We'll start with the engine. The C43 gets much the same powerplant that's recently been fitted to the AMG SL43 and is, at its core, a 2.0-litre four-cylinder. So far, so unspectacular. What happened to the great sixes of yore? Well this one firmly sits those old sixes on their rear ends.

The M139L engine, where the L stands for longitudinal, is the world's first series production engine that features an electric exhaust gas turbocharger, designed to eliminate traditional turbo lag and developed using tech allied to that which the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 team has been utilising.

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A four centimetre thick 'pancake' electric motor is fitted directly to the turbocharger shaft between the turbine wheel and the compressor wheel. This allows the compressor wheel to be rapidly brought up to speed without having to rely on exhaust gases spooling the hot side's turbine wheel. Not only does this improve the response of the engine at low rpm, it also means that boost pressure can be maintained, even in throttle-off scenarios.

Driven by 48-volt architecture, the turbocharger can spin at up to 175,000rpm, which is nearly 3000 rotations per second, while the rigid closed-deck construction of the M139L powerplant allows for peak combustion pressures of 160 bar. Two water pumps ensure a cold cylinder head and a warm crankcase for optimum efficiency.

Peak power is nominally rated at 300kW at 6750rpm with peak torque a heady 500Nm at 5000rpm. The mild hybrid system can also generate a transient boost of 10kW in certain scenarios, courtesy of the belt-driven starter-generator (RSG). When paired with a Race Start launch control system and 4Matic all-wheel drive, this translates to a 0-100km/h time of just 4.6 seconds.

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Mercedes-AMG has limited the top speed of the C43 to 250km/h, although an optional AMG Driver's Package can see that lifted to 265km/h. That sounds like one for our German colleagues rather than anything that Aussie buyers will get too excited about.

Mercedes-AMG has fitted the C43 with a dynamic exhaust system the sound signature of which is controlled by an exhaust gas flap. Then there's the AMG Real Performance Sound – yes, really – which features a sensor in the exhaust that feeds audio into into the interior for what AMG describes as a “particularly emotive sound experience.” We can't wait to report on the success or otherwise of that feature.

That all-wheel drive system is decidedly rear-biased, with a fixed 31 per cent front and 69 per cent rear split. It works in conjunction with a five-mode AMG Dynamic Select system which can be cycled through Slippery, Comfort, Sport, Sport+ and Individual drive modes. On top of that, there's also the AMG Dynamics suite of Basic, Advanced and Pro to further fine-tune the response of the electronic stability control, which is either on, in Sport mode for more yaw angles or can be switched off for driving on tracks. Adaptive dampers are fitted as standard and have three modes – Comfort, Sport and Sport+.

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Agility is guaranteed by the rear-steer system, which can angle the rear wheels up to 2.5 degrees opposite the fronts at speeds of up to 100km/h (dependent on the AMG dynamics setting) after which the rears steer parallel to the fronts for improved stability, but only up to a maximum of 0.7 degrees. Braking duties are taken care of by internally vented and perforated iron brake discs measuring 370x36mm with a four-pot fixed caliper up front and 320x24mm rotors clamped by a single-piston floating caliper at the rear.

The C43 is built in both sedan and wagon body styles, but Mercedes-Benz here in Australia has yet to commit to the wagon version, which is understandable given this market's predilection for performance SUVs.

The C43 gets an AMG-specific radiator grille, and a front apron with aero flics, while round the back there's a diffuser-look rear apron and two round twin-tailpipe trim elements. While that doesn't sound totally functional, it does look good. 18-inch alloy wheels are fitted as standard, but we can't see to many buyers sticking with the standard rims when 19 and 20-inch options are on offer.

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The cabin features a specifically-ported AMG version of the MBUX infotainment system, which integrates the AMG Track Pace data logger. The cabin features AMG Seats in hard-wearing Artico man-made leather and Microcut microfibre in black with red contrast stitching offset with red seat belts.

The AMG performance steering wheel is trimmed in Nappa leather, garnished by aluminium gearshift paddles. Two round wheel-mounted manettino-style dials allow rapid selection of the drive modes. In case you'd forgotten how you'd spent your money, the cabin's rounded out with AMG sports pedals, AMG floor mats and AMG illuminated door sill trims.

It looks as if we'll have to wait until later next year and possibly even later to see the fire-breathing C63e model, but there was always a very specific split between C43 and C63 buyers, the former wanting something more versatile but which could still entertain, while the latter wanted a performance sedan with little in the way of compromise. That differentiation looks set to continue.

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When will the 2023 Mercedes-AMG C43 come to Australia?

Mercedes-Benz Australia has yet to reveal pricing and detailed trim specifications for domestic market models but were you to budget somewhere in the region of $125k for the C43 sedan – expected to arrive in the first half of 2023 – we don't think you'd be too far off the mark.

We look forward to getting behind the wheel and if expressions of interest logged at Mercedes-Benz dealers are anything to go by, so do Australian performance sedan buyers.

2023 Mercedes-AMG C43 specifications