Mercedes-AMG have revealed the most potent V6 GLC- and E-Class cars yet, the 43 4MATIC versions.
Of late, Mercedes have been restructuring trims and lines in a bid to distinguish between the luxury and high-performance models. One result of that was the 450 badge’s selection for axing. It began with the SLC-Class, and went on to be confirmed for the C-Class, GLE-Class and now the E-Class has become the latest to get confirmed. However, it isn’t the 367-PS motor that the new E gets, it’s been bumped up to over 400.
The AMG E 43 4MATIC, based on the new W213 E-Class revealed earlier this year at Geneva, gets similar styling save for new AMG 19″ wheels and, of course, the friendly monster under the bonnet. Positioned below the twin-turbo V8 engined E 63 and E 63 S, the E 43 gets a 2,996-cc V6 with a pair of larger turbochargers than the 400-badged version (that makes 333-PS) and that means 401 PS and 520 Nm of torque. Furthermore, their in-house 9G-Tronic nine-speed transmission is – thanks to the transfer case being flange-mounted as a separate system – paired with the 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system. The drive is rear-biased and is split 31:69. That should allow for some thrilling performance, with the 0-100 sprint claimed to be 4.6 seconds.
The new AMG GLC 43 4MATIC is the most powerful version of the new model, and is the only variant with a six-cylinder engine, getting the same 2,996-cc V6 motor but with 367 PS and 520 Nm, similar to the C 43 and GLE 43 Coupé. Here, 0-100 takes 4.9 seconds and the top speed is limited to 250 km/h.
We expect both these models to make their way to India soon, following the introduction of their Mercedes-Benz luxury variants before the AMG high-performance variants come in. Since the E 43 is positioned below the E 63, expect a price around the Rs 1-crore mark. The GLC-Class will be positioned between the GLA- and GLE-Class SUVs and will take the fight to the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Volvo XC60 and, as such, will be priced around the Rs 45-lakh mark, with the GLC 43 also costing about Rs 1 crore (ex-showroom).
Story: Jim Gorde
