The Updated Mercedes-AMG C43 Is Here With Nearly 400bhp

Hello 2018 AMG C43, we’ve been expecting you. Yep, a few weeks on from announcing a facelifted version of the regular C-Class, Mercedes has given the half-fat AMG version - the C43 - a mid-life fiddle.

First up, we have more power, courtesy of larger turbochargers. With 384bhp up from 362, the 3.0-litre V6 has been nudged a little closer to the 400bhp mark. 0-62mph takes 4.7 seconds in the saloon (not far off as fast as the old 6.2-litre V8-powered C63, we’d like to point out), and 4.8 seconds in the estate.

Exterior tweaks are extremely subtle, with the most noticeable change at the front being a new “twin-blade” grille design, teamed up with a reshaped bumper. But, you might have noticed a rather pleasing change at the rear: what looks to be real exhaust pipes rather than the fake bumper hole arrangement used on the pre-facelift car. Praise be.

There’s an optional AMG styling package which includes things like a front lip spoiler and bigger side skirts, and there’s also a new drag-reducing ‘AMG aero wheel’ option.

On the inside you’ll find the new AMG steering wheel that’s slowly been making its way through the range, and fancier trim options. The menu includes fancy sounding materials like “anthracite open-pore oak wood” and “open-pore walnut.” Prepare to spend a lot of time in the configurator.

On the poshness front the C43 has - like the rest of the C-Class range - been given Mercedes’ Energising Comfort Control ‘wellness’ feature as an option, but we’re more interested in ‘AMG Track Pace’, which is, erm, another option. First seen in the AMG GT range, it essentially turns your smart phone into a budget Vbox. What’s not to like?

The chassis has been largely left alone, which means a four-link front axle, a multi-link rear, “AMG-specific kinematics” and standard-fit adaptive dampers. As before, the V6 sends its power to all four wheels via a nine-speed automatic gearbox, with the rear wheels heavily biased.

The updated C43 will make its debut at the Geneva Motor Show this week.