The Mercedes-AMG E43 Estate Is A 400bhp Modern-Day Sleeper

Are sleeper cars really dead? Judging by this oh-so subtle, near-400bhp Mercedes estate, we're not sure it's the case
The Mercedes-AMG E43 Estate Is A 400bhp Modern-Day Sleeper

Modern super saloons and estates are so festooned in lumps, bulges, vents and wings that many claim the concept of a sleeper car is dead. However, I’m not so sure, and one of the cars that makes me think otherwise is the new Mercedes-AMG E43 estate.

On the outside, there’s not a whole lot to tell it apart from the boggo E-Class estate - a car also revealed this week - and yet it’s packing the same 395bhp, 383lb ft 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 as the equally subtle E43 saloon. 0-62mph takes just 4.7 seconds, while the top speed is the usual 155mph electronically limited deal.

The Mercedes-AMG E43 Estate Is A 400bhp Modern-Day Sleeper

So, it doesn’t look particularly fast, yet will match the supercharged, full fat E55 AMG from a couple generations ago to 62mph. What was that about sleepers being dead?

Power is sent to all four wheels by a nine-speed automatic gearbox, and if the saloon version is anything to go by, the estate will have a 31:69 torque split favouring the rear wheels. The E43 also gets beefier AMG suspension.

The Mercedes-AMG E43 Estate Is A 400bhp Modern-Day Sleeper

If you want more power and a couple of extra cylinders a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 E63 will follow eventually, with an expected power output in excess of 600bhp. But if it’s the E43 you’re after, it goes on sale with the rest of the E-class estate range this October.

Comments

Anonymous

What about bmw f11 m5 touring?

06/07/2016 - 11:27 |
18 | 2
Q1994vH

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

That doesn’t exist :)
Only the M550d Touring, maybe that’s the one you mean?

06/07/2016 - 11:46 |
24 | 0
rmdnRizky

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

You mean “optional M performance package”

06/07/2016 - 11:49 |
4 | 0
Anonymous

Just stuck in a good engine on a dull car and you’re ready to roll.

06/07/2016 - 11:38 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

What is a sleeper car? I’ve heard so many definitions.

06/07/2016 - 11:44 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Is faster than it looks like.

06/07/2016 - 11:47 |
4 | 0
Q1994vH

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Cars that look normal form the outside, but pack a powerful engine :)
At least that is how people told me haha

06/07/2016 - 11:48 |
10 | 0
Ali Mahfooz

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Mainstream looking cars with dull appearance but have a very powerful engine. Mostly family sedans, estate wagons and a few trucks.

06/07/2016 - 12:09 |
20 | 2
Anonymous

Ah, cheers guys

06/07/2016 - 12:05 |
2 | 0
JenstheGTIfreak (pizza)

I’ll take the V8

06/07/2016 - 12:10 |
8 | 0

I’ll take the Audi RS4.

06/07/2016 - 12:18 |
6 | 2
Anonymous

Hopefully its better than this sleeper

06/07/2016 - 12:59 |
146 | 2
Ezra Berg (1994 Buick Roadmaster) (1970 El Camino)

When you want road rage but fam is life.

06/07/2016 - 13:11 |
12 | 2
Jakob

Okay, so where does Mercedes-Benz get these numbers behind the letter from? They used to refer to the displacement, but this looks more like Rand-Int.

06/07/2016 - 14:26 |
2 | 0
FlazeTheDragon

In reply to by Jakob

at least its not as bad as BMW. for ~10 years now, they are calling there 3l engines 5’s

06/07/2016 - 16:16 |
4 | 0
FlazeTheDragon

Did someone order a herse?

06/07/2016 - 16:15 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

Audi did that with RS6 Avant.

06/07/2016 - 17:07 |
6 | 0
Ferb

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Even when de-badged you can spot an RS6 from a mile away. Twin oval pipes, huge grill, extra wide fenders, 21’ wheels, big carbon ceramic brakes. While this looks more or less line an E-class. :)

06/08/2016 - 11:39 |
8 | 0

Topics

Manufacturers

Sponsored Posts