2017 Mercedes-AMG E43: Five Things You Need to Know
Majestic beauty with power for the track and the streets.
Slotted between the base four-cylinder E300 and the 603-HP AMG E63 S, the 2017 Mercedes-Benz E43 AMG just might be the sweet spot in the lineup. It is more fun than the daily driver, but not a blow-your-mind track car. It combines parts of both and is really good. Here are 5 things you need to know.
New Model
The E43 AMG is a new vehicle for the company that was introduced in September 2016. It joins an all-new E-Class that made its world debut at the 2016 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The company said it is the most technologically advanced car they have ever produced at that time.
Powertrain Delivers
The E43 AMG comes equipped with a twin-turbo 3.0L V-6 mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive all specially tuned. Mercedes says the car will go 0-60 in 4.5 seconds with the powertrain producing 396 HP and 384 lb-ft of torque.
Car and Driver also tested it and found it was quicker with a 4.2 second 0-60 and a 12.8 second quarter mile at 109 MPG.
Moving this quick means also needing to stop and handle well. AMG equipped the E43 with their performance braking system and ESP dynamic cornering assist. Combined with the 4-wheel multilink suspension and an electromechanical power steering, the car handles like a smaller vehicle than it is.
Behind the Wheel
Switching through the various drive modes to Sport +, the car comes alive and each of these features livens up to give you the feel of a track car on the open road. It is an invigorating experience.
The E43 AMG is one of those cars you swear is more powerful and smaller than it really is. Gliding through the corners, the lag-less 3.0L V-6 responds to any throttle input and you would be forgiven in thinking you are racing and not driving. Well, we would forgive you, the police officer may not.
All of this performance and handling does create the problem of controlling it. Switching back to normal mode, the car dramatically shifts into a well-rounded daily driver. The fear of a daily speeding ticket diminishes as well.
Styling Inside and Out
Without question, Mercedes-Benz designs some brilliant looking cars with a style lasting for years.
The E43 is no exception without a stunning exterior and an interior filled with style and comfort. Add in the exterior color-matching red seatbelts and finding a detail overlooked becomes a difficult task.
Pricing
One of the things to keep in mind with the E43 is how quickly the options add up. The base model starts at $71,600 and can quickly push over $80,000.
Mercedes-Benz makes it too easy to want the options. For example, adding to the base Premium 1 package is the Premium 2 and 3 packages as well as a warmth and comfort package as well as sun protection package. The later 2 aren’t too expensive with the sun package at $380 and the warmth and comfort at $1,050. However, the Premium packages at $2,900 and $6,500 respectively.
Our difficulty is after driving the Premium 3 package car, it is hard to not see those features as musts, specifically the heads up display, active steering, and lane change assist. Simply put, properly equipped this is one of the safest cars on the market.
Tell us your thoughts on this car in the comments.