C-Class [Official] Mercedes-AMG C43 Coupe

[vios1]

C43 and C63 side view

 

[NTT]

Full fat vs skimmed.

 

[Sovereign]

First it was the milking of the Mercedes badge, now its the AMG badge being over used with lowly models that are not the real deal . Whats next a Maybach A45 with 5 inches of extra back space?

 

[NTT]

First it was the milking of the Mercedes badge, now its the AMG badge being over used with lowly models that are not the real deal . Whats next a Maybach A45 with 5 inches of extra back space?

Hahaha. Be careful what you wish for.

 

[Giannis]

If I ever were to buy a C43 AMG, I would debadge the hell out of it.

It's a matter of self respect.

 

[Rolf]

This badge would go well at the back.

Or this one

 

[Wunderkind]

I don't think Mercedes' intention is to milk the AMG brand but rather to differentiate the C43 Coupe from the C450 sedan.

 

[DexterMorgan]

I don't think Mercedes' intention is to milk the AMG brand but rather to differentiate the C43 Coupe from the C450 sedan.

Only, the C450 sedan is going to become the C43 sedan soon.

I actually don't mind the change in nomenclature. The C43 and C63 have more in common than not. They share an almost identical suspension, interior, brake pad diameters (steel, not CF). In fact, the major distinction between them is the lack of a hand assembled engine. In a way, you're getting an AMG-lite with the '43' and a AMG-proper with the '63'.

 

[DapperStyle]

Only, the C450 sedan is going to become the C43 sedan soon.

I actually don't mind the change in nomenclature. The C43 and C63 have more in common than not. They share an almost identical suspension, interior, brake pad diameters (steel, not CF). In fact, the major distinction between them is the lack of a hand assembled engine. In a way, you're getting an AMG-lite with the '43' and a AMG-proper with the '63'.

While it makes some sense, to me MB's strategy seems to lack direction. They released and discontinued the C400 and the C450 within a year of each other. That doesn't seem planned and instead it looks like they are just scrambling around trying to figure out the best way to market/sell the C lineup. But how could that be? We know timelines for vehicles are done years in advance. They are already working on the design of the refreshed C.

They've burned some 400 customers who would have waited for the much improved C450 and now the C43. There is the confusion for some customers of the x45 AMGs being smaller in power/displacement but having a higher badge number. I just don't understand what MB's long term strategy is and they don't seem to understand it either.

 

[DexterMorgan]

While it makes some sense, to me MB's strategy seems to lack direction. They released and discontinued the C400 and the C450 within a year of each other. That doesn't seem planned and instead it looks like they are just scrambling around trying to figure out the best way to market/sell the C lineup. But how could that be? We know timelines for vehicles are done years in advance. They are already working on the design of the refreshed C.

They've burned some 400 customers who would have waited for the much improved C450 and now the C43. There is the confusion for some customers of the x45 AMGs being smaller in power/displacement but having a higher badge number. I just don't understand what MB's long term strategy is and they don't seem to understand it either.

Can't argue with you there. However, isn't it true that some markets have been selling the C400 alongside the new C450? Now that would be confusing.

Assuming MB doesn't do another 180 with their naming strategy, this new '43' and '63' seems to be the right move to bring more people into the AMG fold. Get the buyers in early and at a lower price point initially, and they are likely to remain loyal in the long run and 'up'grade themselves to the 63's.

You do bring up a good point with the CLA/GLA45's. Maybe they'll remain '45' branded considering it is still a higher number than 43. Or maybe, MB may scrap the 2l engine and give these cars the M276. The RS3 has an I5 making 367HP and the M276 makes exactly the same HP out of its 6 cylinders. Who knows, the cars may even get better MPG's with this engine.

Slightly unrelated, but I really wish we had some insights on what's happening with the other sub-brand - Mercedes-Maybach.

 

[Wunderkind]

Only, the C450 sedan is going to become the C43 sedan soon.

I actually don't mind the change in nomenclature. The C43 and C63 have more in common than not. They share an almost identical suspension, interior, brake pad diameters (steel, not CF). In fact, the major distinction between them is the lack of a hand assembled engine. In a way, you're getting an AMG-lite with the '43' and a AMG-proper with the '63'.

Don't forget the C43 has 4WD

 

[Wolfgang]

Slightly unrelated, but I really wish we had some insights on what's happening with the other sub-brand - Mercedes-Maybach.

Gorden Wagener may have given some hints recently.

AmericaJR

How can you develop Maybach?

Gorden Wagener: "Maybach is our luxury subbrand, but we are just at the beginning of its relaunch. Its success makes us very confident to evolve it further. But we need time." Automotive News

 

[empower77]

I really want to like the coupe body style; but both this and he 4 series look slightly unattractive to me; particularly the gently sloping rear. It gives the profile a very unagressive stance. Not something I would want my performance car to look like. In both cases; the C and the 3er sedans look more resolved

 

[picsoubmw]

Can't argue with you there. However, isn't it true that some markets have been selling the C400 alongside the new C450? Now that would be confusing.

You're right, in Europe the C400 is still available alongside the C450 AMG/C43. I guess MB USA should have kept the C400 after the introduction of the C450 to kept the AMG brand more exclusive.

 

[Merc1]

M

 

[-=Hot|Ice=-]

First it was the milking of the Mercedes badge, now its the AMG badge being over used with lowly models that are not the real deal . Whats next a Maybach A45 with 5 inches of extra back space?

Are they really milking the AMG badge? In my opinion, BMW is milking the M badge more than Mercedes is milking the AMG badge. At least there's no such that as an AMG C400..with halogen lighting.BMW introduced the M235i, the MX40 40i, and there are more models coming. The same people that I use to make fun of for having an M badge on their car (M X6, M 328), I can't really say anything to because BMW is slapping that badge on the cars just like they are.


Yes, my earlier statement about lighting was a stab a BMW. If you notice their M Performance line, they're charging you more for the car, with slight tweaks in the suspension, a small boost in horsepower and torque, but they still come with halogen rear taillights and halogen turn signals in the front if you don't get LED headlights. The 3 series LCI doesn't have a FULL LED taillight cluster. The turn signal is still halogen.

I have been working for the BMW brand for almost four years now and my family has been blessed and has driven nothing but BMW since I was born. I've seen the quality drop through the years. Mercedes went through the same thing in the early 2000's, but they seem to have picked themselves up.

 

[Monster]

Are they really milking the AMG badge? In my opinion, BMW is milking the M badge more than Mercedes is milking the AMG badge. At least there's no such that as an AMG C400..with halogen lighting.BMW introduced the M235i, the MX40 40i, and there are more models coming. The same people that I use to make fun of for having an M badge on their car (M X6, M 328), I can't really say anything to because BMW is slapping that badge on the cars just like they are.


Yes, my earlier statement about lighting was a stab a BMW. If you notice their M Performance line, they're charging you more for the car, with slight tweaks in the suspension, a small boost in horsepower and torque, but they still come with halogen rear taillights and halogen turn signals in the front if you don't get LED headlights. The 3 series LCI doesn't have a FULL LED taillight cluster. The turn signal is still halogen.

I have been working for the BMW brand for almost four years now and my family has been blessed and has driven nothing but BMW since I was born. I've seen the quality drop through the years. Mercedes went through the same thing in the early 2000's, but they seem to have picked themselves up.

Lets not drag BMW into this, especially about something that is beyond the control of the M-division.

 

[domleo999]

BMW is milking the M badge more than Mercedes is milking the AMG badge. .

Fair point, but you cant say their milking the brand because they don't offer superior lighting.. the M135i is the only car in the 1-series range to offer a 3.0L engine which is a huge bump up say from a 125i and not to mention the M550d - a car in its own right with a tri-turbo setup

 

[-=Hot|Ice=-]

I love what Mercedes has done with the coupe. Wish they had made the sedan look just as aggressive.

 

[LaArtist]

M

Any tests between this and the M4 yet?
It smokes it in looks though and especially the interior.
And i love the looks of the M4, i think its the best looking M3/4 ever.

But they did a number on BMW with this one, and it may possibly smoke it on the road as well.