What We Like
The proud AMG moniker
Engine is a sweet unit
Holds itself very well around corners
Looks and sounds excellent
What We Dislike
Some will still prefer the full-blown C 63 AMG due to its more aggressive aesthetic bits
In more ways than one, cars are quite like women - can't live with them and can't live without them. On bad days, they have the ability to put your patience to the test, treat you with ample disrespect and make you go through the sort of emotional distress that will only make you feel like a complete imbecile.
On good days, however, they have the generosity and the biggest of hearts to feed you well, support you through your darkest hours and elevate your mood to the highest level possible.
And like women these days, it's difficult to find a car you can proudly claim to be soulful.
Where on Earth are you going with this?
Recently, we took out the Mercedes-AMG C43 Saloon, and it reminded us once again just how important, albeit rare, a soulful car can mean to a driver.
While the C63 S AMG that we've tried back in 2015 is faster and more brutal, the C43 is lighter on its feet and has a comfortable and composed suspension setup that's more suitable for the constrained roads in Singapore without compromising on dynamism and precision. The very fact that the car produces a natural and an enthusiastic soundtrack makes it all the more delightful to pilot, regardless of how fast you're going.
In that sense, the car that you see here is a completely different animal from its 63 brethren. Despite having the V8 powerplant thrown out in favour of a 3.0-litre V6 twin-turbocharged that's capable of 367 horses and 520Nm of torque, the AMG drama remains. Power is sent to all four wheels, which enables it to smash the century sprint in just 4.7 seconds flat without any noticeable wheel spin.
What about the way it dances on the tarmac?
What's really satisfying about the C43 is that it isn't just a tamer version of the C63 like how, say, a C180 is of a C250. Instead, it resembles more like how a Cayman is to a 911, where the differences between two cars go beyond skin deep.
On good days, however, they have the generosity and the biggest of hearts to feed you well, support you through your darkest hours and elevate your mood to the highest level possible.
And like women these days, it's difficult to find a car you can proudly claim to be soulful.
Where on Earth are you going with this?
Recently, we took out the Mercedes-AMG C43 Saloon, and it reminded us once again just how important, albeit rare, a soulful car can mean to a driver.
While the C63 S AMG that we've tried back in 2015 is faster and more brutal, the C43 is lighter on its feet and has a comfortable and composed suspension setup that's more suitable for the constrained roads in Singapore without compromising on dynamism and precision. The very fact that the car produces a natural and an enthusiastic soundtrack makes it all the more delightful to pilot, regardless of how fast you're going.
In that sense, the car that you see here is a completely different animal from its 63 brethren. Despite having the V8 powerplant thrown out in favour of a 3.0-litre V6 twin-turbocharged that's capable of 367 horses and 520Nm of torque, the AMG drama remains. Power is sent to all four wheels, which enables it to smash the century sprint in just 4.7 seconds flat without any noticeable wheel spin.
What about the way it dances on the tarmac?
What's really satisfying about the C43 is that it isn't just a tamer version of the C63 like how, say, a C180 is of a C250. Instead, it resembles more like how a Cayman is to a 911, where the differences between two cars go beyond skin deep.
On the go, the C43 is indeed balanced and competent, with sufficient power and verve that will keep your senses heightened. Carving corners with aplomb, the Merc's lateral grip is nothing short of impressive and there is little fear of the rear wheels kicking out - thanks to the stable 4MATIC system - as you pull out of the bend.
Even as you perform hooliganism around town, there is never a lack of confidence behind the wheel. The brake pedal is well-modulated and reassuringly firm. There is simply no need for guesswork here. More relevantly, occupants are free from harsh impact intruding the cabin when travelling over broken tarmac.
It somehow looks restrained though
The C43 may sport subtler aesthetic add-ons, such as silver brake callipers instead of sporty, hot red ones, and a less aggressive-looking diamond grille as compared to the C63, but that's the magic of it. The AMG theatrics are skin deep, which make this car that much more desirable and understated.
I'll have what you're having
It's essential that you understand that the C43 isn't a car for the typical wannabe Japanese from Tampines or Korean from Kovan. This is the kind of car for drivers who know what they're getting themselves into, the kind who enjoy the simple pleasures of driving something unassuming yet bold enough to the close circle of friends who have a certain knowledge about automobiles.
At $321,888 (as of 20 January 2017), the C43 doesn't just have the bragging rights to go with the good looks, it is also a combination of luxury and performance. So if you're going to have what we're having, it's going to be the C43.
Even as you perform hooliganism around town, there is never a lack of confidence behind the wheel. The brake pedal is well-modulated and reassuringly firm. There is simply no need for guesswork here. More relevantly, occupants are free from harsh impact intruding the cabin when travelling over broken tarmac.
It somehow looks restrained though
The C43 may sport subtler aesthetic add-ons, such as silver brake callipers instead of sporty, hot red ones, and a less aggressive-looking diamond grille as compared to the C63, but that's the magic of it. The AMG theatrics are skin deep, which make this car that much more desirable and understated.
I'll have what you're having
It's essential that you understand that the C43 isn't a car for the typical wannabe Japanese from Tampines or Korean from Kovan. This is the kind of car for drivers who know what they're getting themselves into, the kind who enjoy the simple pleasures of driving something unassuming yet bold enough to the close circle of friends who have a certain knowledge about automobiles.
At $321,888 (as of 20 January 2017), the C43 doesn't just have the bragging rights to go with the good looks, it is also a combination of luxury and performance. So if you're going to have what we're having, it's going to be the C43.
