Mercedes-AMG C 43: A sedan fitted with F1-derived technology

The latest-generation Mercedes-AMG C 43 uses technologies directly derived from Formula 1, allowing the souped-up sedan to set new standards for innovative drive solutions.

At a glance, the sedan bears striking resemblance to the Mercedes-AMG safety car that trots ahead of the Formula 1 cars whenever an accident occurs on the track or when inclement weather jeopardizes the race. However, there’s more to what the Mercedes-AMG C 43 sedan features at the fore.

Under its hood is an engine that borrows technology from Formula 1.

The Mercedes-AMG C 43 is fitted with the AMG M139l. The hand-built power plant is the world's first series-production engine to be turbocharged with an electric exhaust-gas turbocharger, an innovative system that is a direct derivative of the technology that the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team has been using so successfully in the premier class of motorsport for many years.

An electric motor is integrated into the turbocharger which allows it to be electronically controlled. This drives the shaft of the turbocharger directly and thus accelerates the compressor wheel before the exhaust gas flow takes over the drive in a conventional manner.

The result, per Mercedes, is a significant improvement in the engine’s response from idle and across the entire rev range. Additionally, the AMG M139l reacts even more spontaneously to accelerator-pedal input, while the entire driving feel is significantly more responsive.

Furthermore, the electrification of the turbocharger enables higher torque at low revs which allows the Mercedes-AMG C 43 to maintain boost pressure — to ensure a continuously direct response — even when the driver takes their foot off the accelerator or when the driver brakes.

The AMG 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, which debuted on the Mercedes-AMG SL 43, now endows the Mercedes-AMG C 43 with 402 horses and about 500Nm of almost instantaneous torque. Thanks to the belt-driven starter generator (RSG), which acts as a mild hybrid component, the Mercedes-AMG C 43 receives a 13-horsepower boost in certain driving situations.

The turbocharged mill is mated to AMG’s Speedshift MCT 9G nine-speed automatic transmission with a wet multi-disc start-off clutch.

On paper, the Mercedes-AMG C 43 zooms from zero to 60mph in roughly 4.6 seconds with an electronically limited top speed of 155mph that can be increased to 165mph with the help of optional 19- or 20-inch wheels.

With all this power at the driver’s disposal, Mercedes equips the Mercedes-AMG C 43 with the AMG sport braking system with internally ventilated and perforated brake discs with four-piston calipers at the front and disc brakes with a one-piston caliper at the rear. The brakes feature silver-painted brake calipers and black “AMG” lettering.

Other notable performance-oriented features on the sporty sedan are the standard rear-axle steering, the AMG Performance 4MATIC permanent all-wheel drive with rear-biased torque distribution, and the AMG Ride Control suspension with Adaptive Damping System.

These go hand-in-hand with the available AMG Dynamic Select drive modes which include Slippery, Comfort, Sport, Sport+, and Individual which in itself has three modes which are Basic, Advanced, and Pro.

Photos from Mercedes-Benz

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