First performance-oriented version of the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class has been revealed, christened the E43 AMG.
Roughly two months after the global premier of the fifth-gen E-Class, Mercedes-Benz has now announced the arrival of a performance-oriented version of the luxury sedan. Naturally, this version comes billed sporting an AMG badge. Called the Mercedes-AMG E43, the sporty sedan is the first of two AMG variants planned for the new E-Class range.
The E43 AMG saloon is headlined by an AMG fettled 3.0-litre V6 bi-turbo petrol engine – same that does duty in the recently unveiled C43 AMG coupe. In the E43 though, the powertrain has been further upgraded by adding bigger turbochargers along with a tweaked software. This means the V6 in the E43 receives a power bump of around 34bhp, taking the total horsepower count to 391bhp. Torque remains unchanged at 520Nm.
Power reserves from the engine are served to all four-wheels, courtesy a 9-speed automatic transmission and 4MATIC four-wheel drive system. The system is mostly rear-biased with a front-to-rear torque distribution ratio of 31:69 per cent. If performance claims are to be believed, the E43 AMG will clock 0-100km/h within 4.6 seconds. That said, the top speed is limited at 250km/h.
Visually, the E43 receives some AMG tidbits, distinguishing it from regular counterparts. It gets an AMG sports front bumper, 19-inch AMG five-spoke alloy wheels and quad-flow exhaust tips at the back. Inside, the cabin gets usual AMG treatment including a flat-bottom steering, black nappa leather seats with contrast stitching, etc.
The Mercedes-AMG E43 is not a full-blown performance product like the earlier versions. It is a more subdued performance version of the sedan that will be pitched against the Audi S6, BMW 5-Series M Sport, etc. Mercedes-AMG is expected to launch the more powerful, and more mental, E63 version of the car towards the end of 2016. That is speculated to be powered by the company’s 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, which is already available in the AMG GT and C63 AMG.
Also read: Mercedes AMG C43 Coupe introduced
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