2023 Mercedes-AMG C43 price and specs: New four-cylinder sedan more than $20,000 dearer

The new 2023 Mercedes-AMG C43 sports sedan – which drops twin-turbo V6 power for a hybrid-assisted four-cylinder – will cost in excess of $20,000 more than the car it replaces when it arrives in showrooms imminently.

Priced from $134,900 plus on-road costs, the new C43 sedan is up a significant $21,324 compared to the outgoing model – making the new entry-level AMG C-Class $9500 cheaper than a Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG of 15 years ago.

However, the new C43 is larger than the car it replaces, and is packed with more technology – including the new 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with mild-hybrid technology and Formula One-inspired turbo technology.

Based on the new 'W206' generation C-Class platform which arrived in Australia in February 2022, the new Mercedes-AMG C43 launches ahead of the more powerful C63 S E Performance that's expected to arrive this July, priced north of $200,000.

Both high-performance AMG versions of the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class now feature a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with some form of performance-orientated electrification – mild hybrid tech in the C43, or a plug-in hybrid system in the C63.

The 2023 Mercedes-AMG C43 is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine – as found in Mercedes-AMG's range of '45' compact cars, such as the Mercedes-AMG A45 S hot hatch – which is further assisted by a 48-volt mild hybrid system.

System outputs are 300kW and 500Nm – up 13kW but down 20Nm compared to the outgoing model – with a 48-volt belt-driven electric motor attached to the engine, which is able to provide a 10kW power "boost" at lower rpm.

The belt-driven electric motor is also the engine's alternator and starter motor combined as one unit.

Also included is an electrically-assisted turbocharger – derived from Mercedes-AMG's Formula One cars – which fits an electric motor to the turbocharger to spin it when exhaust gases are insufficient at low speeds, reducing turbo lag.

Mercedes-AMG claims a 0-100km/h time of 4.6 seconds for the new C43, making it 0.1 seconds quicker than the outgoing six-cylinder turbo-powered 2021 Mercedes-AMG C43.

The new car's nine-speed 'wet' multi-clutch transmission also introduces a new intermediate throttle function, which Mercedes-AMG claims keeps the throttle applied between gear changes in Sport and Sport+ modes to deliver a kick in the back during upshifts.

As with the outgoing car, the new 2023 C43 uses AMG's 4Matic permanent all-wheel drive system, which splits power 31:69 front-to-rear, and can be manipulated via the drive modes.

Mercedes-AMG claims the system can "[provide] brief braking intervention at the inner rear wheel" to help it turn into a corner, and keep the body level.

Other performance features include adaptive suspension, a dual-mode exhaust, customisable drive modes, and performance brakes with 370mm discs and four pistons up front, and one piston and 320mm discs at the rear.

There is also rear-wheel steering that can apply up to 2.5 degrees of rotation to the rear wheels to reduce the turning circle at parking speeds, or aid high-speed handling and stability.

Standard interior features include the brand's MBUX software on an 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and an 11.9-inch infotainment touchscreen with wired and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

There's also a head-up display, 15-speaker Burmester premium sound system, heated and leather sports seats in either single-tone black or black with red inserts, customisable ambient lighting, gloss-black dashboard inlays and wireless phone charging.

Exterior equipment includes adaptive LED headlights, 20-inch aero-look alloy wheels, a Mercedes-AMG-exclusive 'Panamericana' front grille design, black styling elements (front, sides and rear spoiler) and circular quad tailpipes.

The array of available option packs is led by a 'Performance Ergonomic Package' for $5200 that adds red stitching to the seats, a nappa leather and microfibre steering wheel, AMG Performance sports bucket front seats, and a performance data-logger called 'AMG Track Pace'.

Others cost-extra equipment includes 'digital' LED headlights with adaptive high-beam functionality ($2400), AMG carbon-fibre dash inlays ($1700), 'Manufaktur' paint colours ($1500) and anthracite lime wood dashboard inlays ($700).

Whilst the new-generation C43 is offered only as a sedan in Australia – with the wagon body type available in Europe not coming to Australia – a replacement for the ageing, current-generation C43 coupe isn't too far away.

As previously reported by Drive, coupe and convertible versions of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and E-Class are expected to be merged into one new-generation model, badged CLE, which is due for unveiling in Europe sometime this year.

Drive understands the replacement for the current Mercedes-AMG C43 coupe and convertible will be an AMG 43 version of the new CLE, which reports out of Europe indicate will feature the same 2.0-litre turbo engine as the new C43 sedan.

The 2023 Mercedes-AMG C43 sedan is due in Australian showrooms in mid February 2023, ahead of the Mercedes-AMG C63 S E Performance in July 2023.

Note: All prices above exclude on-road costs.