Mercedes-AMG E43 performance model confirmed ~ station of gear

AMG boss confirms new E43 performance saloon to sit below 600bhp range-topping Mercedes-AMG E63

2016-03-02 11:25

Boss of Mercedes-AMG, Tobias Moers, has confirmed that a new E43 AMG performance model will join the range.

Speaking to Auto Express at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show he revealed, “we’ll see an E43 in the near future, but first we have to fulfil our promises,” adding that a GLC 43 will also join the line-up.

“These cars are close, we’ll see them in something like two months’ time,” Moers outlined.

The E43 will use the same 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6, nine-speed automatic gearbox and 4Matic four-wheel drive system as the C43, which produces 362bhp and sprints 0-62mph in 4.7 seconds.

It’s not known if the larger E43 will boast a power upgrade over its smaller sibling to counter the E-Class’s extra weight, but Moers did indicate that the new E63 AMG flagship will ramp the German power war up another notch with “around 600bhp.”

The E63 will be revealed at the end of the year and will feature the most powerful version of the firm’s 4.0-litre biturbo V8 to date, driving all four wheels for extra traction.

A modified version of this unit will also find its way into an even more hardcore version of the AMG GT sports car, called the AMG GT R as confirmed by Auto Express’s sister title Evo.

“We’re going to bring the next performance level in the GT,” said Moers. “It won’t necessarily use exactly the same engine as the E63 due to the demands of the GT, like the lightweight oriented design, but it’ll have the highest power output we’ve seen in that car yet.”

However, 4Matic four-wheel drive won’t be an option, according to Moers. “The GT will remain a pure sports car with rear-wheel drive only – nobody so far has complained about traction.”

Sean Carson

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