AutoNSider Review | 2019 Mercedes AMG C43 Coupe

Let's just say that Mercedes is serious about their AMG line.

Some car makers will slap something like an "S" on their vehicles…call it a "Sport" model…and hope that you'll take their word for it.

Not Mercedes. When you see "AMG" you can be assured that it's not just holding its stomach in to look tough. There's some real muscles under that taught skin.

So I think you get it that Mercedes' AMG C43 is a performance machine, right?

While I know that this is an apples-to-oranges comparison, this AMG felt more like the Richard Petty NASCAR stocker that I drove vs. what I've become to expect from the average Mercedes.

But, again, we're not talking about "average" here. The AMG C43 had a 3.0 liter twin-turbo that punched way above its 385 horsepower. Drive it easy, and all you'll notice is its stiffer steering and suspension and a casual exhaust growl.

But punch that throttle and it'll throw you back in your seat and really howl at you.

60 will come up in 4.5 seconds. How do they get so much performance out of such a modestly-sized engine? Among other reasons, the AMG's 9-speed auto keeps you in the right gear for any occasion…and the innards of the engine are polished to a mirror-like finish. Again, the AMG is pretty much a race car with no numbers on its side…trying to go unnoticed while wearing a civilian, luxury disguise.

Need more?

If so, you'll find that Mercedes has just about as many choices as does the menu at the Cheesecake Factory.

In a lineup that includes "A", "C","E", "CLS", and "S", models, the C is on the smaller end of things at your Mercedes store. Ample room for two…a bit tight for anyone older than a middle-schooler in the rear.

And back to your choices, once you've selected the "C" size, you've still got quite a range of choices to make. The fun starts with a mid-$40's 2.0 liter turbo with 255 HP. That'll get you to 60 in a blink under six seconds. AWD will add another two thousand.

Next up is our test AMG C43. With delivery fees, the window-sticker starts in the high $50's…and can run right into the $70's if you select appetizers, entrees, deserts and drinks. One "must" option, tho' is Mercedes' performance exhaust. Pure music…and well-worth the $1,250.

And if that's not enough, the next steps up are a couple of V-8 twin turbos that'll pump out up to 503 HP and get you to 60 in 3.7 seconds. You may want all that…but you probably don't need it.

Our AMG C43 not only felt fast, it went fast…and scored a surprising 27 MPG on the highway.

And as for options, what this C43 didn't have probably hasn't been invented yet.

In fact, in addition to the expected ways to select your suspension settings and shift points, this AMG had a track setting…and it came with a stern warning not to even think about choosing "Track" if you're not, in fact, on a race track.

And that's pretty much the biggest disappointment I experienced with the Mercedes AMG C43…not having access to my own private race track.

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