Mercedes-AMG C43 or BMW M340i or Audi S4?
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0:00 - Intro
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BAD:
0:53 - Slower
Last year the C43 went 0-60 in 4.2 seconds, and now in the new car it gets to 60 in 4.6 seconds
Here’s the thing though, it still feels plenty quick
And with the addition of the EQ boost, and the exhaust electric turbocharger it’s a broader torque and power band
No matter what gear, no matter what rev, you’re going to have power
1:36 - Fuel Economy
So Technically it’s a little slower than last year AND even with dropping 2 cylinders and a liter of displacement, fuel economy remains the same at 22 mpg combined
This is, of course, because the 2 liter has to work harder at higher speeds
I’m sure, from an exhaust and emissions perspective this new car is better, but downsizing the engine and not getting better economy is a hard pill to swallow
And it’s made even harder considering an M340 gets 26 mpg…4 mpg better WITH 2 extra cylinders and another liter
2:12 - Expensive
The new C43 starts at 59,900
The Audi S4 starts at 52,800 - so just over 7 grand less
The BMW M340i is much closer at 58,400
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GOOD:
2:47 - The drive
This new car may be slower 0-60 and get the same fuel economy with 66% of the engine size BUT it’s by no means boring behind the wheel
What we have here is a TRUE AMG engine
It’s the one man one engine philosophy and it’s signed, so true AMG
It’s a brand new 2.0T 4 cylinder
With the mild hybrid EQ boost we’ve seen for a few years
And it’s also got an electric exhaust turbo…the same thing George and Lewis have on their W14s
Here the mill is good for 402 hp and 369 lbft
And for those of you keeping score that’s more power than M340 and the same torque figure
HOWEVER, as with pretty much all other modern AMGs, my favorite thing about the drive is the 9 speed
It’s crazy sharp and full of drama…hot take, i’ll take this box over the ZF in the M340
And then all that power gets to all 4 wheels as standard and the grip is great through the optional PS4S tires…ya love to see the proper tire on the car
Then in terms of balance, you have a great, rigid, and neutral chassis
And you’ve got AMG ride control with adaptive dampers
In sport and sport plus it is PROPER stiff
BUT in comfort the car relaxes…not to the point of a C300, but pretty good
But there’s a new party piece for this year to help the car feel more nimble and excited to see corners
This new car gets a rear steer module good for 2.5 degrees of steering
5:07 - Looks
This car is rocking the $1750 MANUFAKTUR moonlight white
Powerdome AMG hood
Panamericana grille
More aggressive lower fascia
This car also has the Night 1 and 2 package
AND the AMG carbon trim package
But one of the coolest things is the Digital light option - projects things on the road
Profile shape is pretty familiar
night package blacks out window treatments
New turbo badge front fender
Crazy 20 in wheels for aero efficiency
PS4S tires…beast
Rear end is a more aggressive imagining of C300 obviously
Molded lip spoiler standard, but carbon here
Aggressive rear hips with faux venting in bumper
Quad oval tips - rhombus for 63
Carbon diffuser
6:48 - The sound
I know we touched on this a bit earlier, but I know how big sound is to the experience for myself personally
And I know how the public has reacted to the smaller engines hitting the AMG C classes
So let’s just have a listen to this car…of course equipped with what Mercedes is calling
AMG Real Performance Sound exhaust
7:47 - Interior Design
Interior design is awesome - jaw dropping
Crazy ambient light
Multi-tones
animations
Massive screens
Carbon trimming
Exquisite letter and stitch work
Armrest is floating
Fancy Burmester speaker covers w/ 3D upgrade
8:37 - Rear seats
Vents
Optional climate zones
No rear charging, like GLC…weird
No heated rear seats
9:04 - Luxuries
Heated and cooled seats
Visually stunning cabin
materials*
Seat kinetics
Pressure sensitive seat controls on door of course
Pano roof (slider)
9:43 - Trunk
It’s powered and hands free or at least it’s supposed to be…chip stuff
40/20/40 - very lux pulls to drop
Underfloor storage
Netted bin is nice
10:17 - Technology
HUD option
Totally digital and customizable cluster
MBUX
huge vertical screen
themes
ambient lighting w effects
fingerprint driver profile
telemetry
360 cams
climate on screen
parktronic
Steering wheel is far and away the coolest
drive dials, etc
Gloss black center cover
Wireless charger
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11:42 - Conclusion