The 2017 Mercedes-AMG E43 will make its first appearance at this month's NY Auto Show.
We’ve barely had time to consider the mainstream versions of the next-generation Mercedes-Benz E-Class but the German maker is already rolling out the first of what will be several AMG editions.
Part of a new line-up of what might be dubbed “AMG Light” offerings, the 396-horsepower 2017 Mercedes-AMG E43 puts a premium not only on safety but an extensive array of new safety technologies. That’s in keeping with the strategy of launching breakthroughs with the big S-Class and then going even further with each subsequent model that follows.
“The new AMG E43 offers impressive driving dynamics coupled with cutting-edge efficiency. Twin turbocharging, features adopted from motorsport and characteristic AMG design immediately indicate to our customers that the new E-Class from AMG offers pure Driving Performance coupled with cutting-edge technology and intense emotion,” said Tobias Moers, CEO of Mercedes-AMG GmbH.
(Click Here to check out the new C43 Cabriolet.)
In past generations, the E43 would likely have been dubbed an AMG Sport model, as it doesn’t ramp things up to the extremes of an E63. But the carmaker has been rejiggering its vehicle nomenclature lately, among other things dubbing all performance models “Mercedes-AMG.”
Visual changes are modest, ie the new exhaust tips and body-color spoiler lip.
In this case, what you’ll get under the hood is a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V-6 making a solid 396 horsepower – 155 more than the turbo-2.0-liter E300 – and 384 pound-feet of torque. The basic engine is shared with the recently launched Mercedes-AMG C43 Coupe, though in the bigger sedan it gets larger turbos that can punch the pony count up by 34 hp.
Power is delivered to all four wheels through a nine-speed automatic, the familiar Mercedes 4Matic system getting a sportier tuning that biases torque to the rear wheels unless and until road conditions demand otherwise.
Weighing in at 4,145 pounds, the E43 is no lightweight, but the twin-turbo package nonetheless will get you from 0 to 60 in a factory-rated 4.5 seconds, with a top speed of 155 mph. By comparison, the E300 will take 6.3 seconds to hit 60, the C43 Coupe about 4.6 seconds.
The new E-Class borrows virtually every safety and high-tech feature first seen on the S-Class remake launched two years ago. It takes things even further with near-autonomous technology that allows brief, hands-off driving.
(New E-Class pushes autonomous envelope. Click Here for more.)
Inside the new E43.
With the E43, the focus is on technology meant to enhance both performance and handling, That includes a specially tuned version of the 4Matic system, as well as the AMG Dynamic Select system which can adjust a wide range of vehicle parameters – including steering, braking and gear changes – with the touch of a button.Five different modes are available – including an ECO mode with Stop/Start for improving fuel economy.
Visually, the E43 mirrors what Mercedes has done with the C43, adding some of the more subtle AMG details without all of the more aggressive revisions. Here, that includes gloss block 19-inch light alloy wheels, a new front bumper and dual exhaust tips pushed to the corners.
Inside, there are special sport seats with red accent stitching, unique pedals and red seat belts.
The 2017 Mercedes-AMG E43 will make its formal debut at the New York Auto Show later this month and roll into U.S. showrooms early next year.
(Click Here for a first look at the new Mercedes GLE.)