A new limited-edition Mercedes-AMG C 43 has been announced for Australia, bringing a lower price and more performance-focused equipment to the sports sedan, but at the cost of some safety and convenience features.
Priced from $112,600 before on-road costs, the Edition R is a considerable $38,000 less expensive than the Mercedes-AMG C 43 upon which it’s based.
Visual exterior differences include the standard fitment of Night Package II (which includes a darkened grille and dark chrome badging) and red brake calipers, which sit behind 20-inch light-alloy wheels.
Inside, the standard AMG front seats have been swapped out for AMG’s sportier buckets, which are upholstered in Microcut microfibre on the main panels and feature Artico leatherette bolsters.
These are contrasted with red inserts, stitching and seatbelts, while the Edition R also gets a unique Metal Structure trim for its dashboard and centre console. Also standard is a Nappa leather and Microcut-accented performance steering wheel.
Additional changes under the skin include AMG’s Dynamic Plus package, which brings dynamic engine mounts and a ‘Race’ drive mode which can also unlock the Track Pace system, acting as a data recorder on circuits.
Though it gains these appearance and mechanical changes, the Edition R sacrifices a handful of features from the C 43, including:
- Digital Light headlights with Adaptive High Beam Assist Plus (replaced by LED headlights with adaptive high-beam)
- Driving Assistance Package Plus (stop-and-go assist for its adaptive cruise control)
- Augmented reality navigation
- Urban Guard vehicle protection
- Heat and noise insulating acoustic glazing (privacy glazing remains)
There’s no extra power or torque for its turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, which continues to produce 300kW of power and 500Nm of torque.
It’s boosted by a 48-volt mild-hybrid system and belt-driven starter generator (RSG), providing up to 10kW of assistance.
It’s mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission which delivers drive to all four wheels, splitting torque 31/69 between the front and rear axles.
The Mercedes-AMG C 43 Edition R is on sale now.
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