Info für Besucher ohne Javascript

Premium

Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG - German-American friendship

This article was auto-translated. We apologize if some words are confusing or simply amusing. Would you like to help us improve?

Created on February 19, 2025

Text:

Bruno von Rotz

Photos:

Mercedes-Benz AG

33

Juan Martinez - Courtesy Gooding & Co

10

Mercedes-Benz AG

33

Juan Martinez - Courtesy Gooding & Co

10

Mercedes-Benz C 43 AMG (1999) - fast touring sedan

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Mercedes-Benz C 43 AMG (1999) - still very compact at 4.52 m in length

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Mercedes-Benz C 43 AMG (1999) - different aprons all round distinguish the C 43 from the base model and its predecessor, the C 36

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Mercedes-Benz C 43 AMG (1999) - 172.3 m wide, always with a star on the hood

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Mercedes-Benz C 43 AMG (1999) - specific rear apron, oval twin exhaust

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Mercedes-Benz C 43 AMG (1999) - close to series production, but the seats had complex controls

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Mercedes-Benz C 43 AMG (1999) - speedometer up to 280 km/h, but limited to 250 km/h as standard, more cost extra

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Mercedes-Benz C 43 AMG (1999) - contoured rear seat but three seats provided

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Mercedes-Benz C 43 AMG (1999) - V8 engine with 306 hp

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Mercedes-Benz C 43 AMG (1999) - AMG logos on the exhaust trims

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Mercedes-Benz C 36 AMG (1993) - set apart from the rest of the range by special aprons and wheels, red as a color rare

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Mercedes-Benz C 36 AMG (1993) - 280 hp saloon from the W 202 model series

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Mercedes-Benz C 36 AMG (1993) - the six-cylinder saloon ran at 250 km/h

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Mercedes-Benz C 36 AMG (1993) - how the fast AMG was usually seen

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Mercedes-Benz C 36 AMG (1993) - Cockpit of the fast sedan of the W 202 model series

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Mercedes-Benz C 36 AMG (1993) - two-tone steering wheel on the fastest C-Class

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Mercedes-Benz C 36 AMG (1993) - automatic selector lever wrapped in two colors of leather

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Mercedes-Benz C 36 AMG (1993) - Front sports seats

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Mercedes-Benz C 36 AMG (1993) - contoured rear seat for three people

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Mercedes-Benz C 36 AMG (1993) - Six-cylinder in-line engine, optimized by AMG

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Mercedes-Benz C 36 AMG (1993) - with square twin exhaust

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Mercedes-Benz C 36 AMG (1993) - over 400 liters of trunk space

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Mercedes-Benz C 36 AMG (1993) - square exhaust tips

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Mercedes-Benz C 36 AMG (1993) - front on 225/45 ZR 17 tires on 7.5-inch wheels

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Mercedes-Benz C 43 AMG (1997) - the most powerful version of the W 202 model series differed externally with different add-on parts and wheel rims

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Mercedes-Benz C 43 AMG (1997) - V8 saloon from the W 202 model series cornering at speed

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Mercedes-Benz C 43 AMG (1997) - V8 saloon from the W 202 model series

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Mercedes-Benz C 43 AMG Estate (1997) - early photo of the V8 estate from the W 202 model series

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Mercedes-Benz C 43 AMG Estate (2000) - the dimensions of the estate and saloon from the W 202 model series did not differ

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Mercedes-Benz C 43 AMG Estate (1997) - rarely chosen color red for the V8 station wagon of the W 202 model series

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Mercedes-Benz C 43 AMG Estate (1997) - could also be delivered without the AMG badge

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Mercedes-Benz C 43 AMG Estate (2000) - fast V8 estate car from the W 202 model series cornering at speed

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Mercedes-Benz C 43 AMG Estate (2000) - only a few other cars were able to keep up with the fast V8 station wagon

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Mercedes-Benz C 43 AMG T-Model (2000) - built for winding country roads

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Mercedes-Benz C 43 AMG Estate (2000) - frequently chosen metallic silver as the color scheme

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Mercedes-Benz C 43 AMG Estate (2000) - Rear view of the V8 estate from the W 202 model series

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Mercedes-Benz C 55 AMG (1997) - supercharged V8 engine with a displacement of 5.5 liters and 354 hp for a substantial surcharge

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Mercedes-Benz C 280 (1997) - in the crash test

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Mercedes-Benz C 280 (1996) - Radio key for the W 202 model series (and other model series)

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Mercedes-Benz C 280 (1996) - Cockpit of the "Sport" line

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Mercedes-Benz C 280 (1996) - Interior of the W 202 model series (here in the "Sport" version)

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Mercedes-Benz C 280 (1996) - white instruments

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Mercedes-Benz C 200 Kompressor (2007) - W 204 model series, followed by the predecessor model series W 203, W 202 and W 201

You have only

1 out of 43

images seen in high resolution

Summary

Anyone who heard it was reminded of the American "muscle cars" of the late 1960s, but otherwise the Mercedes-Benz C 43 AMG remained true to its German virtues. It was a wolf in sheep's clothing that hardly anyone recognized for its 300 hp and sports car-like performance. This vehicle report tells the story of the Mercedes-Benz C 43 and shows it in current and historical pictures as well as in the sales brochure from back then.

This article contains the following chapters

The W202 model series
A new top-of-the-range model
Metamorphosis (from the C 36 to the C 43)
Quite expensive
Compact steam hammer
Just under three years

Estimated reading time: 8min

Preview (beginning of the article)

The Americans bought around a third of the total production and, of course, the sound of the Mercedes-Benz C43 of the W202 series, which was only built for just under three years, suited their preferences well; after all, "Car & Driver" had written that the "soundtrack" was reminiscent of classic "Detroit V8 muscle cars". But the C43 also found many friends in this country, not least because it was also available as a station wagon. In May 1993, Mercedes-Benz presented the successor series to the "Baby Benz", the 190 (W 201), after the press had already been informed in February. Visually, the new model series was reminiscent of the S-Class (W 140), but was significantly lighter and slimmer. In fact, the wheelbase increased by five centimetres to 271.5 cm compared to its predecessor, while the exterior dimensions of the entry-level Mercedes grew by four centimetres in length and three in width. With a length of 449 cm and a width of 172 cm, the W 202 lived up to its designation "C" (for compact).

Welcome to Zwischengas!

Continue reading this article for free?

Images of this article

Source: