Test Drive Mercedes-AMG E43 bridges luxury and performance

The 2017 Mercedes-AMG E43 4MATIC sedan / Courtesy of Mercedes-Benz Korea

By Jhoo Dong-chan

Mercedes-AMG, the German premium carmaker's racing performance division, has widened its target customers by concentrating not only on performance-centered technologies but also on jack-of-all-trades models that are both luxurious and comfortable to drive.

Thanks to such efforts, its long rivalry with BMW’s M division seems to have finished in a landslide victory for it in Korea at least in terms of sales. The latest Mercedes-AMG, the E43 4MATIC mid-size performance sedan symbolizes the carmaker’s advancement in versatility that satisfies customer need for performance, luxury and comfort.

This reporter was offered a test drive of the Mercedes-AMG E43 4MATIC for two days, driving about 200 kilometers in the metropolitan area, including the expressway route to Incheon International Airport.

Although mounting a powerful 3.0-liter V6 bi-turbo gasoline engine that reaches 100 kilometers per hour in 4.6 seconds with its 401 horsepower, the model was extremely comfortable but fun to drive even at high speed. Mercedes-AMG’s latest all-time four-wheel drive system technology delivers an ideal front-to-rear weight ration of 31:69 at acceleration.

The Mercedes-AMG E43 4MATIC sedan offers four different drive modes _ eco, comfort, sport and sport+ _ under the AMG dynamic select system along with the 9G-Tronic transmission. Based on selected drive mode, the model delivers different engine response, gear-shifting timing, exhaust and steering wheel characteristics.

The sedan’s exhaust wasn’t as roaring as its V8 sister models, but still attracted a drive to stomp the acceleration pedal. The Mercedes-AMG E43 4MATIC’s DINAMICA D-cut steering wheel agile but stable cornering even at high speed.

The model’s adaptive bucket seats supported the driver’s back in accordance with the vehicle’s gravity pressure to help ease fatigue. This reporter drove the vehicle for several hours at high speed, but didn’t feel much.

The Mercedes-Benz’s latest large-size dashboard and center fascia continuously delivered vital drive information, but its heads-up display wasn’t adjustable in its display position on the windshield so this reporter couldn’t properly see it.

When in the eco or comfort mode, the model’s darting nature changed completely to become a perfect family car with the relaxed suspension and damper setting.

The 13-speaker Burmester super stereo system delivered clear and dynamic sound quality while the vehicle’s 64 ambient color options enhanced its luxury and cozy nature.

The Mercedes-AMG E43 4MATIC can travel 8.9 kilometers per liter while producing 197-grams per-kilometer of carbon dioxide.

The model is priced at 114 million won ($101,000).

“The Mercedes-AMG’s popularity has been very surprising,” a Mercedes-Benz Korea official said. “Mercedes-Benz Korea will continuously expand its AMG line to satisfy its booming popularity.”

Mercedes-AMG stands out

In Korea, Mercedes-AMG has enjoyed steady popularity since it first outnumbered its rival BMW M in sales in 2014. It sold 776 cars that year before reaching 1,688 cars in 2015 and 2,057 last year.

It is also certain that Mercedes-AMG will maintain its momentum this year since it sold 1,390 cars in the first half, up 18.3 percent from a year ago.

Thanks to its steady popularity, Mercedes-Benz Korea said it will open its first showroom exclusively for the Mercedes-AMG brand by the end of the year.

There are four Mercedes-AMG Performance Centers in Seoul and Busan, but they are at Mercedes-Benz dealerships. The automaker also plans to set up the world's first digital showroom as well as an exclusive one for the Mercedes-Maybach brand inside the showroom in the second half.

Mercedes-Maybach is the German carmaker's ultra-luxury edition of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, and Korea is its third largest sales market in the world.

According to the Korea Automobile Importers and Distributors Association, Monday, Mercedes-Benz Korea sold 37,723 cars in Korea during the first half of the year, up 54 percent from 2016.