Mercedes has for many years owned the effectiveness wagon section in the U.S. Intellect you, it really is a vanishingly modest piece of the sector. Amongst the demise of the achingly quixotic Cadillac CTS-V wagon in 2014�-hp supercharged V-eight below the hood, and 514 of them created with a 6-velocity handbook transmission𠅊nd this year’s start of the Audi RS 6 Avant, the Mercedes-AMG E 63 S wagon and Porsche Panamera Activity Turismo Turbo S have been the only gamers in the section.
About in Europe, even though, go-speedy wagon lovers are spoiled for selection. The midsize Mercedes-AMG C 63 and Audi RS four Avant offer together with their greater siblings. BMW enthusiasts can buy the 455-hp Alpina B3, dependent on the three Collection wagon. Mini delivers a 306-hp John Cooper Is effective model of the Clubman wagon, and Volkswagen a 296-hp Golfing R wagon. Hell, even Škoda is in on the act, its entrance-travel 245-hp Octavia vRS wagon equipped with 19-inch alloy wheels, an electric powered confined-slip diff, and accessible with a 6-velocity handbook transmission.
Of them all, the 2019 Mercedes-AMG C 43 4Matic wagon is most likely the Goldilocks possibility: brief and whole of AMG character, but not also massive and not also costly.
Europe’s C 43 4Matic wagon is mechanically similar to the a short while ago refreshed C 43 sedan that is component of the Mercedes lineup in the U.S. That indicates an AMG-massaged twin-turbo three.-liter V-six below the hood that develops 385 hp at six,100 rpm and 384 lb-ft of torque from two,500 rpm to five,000 rpm. The motor drives all 4 wheels via the 9-velocity AMG Speedshift TCT 9G transmission, with 69 p.c of the torque directed to the rear axle. AMG Trip Handle activity suspension is common, as are 18-inch alloy wheels with 225/45 tires up entrance, and 245/40 objects at the rear. Beauty updates involve a lot more aggressively styled AMG fascias entrance and rear, facet skirts, and 4 bazooka-sized exhaust pipes peeking out from below the rear bumper.
Price tag? In the U.S. the AMG E 63 S wagon is mentioned at $111,750, a 4 p.c top quality about the E 63 S sedan. Making use of the very same four p.c top quality to the AMG C 43 sedan’s value of $55,950 would recommend a theoretical U.S. sector value of about $58,200 for the wagon, or about $one,200 a lot more than Mercedes-Benz United states of america presently rates for the AMG GLC 43 activity ute.
If you like driving, it really is value the top quality. The all-wheel-travel C 43 4Matic wagon provides really a lot all the practicality of the GLC 43 SUV (which, let us confront it, no just one will truly get any additional off-street than the regional grocery store parking ton) with none of the dynamic compromises. Weighing 376 kilos considerably less than its SUV cousin, the C43 wagon will get to 60 mph with considerably less effort and hard work—it really is at the very least a tenth of a 2nd more rapidly𠅊nd, served by its decrease middle of gravity, feels a lot more agile and planted via the twisties. It rides greater, even on the optional 19-inch wheels equipped to our tester, and the decrease seating placement indicates lateral overall body motions are considerably less exaggerated. You will find a lot more oily precision in the steering, and the 4Matic all-wheel-travel technique presents you precisely the very same traction on snowy streets as the GLC 43.
The GLC 43 would make feeling if you definitely want an more three.two inches of floor clearance or have to haul about three.two cubic toes a lot more things. If you really don’t, the AMG C 43 4Matic wagon is way a lot more fulfilling to travel, a brief and relaxed cruiser that will devour the interstates still place a smile on your confront on a winding two-lane as you surf the growling twin-turbo V-6’s unwanted fat torque curve. And it appears cooler, also reduced slung and sleeker, with none of the fake-utilitarian style clichés automakers appear to be obliged to adhere on even the most street-oriented SUVs.
Perhaps, at the time we are bored with SUVs that are heavier and thirstier than they want to be, and considerably less helpful than they fake to be, The usa will slide in like with the wagon yet again. Let us hope so, mainly because that would open up the doorway to the U.S. sector for the engagingly speedy, supremely skilled, and fairly attainable Mercedes-AMG C 43 4Matic wagon, the athletics automobile for the modern-day household.