C43 AMG

Infobox Automobile


name=Mercedes-Benz C 43 AMG
manufacturer=Mercedes-AMG
parent_company=Daimler-Benz
DaimlerChrysler AG (from 1998)
Daimler AG (from 2007)
production=1998–2000
predecessor=Mercedes-Benz C 36 AMG
assembly=Affalterbach, Germany
class=Sports sedan
layout=Front engine, rear-wheel drive
successor=Mercedes-Benz C 32 AMG

The Mercedes-Benz W202 C 43 AMG version – was introduced in late 1997 to replace the C 36 AMG. Unlike the C 36, which was in fact a "ready-to-sell" C 280 disassembled for tuning at the AMG factory, the C 43 was the first – commercialized in short series – AMG car to be completely assembled at the AMG plant in Affalterbach after the acquisition of AMG by Daimler-Benz in 1998.

The C 43 AMG can achieve a 0-100km/h (0-60mph) time in 5.8sec. for the saloon version and 6.1sec. for the estate. To achieve those performances the C 43 was the first C-Class to be equipped with a Mercedes-Benz V8 based engine.

Two versions were originally available : saloon (chassis W202.033) and estate also called T version (chassis W202.093). The overall body of the C 43 AMG estate version looks about the same as the C 36 – except for all front and rear bumpers as well as for the side body that have been totally re-designed to meet the new AMG body style.

Some differences have been reported between the 1998 and the 2000 version such as the ECU software on the 2000 version that seem to provide better gearbox performances and longer life to the gearbox. Also the 2000 release gives the possibility to up or down lift the steering wheel.

The car was manufactured for a little more than two years – from end 1997 to spring 2000 for a total of 4'200 units – ratio 20% estate – 80% saloon.

C 43 AMG original specifications

The C 43 is powered by a tuned version of the 4.3 liter M113 V8 engine originally found on the W210 E430 model. After modifications this engine delivers 302PS (225kW) at 5'850rpm, up to 410Nm(302 lb/ft) of torque at 3'250rpm-5'000rpm (taken at the crank) and up to 241EHP at 6'320rpm measured at the wheels. According to Mercedes-Benz, the car can reach 155MPH (249km/h), with electronic speed limitation and 181MPH (291km/h) without.

Transmission is an AMG-modified version of the five speed automatic gearbox found on 1998-2000 R129 SL 500. Main modifications were made in order to achieve a more crisper and better adapted gearbox to higher-rpm upshifts. Also the braking system has been taken from the W210 E 55 AMG.

Bloc engine (M113.944)

* 4.3 liter (4'266cm³) V8 longitudinal at 90° (made from aluminium alloy)
* Single overhead – lightweight camshaft (made from composite material)
* Cylinder with 89.9mm bore and 84mm stroke
* Two spark plugs per cylinder
* Three valves per cylinder – 2 intake 1 exhaust
* Wide air intake manifold with long magnesium intake tubes
* Large fuel injector
* 2x1 ACT timing distribution chain
* Compression ratio 10.0 : 1

Transmission (722.631)

* Manumatic gearbox with full automatic and manual speed selector positions
* 'Winter' and 'Standard' positions button ('Winter' starts in 2nd and upshifts more quickly when used as a full automatic gearbox. This reduces the risk of wheel-slip on slippery surfaces)
* 1st gear 3.59
* 2nd gear 2.19
* 3rd gear 1.41
* 4th gear 1.00
* 5th gear 0.83

Electronic fuel injection

* Bosch Motronic (ME 2.0) fuel injection system

Exhaust system

* Large exhaust system to increase flow area
* New muffler that minimise the exhaust gas back pressure
* Two catalytic converters near the engine and two underfloor (all made from ceramic material)

Body - suspensions & brakes

* Double independent wishbone suspensions in front with stabilizer bars
* Multi-link suspensions – five arms – AMG calibrated in the rear with stabilizer bars
* AMG-Bilstein shock absorbers
* Four channel 300mm ventilated discs brake at the front
* Four channel 289mm ventilated discs brake in the rear

Wheels

* Front : P225/45 ZR17"
* Rear : P245/40 ZR17"

Electronic assistance

* Bosch ESP – ABS and TCS

Optional equipments

* Xenon HID low beam headlights
* Blaupunkt navigation system with a ten cd changer
* Retractable side view mirrors
* Rain sensor
* Designo interior
* Electric rear window sun shade

C 43 AMG upgraded specifications (W202 C 55)

(thanks to Axel's report)

Next to the release of the C 32 introduced in spring 2001 – AMG presented his C 43 upgrade program (W202 C 55) to bring existing C 43 with a 5.5 liter V8 engine that deliver 347PS (255kW) at 5'500rpm (nominal output in accordance with 88/195 EC) and up to 510Nm of torque starting at 3'000rpm-4'300rpm (6'000rpm max). The W202 C 55 AMG is also known as an "AMG Specials".

The upgrade also includes a complete new gearbox and overall transmission. The updated instrument cluster bears the AMG logo and a 300km/h scale card. The upgrade was about €30'000.-.

Bloc engine (M113.983)

* 5.4 liter (5'439cm³) V8 longitudinal at 90° (made from aluminium alloy)
* Cylinder head, crankcase and cylinder head gasket : taken from the 5.0 litre M113.961 engine
* Crankshaft, pistons and connecting rods : new components manufactured by AMG
* Re-designed camshafts with cams specially designed for the engine
* Valves seats : taken from the engine M113.961

Transmission (722.636)

* Five speed Speedshift transmission : gearbox taken from the Mercedes-Benz W208 CLK 55

Electronic fuel injection

* New controller (Bosch HMS 7.0) with modified data settings for extra power output and optimum exhaust emissions

Exhaust system

* Except a new middle and tail silencer – the upgraded C 43 uses the same exhaust system as the original model

Rear axle general

* New rear axle centrepiece : i=2.82 with new driveshaft
* New rear axle wheel flange
* New propeller shaft with 4-arm flanges – PCD=110mm

Floorpan

* The floorpan of the upgraded C 43 (under the rear seats) had to be modified in order to accommodate the larger rear axle centrepiece

References

* http://www.mercedes-amg.com/
* http://www.autoweb.com.au/cms/A_50360/title_Mercedes%20and%20AMG%20-%20Performance%20Partners/newsarticle.html
* http://www.mbusa.com/index.do
* http://www.bosch.de
* http://www.topgear.com/drives/C7/K1/roadtests/11/01.html
* http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_W202
* http://www.kleemann.dk