Performance Review: Mercedes C Class 43 AMG - [1997]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Mercedes C Class Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Mercedes C Class 43 AMG is the 5 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 1997. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1997 TVR Speed 12 7.7L V12 and the 1997 McLaren F1 GT 6.1 V12.This particular Mercedes C Class has a 4266cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The C Class shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the C Class's Rear Wheel Drive, Saloon combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1570 kgs (3461 lbs) this makes the Mercedes C Class 43 AMG in the same weight category as the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Stradale 4.0 V8 Hybrid or the give or take 50kg.

The Mercedes C Class shares the same bhp with the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp)

In terms of power the 4266cc 24V V8 engine produces 302 bhp (225 kW) @ 5850 rpm similar to the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp) or the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (300 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 302 lb-ft (409.4 Nm) @ 3250 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (295 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (310 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Mercedes C Class you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1998 Subaru Impreza WRX STI - Classic 22B (217.3 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Mercedes C Class.

The Mercedes C Class has a Power to weight ratio of 192.3 bhp per ton and 192.3 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1997 C Class competing with the 1998 Subaru Impreza WRX STI - Classic 22B (217.3 bhp per ton) or the 1998 Mazda RX7 RZ (217.3 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Mercedes C Class generating around 192.3 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1968 Holden Monaro GTS 327 5.4 V8 (217.3 lb-ft per ton) or the 2009 Mercedes S Class 63 L AMG (217.2 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.40 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.6 secs, this made the Mercedes C Class 43 AMG as fast as the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (6.40 secs) the 2016 Ford Fiesta ST 200 1.6 Turbo (6.40 secs) the 2012 Subaru Forester STi tS 2.5L Turbo (6.40 secs) the or the 2011 Honda Civic 2.0i 16v VTEC Type R - FN2 (6.40 secs). This Mercedes C Class 43 AMG is also faster than the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (6.50 secs) the 2018 Abarth 595 Competizione 1.4 Turbo (6.50 secs) the 2016 Subaru Legacy 3.6 R (6.50 secs) the and the 2016 Abarth 124 Spider 1.4 Turbo (6.50 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the C Class and the 2009 Audi A5 S5 3.0 Quattro Cabriolet

When talking about the performance of the Mercedes C Class on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.31 secs @ 95.6 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2009 Audi A5 S5 3.0 Quattro Cabriolet (14.25 secs), the 1967 Dodge Dart GTS Hardtop 6.3 V8 383 (14.25 secs), and the 1970 Ford Falcon 4th Gen 351 V8 4-speed (14.26 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1997 version of the Mercedes C Class 43 AMG has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 1997 C Class equals the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1997 Mercedes C Class 43 AMG then how about the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph), the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (166 mph), or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 5.0 V8 (166 mph).

Related Links:

1997 C Class Rivals List.

A Brief History of Mercedes

Car Comparison