MERCEDES-AMG C-CLASS Models/Series Timeline, Specifications & Photos

Mercedes-AMG took the excellent 2.0-liter turbocharged powerplant developed for the A-Class, rotated it by 90 degrees, and installed it into the engine bay of the C-Class, thus resulting in a performance-oriented compact sedan: the C 43.

When the downsizing trend started, AMG was caught off-guard. In those times, it was focused on big powerplants with up to 7.3-liter displacement. But its engineers went back to the drawing board and made one of the best inline-four engines in the world: a 2.0-liter inline-four, which they planted into the A-Class hatchback and turned into a successful story. In 2022, they tried the same with the C-Class.

Unlike its non-AMG sibling from Mercedes-Benz, the C43 sported a much-more aggressive front fascia, with the Panamericana grille and the AMG-specific lower front apron, where the A-shaped lower grille flanked by a pair of air-intakes enhanced both the look and the car's aerodynamic. Furthermore, on the front fenders, the Turbo-electrified badges were an accurate statement of the technology comprised in the vehicle.

Inside, the sport bucket seats at the front covered in ARTICO man-made leather offered high bolstered areas that kept their occupants in place during high-speed cornering. Like its regular, non-AMG sibling, the C43 showed a two-screen dashboard, with one in front of the driver as an instrument panel and a touchscreen atop the center stack for the MBUX infotainment system. The three-spoke steering wheel with the flat-bottom area was thick and covered with Alcantara for better grip.

Under the hood, AMG installed the longitudinal version of the four-cylinder 2.0-liter powerplant developed for the A-Class. It was helped by an electric turbocharger, a technology developed for Formula 1. Power went in all corners via a nine-speed automatic gearbox.

Mercedes-AMG accelerated its way towards electrification and introduced the C63 S E Performance in both shapes, sedan and station wagon, in the autumn of 2022.

The path to electrification challenged the carmakers, resulting in more fuel-efficient vehicles. However, Mercedes-AMG had a different problem: it had to make them more powerful and faster. Since the former C63 was fitted with a mighty bi-turbo, V8, it was a difficult task. And yet, it managed to find a way.

The C63 S E Performance received a slightly different front fascia than its lesser-powered C43. It still features the same grille with vertical slats, but on the lower side of the bumper, there was a different grille with big side scoops, which were all functional. In addition, on the hood, the C63 S E Performance features an exhaust vent, which was never done before on a C-Class. For better road-holding, the front track was slightly enlarged, so the automaker had to install new fenders on which it added fake exhausts behind the wheel arches. Finally, AMG installed a new diffuser below the rear bumper and added a standard lip spoiler on top of the trunk.

Inside, AMG placed a new set of sports seats available in a few colors. Even though it offered an option for carbon-fiber trims on the dashboard and the center console, that was not provided for the seats. The steering wheel was fitted with two buttons on the lower side that adjusted the suspension and altered the drive programs from street to race.

But the big surprise was under the hood where, instead of a massive V8, there was a peepy turbocharged inline-four. Moreover, it was helped by a 205-hp electric mounted on top of the rear axle. The latter was fueled by a 6.1 kWh battery placed above it. The total output was sent in all corners by an AMG SPEEDSHIFT multi-plate clutch gearbox with nine speeds.

Mercedes-AMG introduced a facelift for the C43 lineup at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show and granted better performances for the premium German sedan.

After AMG became a separate brand and introduced new models, which Mercedes-Benz did not share, it continued working on the regular cars built by the three-pointed-star brand from Stuttgart. The C43 was just one good example.

The fourth generation of the C-Class started its career in 2014 and, four years later, it went through a mid-life cycle refresh. The AMG clothes sported the twin-louver design on the grille with the big star in the middle. Its front bumper featured a big grille at the bottom and two side scoops. The refreshed headlights, with smoked interior and a single LED line for the daytime running lights, were specific for the AMG lineup. In the back, the vehicle received new signature taillights with an LED C-letter inside. Under the bumper, AMG installed two round twin exhausts to complete the aggressive package.

Inside, the carmaker added more carbon-fiber trims on the center stack, door panels, and center console. At the front, the C43 featured high-bolstered bucket-seats clad in Artico man-made leather. The rear bench was profiled for two passengers. It was AMG's way to tell that it's a four-seat car, and the third rear passenger should be a kid, at most.

Under the hood, the 3.0-liter V-6 engine received 23 hp and reached a maximum of 390 hp. It was paired to a 9-speed automatic (dual-clutch) gearbox and sent the power to all corners via a rear-biased 4Matic all-wheel-drive system.

After Mercedes-Benz decided to make the AMG a different brand, it renamed all of its AMG-based vehicles, and the former C450 AMG became C43.

Mercedes-AMG had to increase its sales figures, and for that, it needed a vehicle with a lower price. But it didn't do that by just renaming a common version of the C-Class. It took the hard way and created a new vehicle. The C43 sat between the regular C-Class and the C63 AMG, and it tried to attain a balance between performance and price.

From the outside, there were specific design cues for the C43. At the front, it featured the specific "diamond" 3D grille with silver spots and a horizontal bar to support the three-pointed star in the middle. On the lower side, the grille was painted in silver. From the sides, it didn't feature the same flared arches as its more powerful brother. In the rear, the quad exhaust pipes were discretely masked next to the silver splitter. To complete the subtle design changes, AMG installed a lip-spoiler on the trunk-lid.

Inside, the AMG unleashed its imagination and created a sport-oriented cabin with sport-bucket seats at the front. It installed carbon-fiber trims, and sport-bucket seats enhanced the sporty look. The aluminum paddle-shifters behind the flat-bottom steering wheel completed the race-inspired elements.

Under the hood, AMG installed a 3.0-liter, twin-turbo engine. It was paired as standard to a newly developed 9-speed automatic gearbox and sent the power to all corners.

Based on the 2014 Mercedes-Benz C-Class (W205), the AMG C63 version was the top-performer of its range. It offered the highest power and the best technology to make a luxury car goes faster.

The C63 AMG was the most successful model of AMG vehicles. The second generation lost the naturally aspirated V8 in favor of a twin-turbo 4.0-liter engine. Unlike its rival, the M3, it was built to offer more comfort and a similar level of performance.

When compared with its siblings from the C-Class, it featured a more aggressive styling. The wide and short grille with the big badge supported by the twin-aluminum wings, the huge side-scoops in the front fender that left little room for the middle air-intake were all part of the game. The car had to look aggressive but, in the meantime, its aerodynamic was with a purpose. A chromed “V8 BITURBO” chromed badge was installed on each of the front fenders. The rear of the car featured a new design for the bumper and a diffuser, plus four chromed exhausts.

Inside there were sport-bucket seats for the front passengers and fitted with all the modern technology for the comfort of its occupants. The instrument cluster featured two round analog dials with a carbon-fiber background. Between the binocular look of the gauges, there was a small TFT display for the on-board computer. The rear seats were profiled for two passengers. A panoramic roof was offered as an option.

Under the hood, the C63 was offered in two versions: C63 and C63S. Both featured special suspension with adaptive dampers and the AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sports transmission. The dynamic engine mounts were fitted as standard on the more powerful C63S and offered as an option for the non-S version.