As Mercedes-AMG celebrated its golden anniversary of 50 years of sportscar production last year, this year in February, Mercedes-Benz Thailand introduced the first locally assembled Mercedes-AMG model—the C 43 4MATIC Coupé Local Production—in a move that doesn’t go unnoticed in the competitive high performance car market here.
Not only is the Mercedes-AMG C 43 4MATIC Coupé is first model of the brand produced in Thailand, it marks the world’s first Mercedes-AMG car produced outside Daimler AG’s plants. The unveiling of the unique model took place in Pattaya at the Bira International Circuit, the motor racing track named after Prince Birabongse Bhanudej of Siam who famously claimed the Coupe de Prince Rainier (now the Monaco Grand Prix) at the Circuit de Monaco as his first motor racing accolade. Exclusive media were invited to experience the speed, power and safety of the new model firsthand, as well as test drive a few other Mercedes-AMG’s just for kicks, under the supervision of Australian race champs.
The grand launch was also live-streamed for the first time through all of Mercedes-Benz Thailand’s online platforms—Youtube, Facebook and the Benz Thailand website itself—so that fans at home could also be a part of the big reveal in real time.
In terms of looks, the model iconically reflects the sports vehicle brand’s progressive nature. The engine cover with red aluminium insert parallels the strengths of the new twin-turbo V6 engine. Other notable features include the car’s long bonnet, wider body, sleek frameless doors, black exterior mirror housings, electric panoramic sliding glass sunroof, headlamps with LED Intelligent Light System and 19-inch light-alloy wheels in five twin spokes with run-flats—among many other cool things.
The interior is just as boast-worthy with Dinamica microfibre upholstery, the AMG Performance sports steering wheel, Burmester® surround sound system and MB Audio 20 system with controller and touchpad. But the real impression is made by the local production model’s technological innovations.
The C 43 4MATIC Coupé features standard-fit AMG Ride Control sports suspension to offer the optimum conditions for high driving dynamics and outstanding comfort on long journeys. Also, with the five AMG Dynamic Select transmission modes “Eco”, “Comfort”, “Sport”, “Sport Plus” and “Individual”, the driver can tailor the characteristics of the C 43 4MATIC Coupé to individual preferences at the tap of a finger.
The new 3.0-litre V6 twin-turbo engine is part of the BlueDIRECT engine family from Mercedes-Benz that improves on boost pressure, allowing for increased engine power output and torque. AMG developers also managed to substantially reduce the shift times of the 9G-TRONIC automatic transmission mode. The multiple downshift allows even faster bursts of speed. “Manual” mode can also be easily and safely enabled by pressing a button on the centre console.
The Mercedes-AMG C 43 4MATIC Coupé Local Production is the 12th addition to Mercedes-Benz Thailand’s range of Mercedes-AMG models, the rest of which—in case you’re wondering—includes:
Mercedes-AMG A 45 4MATIC
Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 4MATIC
Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 4MATIC
Mercedes-AMG C 63 S Coupé
Mercedes-AMG E 63 S 4MATIC
Mercedes-AMG SLC 43
Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 4MATIC Coupé
Mercedes-AMG GLE 43 4MATIC Coupé
Mercedes-AMG GT S
Mercedes-AMG GT R
Mercedes-AMG GT C
Mercedes-AMG C 43 4MATIC Coupé
With the latest addition, Mercedes Benz Thailand is ever more confident of its portfolio of high performance sports cars. Interested customers can contact any of Mercedes-AMG’s 11 authorized dealers nationwide for further details on any of the models or to book a test drive with experienced racers.
Visit mercedes-benz.co.th or keep updated with Mercedes socially at fb.com/mercedesbenzthailand.
