2021 Mercedes-AMG GT 43 — New lower priced AMG delights



By Jim Prueter
MotorwayAmerica.com

(November 18, 2021) The Mercedes-AMG GT 43 is the newest member to join the AMG performance division of the Bavarian automaker, expanding the GT family appellation to three vehicles. The GT 43 is the least expensive of the four-door coupe trio with a starting price of $89,900, a significant $10,050 below the GT 53. The third offering is the ultra-high-performance GT 63 — and the 63 S variant — with starting prices at $140,600 and $161,900, respectively.

It’s worth mentioning that a luscious two-door two-seat AMG GT coupe is also offered, but it’s a completely different vehicle than the coupes mentioned above.

The GT 43 is also the tamest of the bunch, powered by a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six-cylinder engine that produces 362 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. It gets additional power from the EQ Boost, which adds 21 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque via an integrated starter generator and 48-volt battery.

A nine-speed AMG SPEEDSHIFT TCT automatic transmission delivers the power to an AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive system.

By comparison, the GT 53 pushes out 429 horsepower from the same silky-smooth, mild-hybrid 3.0-liter straight six. Still the GT 43 reaches 50 mph in 4.8 seconds, only 0.7 seconds behind the GT 53, according to the manufacturer. Top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph on both vehicles. It’s true, you don’t get the punch delivered by V-8 powered AMG vehicles, however these times are still quick for a four-seat family sedan.

Further, the GT 43 includes the same level of standard features as the more expensive GT 53, including AMG Dynamic Select driving modes with choices from “comfort” to “race”, AMG sports suspension, and silver painted six-piston front brake calipers and more.

Other standard equipment includes Burmester surround sound system, electronically deployable rear spoiler, as well as the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) Infotainment System, newly standard for model year 2021 GT 4-Door models. MBUX features a completely new user interface, learning-capable software, natural speech recognition (“Hey Mercedes”), and touchscreen capabilities.

As with all Mercedes vehicles, the GT 43 can be configured to individualized taste with a host of available options and packages. Our test GT 43 was no exception and came with extra cost equipment including Brilliant Blue Metallic exterior color, exclusive auburn brown/black Nappa leather upholstery trimmed with natural grain grey ash wood, an AMG performance steering wheel, again, in Nappa leather. Optional 21-inch AMG forged cross-spoke wheels, performance exhaust, fixed panorama roof, a black DINAMICA headliner, heated/cooled seats, surround-view camera and other options.

The optional Driver Assistance Package adds active distance assist distronics, active steering assist, lane change assist, automatic emergency stop, blind spot monitoring, evasive steering assist and more. Total optional equipment added up to over $17,000.

The GT 43 is a gorgeously styled automobile that looks like a stretched version of the GT and turned heads everywhere we drove, even before the growling performance exhaust was audible. It’s low, wide and muscular with a sloping rear roofline finished with a power operated hatch and massive grille that fits the vehicle perfectly.

Inside, the auburn brown leather interior on our tester was stunningly beautiful but heavily bolstered, non-adjustable bucket seats were tight and mostly comfortable for those who don’t sport a wider torso. The dashboard looks as though it was lifted directly from the E-class Mercedes sedan, however the lower dash is taken directly from the two-door GT sports car. Switchgear, as expected in Mercedes vehicles, is the best in the business — beautiful, tacit and feels expensive to the look and touch.

During our test driving, our GT 43 remained go-kart flat during handling maneuvers on paved twisty and hilly mountain roads, thanks to adaptive suspension engineering, with the car begging to eagerly take on anything put before it and more. The flat-bottomed steering wheel is thick, wrapped in suede and helped with the road testing. Handling is predictable, confident and impressive.

The ride is firm and won’t be for everyone. Because of its low profile, it isn’t particularly easy to enter and exit. Rear seat room and cargo space was better than expected and four passengers will comfortably endure longer rides.

Mercedes-AMG division continues to introduce some incredible performance vehicles. Priced around $90,000 — while still expensive — is getting more affordable with the GT 43. Remember, we said “more affordable” — not cheap but not outrageously priced either.

Overall, the GT 43 is absolutely delightful to the eyes, captivating to drive, delivering performance and exclusivity.

Vital Stats
Base Price: $89,900
Price as Tested: $107,995
Engine/Transmission: 3.0-liter 362-horsepower turbocharged inline mild-hybrid six-cylinder with EQ Boost, paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission and 4MATIC+ All-Wheel Drive.
Fuel Economy: 20/25/22 MPG – City/Highway/Combined
Seating: Four

Crash Test Ratings: The GT 43 has not been crash tested by either the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Where Built: Sindelfingen, Germany

Competes With:
Audi RS 7
BMW 840i sDrive Gran Coupe
Porsche Panamera 4

Fab Features:
Eye candy inside and out
Captivating to drive
State-of-the-art advanced driving assist features