By Russ Heaps
Clanging Bell

(August 10, 2018) Every Mercedes-Benz showroom is packed full of a diverse assortment of high-end hardware prompted by the German carmaker's relentless obsession to create a model in every luxury nook and cranny. The 2018 Mercedes-Benz AMG E 43 I recently piloted for a week is just one example of that obsession.

One of four core grades of the E-Class sedan, it slots in between the 329-horsepower E 400 and the 603-hp AMG E 63 S. The 241-hp E 300 anchors the powertrain-based E-Class line-up.

With its 396-hp 3-liter twin-turbo V6 engine, the E 43, in its simplest form, rings the register at $72,595, including factory delivery charge. Add-ons, however, quickly elevate the bottom line. Every exterior color other than standard white or black drives up the cost. The Obsidian Black Metallic on my test Benz added $720. Some colors cost a lot more.

Upgrading from the standard leather upholstery to Nappa leather was another $2,990. Then there was the upgraded headliner at $1,600, the Burmester 3D surround-sound audio system for $4,550, and the $6,500 Premium 3 Package that included just about any safety/driver-assist system you might think of. All-wheel drive, or 4MATIC in Mercedes-speak, is standard. When the smoke cleared, my test E 43 rolled out the door for $97,460.

A 9-speed automatic transmission shifts for you or you can take advantage of the steering wheel-mounted shift paddles to make the gear changes yourself. A satisfying 384 lb-ft of torque arrives at 2,500 rpm, which provides some impressive giddy-up. Cock your head and listen hard for the warm burble of the exhaust when getting on the throttle. Expect the flight to 60 miles per hour from a standstill to require no more than 4.5 seconds on the way to an electronically limited top speed of 155 miles per hour. This isn't the quickest midsize sedan on the road, but liftoff when the light goes green is a heart-fluttering exercise in stately power.

Fuel economy is helped by both the 9-speed tranny and engine start/stop. Government estimates put mileage at 19 miles per gallon in the city and 25 mpg on the highway. This is good for 21 mpg in combined driving.

Dialing in some different drive modes through the AMG Dynamic Select somewhat changes the dynamics, but regardless, the standard air suspension does its Dr. Jekyl-Mr. Hyde transformation from expressway touring to tackling switchbacks without objection. Well balanced, the handling is confidence instilling. My test car had the optional $1,100 Acoustic Comfort Package with added sound-deadening materials and glass with acoustic membrane. Quiet? You bet.

Despite the trunk's cargo space and rear-seat legroom being a bit stingy, the cabin is otherwise spacious and quite comfy. Nary a corner seemed to have been cut in workmanship nor materials. “Elegant” best describes the styling of the instrument panel and center stack. Pliable Nappa leather covered most surfaces in my test E 43. Standard upholstery is black leatherette with red stitching. Overall, I'd be completely happy sitting in this car parked in my driveway smoking a cigar and sipping a glass of bourbon.

Every E-Class comes standard with a 12.3-inch central display, navigation system, Bluetooth connectivity and interface, wireless smartphone charging, and Burmester surround system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite-capable radio, HD radio and two USB ports. Standard safety/driver-assist systems include backup camera, active brake assist, crosswind assist, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive braking, rain-sensing wipers, blind-spot monitoring, driver-attention assist, active parking assist and Car-to-X communication that can send alerts to other vehicles.

Listing some of the technology requires circling back to the Premium 3 Package mentioned above, which includes congestion emergency braking, adaptive high-beam assist, LED intelligent light system headlamps, active distance assist, active blind-spot assist, brake assist with cross-traffic function, lane-keep assist, evasive steering, lane-change assist, speed-limit assist, surround-view monitor and more.

For the well heeled looking for a healthy dollop of performance with their luxury, the 2018 Mercedes-Benz AMG E 43 4MATIC should do the trick.