MERCEDES-AMG 43

What started out as a performance arm sub-brand has rapidly morphed into a substantial entity on its own, with a roster that dwarfs some mass-market brand line-ups. The heart of the AMG 43 line is the 3,0-litre V6 biturbo engine and we got to play with a selection of models thus powered at Mercedes-benz South Africa’s Zwartkops high-performance driver training centre. Afterwards, the smiles were as broad as the rubber being laid down. For, besides building undeniably swift cars, AMG seems to have cornered the market on evocative engine notes; inspirational for the driver, enviable to those within earshot. Also, the standard all-wheel-drive and suspension technology derived from the AMG C 63 add up to an ability to hustle around a race track like a thoroughbred.

You can get your 43 in a range of body shapes from sedan to SUV to roadster.

The 270 kw/520 N.m is channelled to all four wheels (except on the SLC 43) via AMG Performance 4MATIC all-wheel drive. Power is distributed 31:69 front to rear for sporty driving dynamics and improved traction when accelerating. All models have 9G-TRONIC sports transmission as standard, as well as AMG adaptive Sports Suspension based on Mercedes’ Air Body Control. But this is no mere tartedup drivetrain: it’s a fully realised and optimised philosophy with which everything is aligned.

Price: from R858 400