Spec Comparo: Mercedes-AMG C43 Vs Audi S5 Sportback

Mercedes’s AMG line up is evolving to include machines that are less extreme and more enjoyable as daily drivers,the C43 is another step in that direction.. Now that the Mercedes AMG C43 is here, it looks set to rival the S5 Sportback from Audi. We take a look at the specs to see what the AMG brings to the table.

1. Design

Audi cars are some of the best looking in the automotive world and the S5 Sportback is no exception. The C43 looks almost identical to the regular C-Class but the AMG bits like the body kit and AMG wheels help it stand out. However, the devil is in the details, or in this case, the dimensions. Here is a chart that shows the differences between the two cars.

In every dimension parameter save height, the Mercedes-AMG C43 has Audi S5 Sportback's measure. If we even talk about the height for a minute, which favours the Audi, there should be more headroom in the C43. In theory, the extra dimensions should help the C43 provide more room to its occupants than the S5 Sportback. However, its weight is on the higher side, something that could work in the Audi’s favour.

2. Heart

Both vehicles use V6 engines, which used to be V8 engines until the downsizing trend forcing the two companies to get rid of two cylinders from their respective V8s and turn them into V6s. However, despite being similar in capacity and configuration, the two engines are poles apart. Here's how the two cars compare against each other in this regard:

While the C43 benefits from all-wheel drive, so does the S5 Sportback. However, the Mercedes is more powerful and more torquey than the Audi; and despite being heavier, on paper, it is also three-tenths of a second faster. However, being fast in a straight line is one thing. With the C43 offering a bit more bias to the rear axle e  how it behaves in corners will be interesting indeed.

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3. Features

Both cars have a lot of features packed in to ensure those who cross-shop the two are hard-pressed to prefer one over the other. We do not know for sure which features make it to the C43 coming to India but we can make safe guesses. Among the features that should make it to India on the C43 are LED headlights with daytime running lamps, dual front airbags along with side, curtain and front (driver and passenger) knee airbags, selectable driving modes, heads-up display, rain-sensing wipers, lip spoiler on the bonnet, automatic climate control A/c, heated front seats, Mercedes COMAND system, reverse parking camera with sensors, cruise control, electronic parking brake, and adjustable steering wheel.

The S5 Sportback from Audi comes equipped with active differential, adaptive suspension automatic dual-zone climate control, cruise control, MMI infotainment system, B&O sound system, rain-sensing wipers, cornering lamps, height-adjustable front seats, selectable driving modes and reverse parking camera and sensors.

While we haven’t driven it yet, the C43 looks set to offer a sporty driving experience as expected from AMG but it won’t demand the reflexes of a race-car driver when driven fast. Also, it should prove to be a lot easier to live with as compared to the full-blown C63 AMG.  Although, we wont be surprised to see the more powerful and more striking Mercedes AMG come in at a slight premium, the Audi S5’s Rs 66.2 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) price tag sets expectations.

It will make for exciting times when we get to pit the Mercedes-AMG C43 and Audi S5 Sportback against each other on the road. Till then, this is it when it comes to comparing the two cars against each other. Stay tuned to ZigWheels for more.