Mercedes-Benz has surpassed its target of 12 cars for 2016 with an early Christmas gift for its growing league of enthusiasts. The Mercedes C43 AMG is another performance focussed Mercedes aimed at the enthusiast buyer who wants an added dose of performance with the luxury of a premium sedan. While the Audi S4 would have been its ideal competitor, it still not yet available in its latest guise and what we have though is the Audi S5 Sportback. Also in the fray is the Ford Mustang thanks to its price tag and performance credentials. The C43 will set you back by Rs 74.3 lakh ex-showrrom Delhi while the Audi S5 is for Rs 66.2 lakh and the Ford Mustang for just Rs 65 lakh.
Audi S5
Both the Mercedes and the Audi get turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 petrol engines. The Mercedes develops 362bhp of power at 5500rpm and 520Nm of torque from 2000rpm.The engine is mated to a nine-speed automatic gearbox and 4MATIC AWD system that drives all four wheels. The S5’s mill pumps 328bhp of power at an identical 5500rpm and 440Nm of torque. The S5 gets Quattro all-wheel drive to transfer all the power more effectively to the tarmac through a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox.
Both the Germans take 4.7 seconds for the 0-100kmph sprint in the straight line. The Audi S5 is a four-door sedan like the C43 AMG but scores in the looks department especially with the Sportback sloping roofline. It is slightly bigger in size which means more space inside the car. In terms of comfort, both are performance saloons and hence loaded with all the creature comforts that can be offered. You get separate zone climate control, electric panoramic sunroof, power seats, power mirrors, cruise control et al.
Ford Mustang
The Ford Mustang gets bragging rights thanks to its huge 5.0-litre V8 motor that powers the rear wheels through a six-speed slush-box. It develops 396bhp of power and 515Nm of torque. It is more powerful than the Mercedes, but the three-pointed star with its four-wheel drive and focus on driving dynamics will certainly be the better handler of the two. Also, the Mercedes C43 will seat all its five occupants in luxury while the mustang is best suited only for two. The Mercedes has more features and creature comforts than the Mustang. On the other hand, the Mustang is more fun with its burnout-modes and brand image while the Mercedes is more of a sleeper – a car with no tell-tale signs of the performance it backs under those sinister looks.
