1998 Mercedes Benz C43...continued

AMG was created in 1967 by a former MB employee, and while it concentrates on producing special customer car modifications, AMG was chosen by the company to develop special racing versions. After some forays into sedan racing during the seventies, they graduated to the endurance events, and a stream of successes are highlighted by the exotic V12-powered CLK-GTR that won the 1997 FIA GT championship.

Finally MB saw the benefits of creating more formal ties with AMG, and started selling limited numbers of their vehicles through official outlets. They copied the American hot rod technique of sliding the biggest engine that would fit into the smallest body. While there are mods available for the bigger and super luxury models, the best are the small sedans and sports cars that get the special AMG blessing. Finally, we managed to get a few C36s here and now the C43. Basic C43 vehicles are produced in the MB Bremen plant, then shipped to AMG in Affalterbach for the special bits.

Developed to be "more car without more cost," the C-Class sedans are making a strong value statement for Mercedes-Benz. The German automaker has been working hard to reduce its overhead costs and to improve production efficiency.

In addition to the 1994 "North American Car of The Year" award, the C-Class models have garnered many other honors since their introduction. The C220 model received the "Best Overall Value" award from the Intellichoice Complete Car Cost Guide for the "Luxury Cars under $40,000" category in 1994; the C280 won the same honor last year.

The C43 adds a remote-entry system and a new instrument cluster, similar in design to that used in the new E-Class, but with elegant black-on-white faced instruments. Rocker switches and the climate control panel have also been changed to the new type introduced in the E-Class. Controls for the sound system have been redesigned to coordinate with the new climate control panel. Genuine burl walnut trim generously featured in the C43, replaces more modest wood trim in the C220 and C280.