In the mid-2010s, a new wave of Mercedes-AMGs was swelling on the horizon. Mercedes had realized that its AMG brand had mass-market appeal and was ready to spread its high-dollar muscle-magic far and wide. Knowing it had tapped-out the market for its V8 skid machines, Mercedes introduced twin-turbo V6 engines and AWD for a more approachable range of AMGs. Born were the 2016 C450 AMG (renamed Mercedes-AMG C43 in 2017), 2017 GLC 43 and 2017 E43. AMG buyers could now have fun spring, summer, fall and winter without smashing their piggy banks to smithereens.
On American shores, the crest of the wave was the 2016 Mercedes-Benz C450 AMG. Priced from ~$52k, the C450 AMG fit between the luxurious Mercedes C300 and the road-burning Mercedes-AMG C63. Even though the C450 AMG used a mass-produced V6 rather than a handbuilt-unit assembled by AMG gurus, the twin-turbo V6 still put down a healthy 362 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque. The 4Matic AWD was tuned with a strong rear bias—67%—to give a more sporting feel, and the C63‘s front suspension and adjustable-stiffness shocks were stolen out of the parts bin. Yes, the C450 AMG was an appealing tweener.
(My test drive of the 2016 Mercedes-Benz C450 AMG is a short 30 minutes, but it’s on my home turf, where I’ll be able to immediately suss-out it’s character.)
Even before I fire up the engine, I’m impressed by this C450. Whoever picked the colors for this car had great taste; the white paint pairs exquisitely with the cranberry red seats and dark gray open-pore wood. Shiny metal switches and laser-cut Burmester speaker grates are the icing on this luxury cupcake. The C450 cabin was beautiful in 2016, and it’s still amazing in 2021! (My 2016 AMG GT S doesn’t have window switches or speaker grates that are this nice!)
After five years, some parts of the cabin are now dated or worn. The navigation screen is surrounded by a massive plastic bezel (modern screens have shrunk bezels to just millimeters), and its scroll wheel controller is bulky and clunky. The analog speedometer and tachometer are throwbacks (which I happen to like quite a lot!) as Mercedes has moved onto multi-function LCD displays. And the handsome open-pore wood, which looked so sharp and tasteful in 2016, is now dry and threatening to crack.
My favorite build option is the front seats. Mercedes offered slim and shapely sports seats for the 2016 C450 AMG, and—thank God—the original buyer passed on those hewed-from-stone torture devices and picked the standard seats instead. These plush thrones are highly adjustable, supremely comfortable, and road-trip-ready. They also have deep bolsters to hold you in place when the road gets twisty.
Buckled in and ready to go, I hit the streets. At first, the C450 feels soft in all dimensions. The seats are coddling, the suspension soaks up the bumps, and the engine lazily pulls me along the boulevards. This is the C450 in Comfort drive mode—smooth and a little bit sleepy.
Then I make it to a stretch of flowing curves. I put the C450 into Sport+ mode, the suspension stiffens, the exhaust turns angry and crackly, and the throttle response sharpens. I flat-foot it through the rev range and find a whiff of low RPM turbo lag followed by a glorious howl and shove beyond 3k RPM. I whiz past the houses but don’t dare to test the cornering limits in this urban environment. The C450 is quick—roughly as potent as a BMW 340i—but substantially less furious than the big-dog C63.
Entering a commercial district, I slow my roll and focus on the tactility of the C450’s steering. The EPAS steering delivers natural resistance, muted feedback, and measured rack speed; it’s not as fidgety as other sports sedans’ and seems tuned for a luxury feel (hushing most shocks and vibrations) and Autobahn stability.
I stop to pick up some birthday treats. With a box of cupcakes sitting on the passenger’s seat, I should behave myself…but I can’t resist a short blast through the North Berkeley tunnel! Again, I’m thoroughly tickled by the engine’s full-bodied honk at the higher reaches of the rev range. (The cupcakes emerge unscathed.)
My short drive is complete. I quite like what I’ve found! The C450 AMG is a luxury-first sports sedan with Mercedes polish and AMG (aural) theater. It doesn’t have the sphincter-pinching drama of the C63, but it brings winter-ready AMG fun to more people!
Mike's Steering Column 