New York show: Mercedes-AMG E43 here next year

MERCEDES-AMG will use this month’s New York motor show to reveal a potent bi-turbo V6 version of the forthcoming new-generation Mercedes-Benz E-Class, the E43 4Matic, in what is expected to be a two-pronged AMG assault on the luxury large car class.

While a full blown V8 E63 is likely to be on the way – possibly propelled by a version of AMG’s 375kW/700Nm 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 from the C63 and GT – power hungry Mercedes buyers will have to make do with a 295kW/520Nm twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 when the E43 hits showrooms in 2017.

Powered by the same V6 revealed in the Mercedes-AMG C43 Coupe during this year's Geneva motor show, the Affalterbach-based brand has upped power in the E43 by an additional 25kW thanks to larger turbos and a software tweak.

Mercedes-AMG has also coated the cylinder liners with a unique material derived from development of its Formula 1 V6 hybrid turbo engines to reduce friction and improve efficiency further.

Peak power comes on at 6100rpm while peak torque hits from 2500rpm, all delivered to all four wheels via a nine-speed 9G-Tronic automatic transmission and a 4Matic drivetrain with a rear-bias torque split of 31:69.

This combination can propel the 1765 kilogram executive sedan from zero to 100 kilometres an hour in just 4.6 seconds and on to an electrically limited top speed of 250km/h, all while returning fuel consumption figures of 8.3 litres per 100km.

While Australian pricing has not yet been confirmed for the E43 – or any of its incoming E-Class siblings – AMG’s latest is expected to sit between the full-fat E63, priced at $250,540 before on-road costs in its current guise, and the more sedate E400, currently priced at $129,040.

This could position the E43 against Audi’s 331kW/550Nm turbocharged V8 S7 ($179,510) and BMW’s barnstorming 412kW/680NM M5 Pure ($185,000).

While the new V6 AMG Merc is significantly down on power compared with its German rivals, its 0-100km/h time is a match to the Audi S7 and only 0.3 seconds slower than the Beemer.

To separate the E43 from its tamer siblings, Mercedes has redesigned the front bumper to include three large air intakes and cross fins to direct airflow straight into the coolers.

At the rear, chrome-plated quad tail-pipes flank a subtle silver chrome rear diffuser and the addition of a small, body-coloured bootlip spoiler give the E43 a more commanding road-presence.

Mercedes has also given the E43 19-inch five-spoke AMG wheels finished with high-gloss black accents.

Inside, the E43 gains a black roof liner alongside leather and microfibre sports seats with red highlight stitching, a motif which continues along the door trims, dashboard and flat-bottomed steering wheel, plus seatbelts coloured to match.

Behind the steering wheel sits a 4.5-inch multifunction colour display, able to display the vehicle instrumentation and different readouts including boost pressure and oil temperature.

Mercedes-AMG also offers five driving modes – Eco, Comfort, Sport, Sport Plus and Individual – with each adjusting engine response, cylinder deactivation, throttle reaction, aggressiveness of gear shifts, suspension and steering.

To save petrol in Eco mode, the engine can be decoupled from the powertrain when coasting between 60km/h and 160km/h.

In Individual mode, the 9G-Tronic transmission can be set to Eco, Comfort, Sport, Sport Plus or Manual modes, while the steering can be adjusted to Comfort or Sport and the suspension tuned for Comfort, Sport or Sport Plus.

The suspension setup for the E43 features a four-link front axle fitted with unique steering knuckles and load-bearing joints and a multi-link rear end. AMG has given the front axle race-style negative camber for more lateral grip in fast corners.

Stopping power comes courtesy of perforated front discs measuring 360mm with four-piston callipers, while the rear makes do with 360mm and single-piston callipers.

Mercedes-AMG CEO Tobias Moers said the new AMG E-Class would please its customers with cutting edge technology and engaging driving dynamics.

“The new E43 4matic offers impressive driving dynamics coupled with cutting-edge efficiency,” he said. “Twin-turbocharging, features adopted from motorsport and the characteristic AMG design immediately indicate to our customers that the new E-Class from AMG offers pure driving performance coupled with cutting-edge technology and intense emotion.”