The Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG was a high performance variant of the W202 C-Class that debuted for the 1998 model year. While both a Sedan and a Wagon (Estate) version were built, only the sedan was sold in North America. The C 43 featured a range of upgrades over standard models, such as improved suspension and brakes. The most notable upgrade was the AMG M113 E43 powerplant. This 4.3L V8 engine generated 302hp and 302 lb ft of torque which it sent to the rear wheels via an AMG-tuned 5 speed automatic transmission. Production of the W202 C43 AMG ended in 2000, with just 4,200 examples built.