Mercedes-Benz AMG Sport to be AMG 43 models?

Is it the end of the road already for the new range of Mercedes-Benz AMG Sport models? According to a report by Car and Driver, the Stuttgart-based car maker could be on the verge of rebranding its existing models with a new nomenclature standard.

If accurate, models such as the C 450 AMG and GLE 450 AMG could become the Mercedes-AMG C 43 and AMG GLE 43. The speculated “43” nomenclature makes no reference to the models’ powerplants, as it once used to. However, it is believed that Mercedes-Benz would be keen to retain the designation’s alignment with the 4.0 litre biturbo V8-powered “63” range.

The publication doesn’t reveal a specific source for this newfound belief, but says that the recently-revealed AMG SLC 43 is a firm clue to note. The compact AMG roadster features the same 3.0 litre turbocharged V6 that also powers the C 450 and GLE 450 AMG Sport models.

Notably, there hasn’t been an AMG model that offered a six-cylinder engine for a very long time, but Car and Driver believes that the arrival of the AMG SLC 43 sets a new precedent for the performance brand. Unlike the 4.0 V8, for instance, this engine does not adhere to AMG’s one-man, one-engine philosophy.

Regardless, there’s no questioning the AMG Sport model’s capabilities to fill a role under the full-blown “63” range. Fitted with proper chassis upgrades and a 367 hp/520 Nm engine, these would do nicely as more approachable Mercedes-AMG models.

Originally, the AMG Sport range was launched to take on Audi’s S (S4, S6) and BMW’s M Performance (M235i, M550xd) line-ups, leaving the range-topping Mercedes-AMG sub-brand to rival the full-blown Audi RS and BMW M models. Now, it looks like the plan has changed. What do you think of this change, folks?

GALLERY: Mercedes-Benz C 450 AMG Sport

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