Mercedes' 43 3.0 Is The Best-Sounding Current V6 And You Can't Convince Me Otherwise

The twin-turbo six-cylinder engine in the Mercedes-AMG C43 is probably the sweetest-sounding V6 out there, we reckon
Mercedes' 43 3.0 Is The Best-Sounding Current V6 And You Can't Convince Me Otherwise

Of all engine configurations, it’s probably the V6 which stands the best chance of disappointing. Why not the inline-four? Well, expectations are never high with a four-pot, but switch the cylinder count up to six, and you’ll inevitably anticipate a jolly nice din emanating from under the bonnet.

More often than not, it doesn’t work out that way. There are countless dull, droning V6s out there, and even in performance applications, the potential for disappointment doesn’t go away. Just take the Nissan 370Z as an example. The Audi/Porsche 2.9-litre twin-turbo engine meanwhile is impressive in most areas, but it’s weirdly quiet in cars like the Panamera and Macan. It’s not much more exciting in the noise stakes in Audi applications like the RS5, either.

It hasn’t been available for a while, but I’ll never forget how underwhelmed I felt when I first put my foot down in the Vauxhall Insignia VXR. On paper it sounded great, but in reality, the car’s GM ‘High Feature’ engine was tragically dull.

The V6-powered RS5 doesn't make anything like as nice a noise as the Mercedes-AMG C43
The V6-powered RS5 doesn't make anything like as nice a noise as the…

On the UK market, there are some exceptions, one of which will hopefully be Aston Martin’s all-new V6, which will power the Valhalla hypercar. But which of the current crop is the most pleasant to the ear?

I reckon it comes down to two: Alfa Romeo’s 2.9, and the 3.0-litre M276 used in most of Mercedes-AMG’s ‘43 range of cars. From a technical standpoint, the Alfa engine wins by a country mile. It’s much more powerful, it’s revvier, and there are the Ferrari origins to consider (Ferrari nor Alfa Romeo has confirmed the link, but the world knows otherwise).

The M276 is a much older engine than the Alfa lump. Mercedes may have given it a few updates over its life (the current version is referred to as ‘DE30’), but it’s been kicking around in one form or another for nine years. With the more efficient M256 inline-six making its way through the range, it’s surely not long for this world.

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But, with some astute exhaust tuning, Mercedes-AMG has managed to give the old dog a new voice. A very pleasant one at that, which is just a little sweeter than the more aggressive note belted about by the Alfa Giulia and Stelvio Quadrifoglios.

As I’ve found with the C43 Estate we’re running as a long-term test car, there’s just the right about of rasp, a decent but not ridiculous volume level, and some wicked ‘thwack’ sounds on each upshift.

As far as modern, stock V6s still sold on these shores go, I think its soundtrack is unbeatable.

Go on: try and convince me otherwise…

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Comments

Bijoy_9003

Alfa Romeo’s current ferrari made v6 and of course a 17’gt would make point for itself with a exhaust upgrade as shown in shmee’s latest vid on his gt

08/17/2019 - 16:01 |
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It wasn’t aftermarket btw, the Akrapovic Titanium Exhaust is an option on the GT, he just didnt get it when he ordered his (regulations?)

08/18/2019 - 05:46 |
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VT3CYO

I know it’s a flat 6, but I would by far say that the GT3 RS is the best.

08/17/2019 - 16:02 |
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ferrarman11

I really don’t know how you can call the 370Z’s noise “dull”. Every person I have met thinks it’s the complete opposite. The VQ37 is up there with the best sounding V6’s (i.e F-Type, VR6, etc) I’m sorry if it sounds harsh but I seriously don’t know how someone can call the sound of a VQ37 “dull”. Go listen to a video of one with a simple muffler delete and test pipes and trust me you will need new underwear

08/17/2019 - 16:36 |
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I’m talking about stock, though - making a V6 sound nice using aftermarket pipes is not that hard. Doing it well from the factory is a rarely achieved feat

08/17/2019 - 21:09 |
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PorscheBoi996

Ford GT with the Factory Titanium Exhaust

08/17/2019 - 16:36 |
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Man the Second Gen GT doesn’t get alot of love does it :P

08/18/2019 - 05:44 |
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Stefan 9

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TeyLCDumxk I fell in love with this sound during GRID 2. Luckly I can get something simillar if I play right with the throtle in my humble Megane 265 as I can’t ever dream of having a 722.

08/17/2019 - 16:52 |
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Anonymous

It sounds good but its definatly not the best out there. Also its pretty gutless if you ask me doesnt fell like it has the advertised horsepower my skoda with 245hp feels the same powerwise

08/17/2019 - 19:24 |
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Anonymous

The alfa romeo giulia quadrifoglio has the best sounding V6

08/17/2019 - 20:18 |
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Anonymous

I have one and love it. It sounds even better after a remap; the pop and bangs get more aggressive on downhifts. It’s a beautiful, sonorous- raspy V6. Infinitely nicer than the older NA versions of the engine. Ps this one is called an M726 Dela 30.

08/17/2019 - 21:32 |
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Anonymous

Or the lotus exige 430 Cup?

08/17/2019 - 21:57 |
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Anonymous

Hi I’m not trying to convince you otherwise because I totally agree with you!
Mercedes ‘43 3.0 is the best-sounding current V6, NO DOUBT.
I would like to add a simple and interesting guide that I read a few years ago to fix the batteries, maybe it can be useful to someone. Here we are: http://bit.ly/2z7eC8G
Thank you!

08/18/2019 - 00:09 |
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