2017 Mercedes-Benz E43 AMG is tomorrow's luxury sedan with more muscle

Mercedes' new "mid-sports" E43 AMG picks up where the E300 leaves off and before the E63 begins.

Visual changes include a "diamond point" grille and a more aggressive lower fascia.

The rear end gets dual exhaust finishers, a subtle rear diffuser and a trunk lid spoiler.

The E43 still suffers from the same slightly saggy rump as other current Benz sedans.

The E43 weighs 4,145 pounds before options.

The nicest cabin in the midsize luxury sedan segment gets even richer with a few E43-specific sporting touches.

Benz says zero-to-60 mph arrives in 4.5 seconds, and top speed is capped at 155 mph.

The E43's trunk accommodates 13.1 cubic feet of cargo.

A closeup look at the E43's unique "diamond-point grille."

19-inch AMG alloys are standard, but this test car features optional 20s.

Disc brakes are 14.2-inch vented and crossdrilled units at all four corners, with four-piston calipers up front and single-piston calipers in the rear.

Machine-surfaced aluminum alloy wheels also feature gloss-black accents.