Mercedes-AMG GT43 X290: the straight-six uncovered, the exhaust system guide

The 3.0 turbo straight-six: balance at the heart of the GT43

The GT43 X290 is built around a layout enthusiasts love: the straight-six. With 3.0 liters and turbocharging, it produces 367 hp and 500 Nm, with torque available very early. Its layout gives it a natural balance that translates into very smooth running, and the 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive puts its power down efficiently.

A straight-six naturally has a fine voice, but the factory exhaust on the GT43 is designed so that you do not hear it: it smooths everything out. The valved Rog exhaust lets through the characteristic tone of this layout, smooth and silky, which hardens under acceleration. Then, depending on the road, you choose to let it sing or to return to factory serenity.

How the exhaust on your Mercedes-AMG GT43 X290 inline-six turbo is put together

An exhaust system is best understood in two parts. Here is what each one does, and what Rog replaces.

Your Mercedes-AMG GT43 X290 inline-six turbo in figures

What an exhaust changes straight away is the sound, the engine's breathing and the weight at the rear. For more power, add an ECU remap.

Published factory figures.

With or without an ECU remap, the exhaust fits and works. But it is an ECU remap at an approved tuning center that truly unleashes your Mercedes-AMG GT43 X290 inline-six turbo, and that is what we recommend.

Configuring your exhaust, step by step

4 choices, in the same order as the product page configurator.

1. 1

   Step 1 of 4: Material: stainless steel or titanium

   Titanium costs more than stainless steel; the price of each version is shown on the product page, in your currency.

   304 stainless steel

   Weight

   Baseline

   Sound

   Full and rounded

   Durable, corrosion-resistant, with a rounded, full sound: the most popular option.

   Titanium

   Weight

   Around 40% lighter

   Sound

   Metallic, crystal-clear

   For the same design, it weighs around 40% less than stainless steel. A more metallic note at high revs and a look all of its own, from brushed to blued.

   Both materials age well: 304 stainless steel copes with winter and salt, and titanium does not rust. Stainless steel or titanium: what really changes.

2. 2

   Step 2 of 4: Front section: downpipe and catalytic converter

   Optional: the downpipe on your Mercedes-AMG GT43 X290 inline-six turbo, with its catalytic converter. Sound rating out of 10, valves open: the factory exhaust sits at 3.

   Cat-back only

   Included

   7/10

   Factory emissions control

   Nothing changes at the front: the cat-back alone is already enough to change the car.

   200-cell sports catalytic converter

   8/10

   Road use and inspection

   The everyday compromise: emissions control is still there, and breathing improves noticeably.

   100-cell sports catalytic converter

   9/10

   Inspection: depends on local rules

   One step further: more flow, a more aggressive sound, reduced emissions control.

   Decat

   10/10

   Track use

   Everything unleashed: maximum flow and unrestrained sound, for the track.

   Sound intensity, on a scale of 0 to 10

   1. 10/10Decat downpipe + Rog cat-back
   2. 9/10100-cell sports catalytic converter + Rog cat-back
   3. 8/10200-cell sports catalytic converter + Rog cat-back
   4. 7/10Rog cat-back only, factory catalytic converter retained
   5. 3/10Factory exhaust, for comparison

   Valves open. With the valves closed, every configuration becomes discreet again.

   What about the engine warning light? With a sports cat, it can come on with some engines: the sensor placed after the catalytic converter measures a different level of emissions control from the original. It is not a mechanical failure, but a warning light should never be masked or cleared without dealing with its cause: the right answer is a catalytic converter suited to the engine, with a map by a tuner who takes it into account. The decat version, for track use only, almost always triggers it. If this happens to you, write to us and we will point you in the right direction. Passing vehicle inspection with a sports exhaust.

3. 3

   Step 3 of 4: Valves: Rog remote or factory control

   Two ways to control the valves on your Mercedes-AMG GT43 X290 inline-six turbo.

   Rog remote

   

   The simplest solution: a control unit in the trunk and a remote, open or closed at the press of a button, whatever mode you are in. A question while fitting? We will get back to you.

   Factory control

   • Only for vehicles fitted with factory valves
   • Controlled by the drive modes

   Does your vehicle have factory valves? The exhaust keeps their existing control: the drive modes operate the valves, as before, with no added electronics.

   On a long journey, what matters is the absence of drone at a steady speed. With the valves closed, the exhaust keeps the cabin calm; the show is still there whenever you ask for it. More about exhaust drone.

4. 4

   Step 4 of 4: Tips: the visual signature

   Match the tips to the style of your Mercedes-AMG GT43 X290 inline-six turbo, understated or bold. A particular finish in mind? Send us a photo and we will look at it together.

   • Chrome
   • Gloss black
   • Blued titanium

   

The Rog sound signature on the GT43's straight-six

The straight-six produces a fluid note, free of unwanted vibration, which gains a rougher edge as soon as you call on the turbo. In the standard GT43, this progression is smoothed over: the car accelerates vigorously, but the soundtrack stays flat, out of step with its looks.

With the valves open, the Rog exhaust lets the straight-six sing from start to finish, from a muted idle to crisp climbs through the revs. With the valves closed, the GT43 regains the discretion of a luxury tourer, perfect for piling on the miles in peace.

From order to fitting

1. Configuration

   You choose the options for your Mercedes-AMG GT43 X290 inline-six turbo and enter its VIN, found in box E of the registration document or at the base of the windshield.

2. Check

   We confirm compatibility with your car before we build it.

3. Manufacturing

   Made to order, for your Mercedes-AMG GT43 X290 inline-six turbo.

4. Delivery

   Free, insured delivery, with tracking sent on dispatch.

5. Fitting

   Clamps and gaskets, no welding: two hours on average at the garage of your choice.

20 working days from order confirmation to delivery

Warranty

3 years, parts and workmanship, from the date of purchase

Payment

Card, PayPal or bank transfer

Installation

At the garage of your choice

What about the manufacturer's warranty? In Europe, fitting a part from another brand is not enough on its own to void it; the manufacturer has to prove the link between that part and the fault. Our article on the manufacturer's warranty.

Our recommendations for your Mercedes-AMG GT43 X290 inline-six turbo

• Daily driving

  • Stainless
  • Cat-back only
  • Rog remote

  Your Mercedes-AMG GT43 X290 inline-six turbo stays easy to live with, the factory emissions control is retained, and you open the valves when you decide.

  View this configuration

• Fast road

  • Titanium
  • 200-cell downpipe
  • ECU remap

  For great roads: more voice and more response, while staying road-friendly.

  View this configuration

• Track

  • Titanium
  • Decat downpipe
  • Stage 2

  The most extreme configuration, for track use only.

  View this configuration

These profiles are starting points. The right choice is often made in a few messages.

Mercedes-AMG GT43 X290 inline-six turbo: your questions

Further reading

• All Mercedes-AMG exhaust systems
• Mercedes-AMG GT63 / GT63 S X290 4.0 V8 biturbo
• Mercedes-Benz CLS450 C257 3.0 inline-six turbo 4MATIC
• Mercedes-AMG CLS53 C257 3.0 inline-six M256 4MATIC+
• Stage 2: the role of the downpipe
• How to pass vehicle inspection with a modified exhaust
• Pop & Bang: how it works, and is it risky?
• The 28 brands we cover