Mercedes keeps making its performance models more and more extreme than the “standard” AMG models. Which could, be why we haven't seen any of those lately. But not everybody wants something that extreme. Hence the 43 line. Mercedes-AMG offers nine such models in the US market including the SLC43 roadster, GLC43 crossover, and C43 sedan, coupe, and cabriolet. The E43 sedan, GLE43 Coupe, and GLC43 Coupe are all launching over the course of the next few months along with the conventional GLE43 crossover that is now joining the lineup. The 43 models pack a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 - still made under Affalterbach's “one man, one engine” standard as everything else it makes. The engine produces 362 horsepower, and comes mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission and 4Matic all-wheel drive (except for the rear-drive SLC43). The new GLE43 is the largest of the 43 range, and reaches dealers this quarter. Its arrival brings the entire North American AMG lineup up to 34 for 2017, including four-, six-, eight, and twelve-cylinder models of every shape and size: coupes, convertibles, roadsters, sedans, and crossovers. So no matter what type of luxury vehicle for which you may be in the market, AMG's growing 43 series has you covered.
Monday before Thanksgiving. In contrast, the crowd index was only 51 during our Spring Break visit last April; back then the EV spots were less than half-full. Despite the huge crowd, everyone had a good time. My wife got to see the Christmas parade at night and enjoy the Holiday decor. My older son met Captain America, flew in a Mark 42 Ironman suit, and mixed it up with pod racers after being chased by Imperial Forces because Darth Vader identified his brother as a Rebel Spy. My younger son (younger by two minutes, they're twins) got his fill of sensory overload on Space Mountain and Indiana Jones. And at the end of the day, we were swept into a different time and place while strolling down Main Street on our way out. The street gently darkened, leaving only Christmas lights and the castle illuminated. Snow started falling, dancing in the breeze above the buildings before fluttering down onto the heads and faces of smiling parents and delighted children.
In the same fashion that we were immersed, the glimpse into the past was swiftly and softly lifted, returning Main Street to its bright, bustling normalcy. Disney magic at its best. Back at the Mickey and Friends parking structure, every EV space was still occupied at 8pm, albeit with noticeable turnover. And from what I could tell, there were at least a half dozen plug-ins of various marques scattered amongst the non-charging spots that are shared between EVs and those with disability parking permits. Our RAV4 EV was still there, butted up against the nose of the Camry that denied us a proper space seven hours earlier. As I unplugged, my wife eyeballed that Camry and said I should write a note. I said, pointing to my message to Security on the RAV4's windshield. She took my note, ripped it in two, scribbled on the blank half, then stuck it under one of the Camry's wiper blades.
Just then, off in the distance, a young woman evidently watching us smiled and yelled, "Good for you!". She was unplugging a very cute sky blue 500e, and said she had to come back to the parking structure in the late afternoon to plug in when one of the spots opened up. She said she was glad to see that we figured out a way to work around that ICEd spot. Think twice before heading to Disneyland in a BEV when the Mousewait app says the park is nearly full. Chances are that demand for the EVSE spots will exceed capacity. If you still have to go, try to get there much earlier than 1pm, otherwise all the EVSE spots will probably be taken. However, there should still be plenty of space to park in a non-EVSE spot. Don't completely trust the Chargepoint app when it comes to EVSE availability. There may be spots that are ICEd or occupied by plug-ins that aren't plugged in. Plan a break from the action in the park, if possible, to unplug and move to a non-charging spot after you're charged up. Even in the late afternoon, there may be wonderful folks like the driver of that 500e, monitoring their Chargepoint app, hoping for an open spot so that they can juice up to get home.
