I'm usually more into the much-older models, and I'm particularly NOT a fan of the C-class, but this one looks like fun!

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/?http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/previews/previews_story.php?id=44414

Mike


Edit: Oops, I forgot that this site wants you to sign up for a membership...for those who are averse to doing that, here is the article:


Mercedes C55 AMG saloon

Now the entire C-Class range has been given a sporty makeover, Mercedes has decided to offer a muscular flagship version. With a 5.4-litre 367bhp engine, the C55 is the fastest production C-Class ever - but squeezing a V8 into it wasn't easy.

The front of the car had to be extended by 8cm, so while some designers were busy fitting 18-inch alloys, side skirts and a rear spoiler, others were ensuring the longer nose didn't spoil the imposing lines.

And after driving the C55 AMG, we can confirm that it goes as well as it looks. Mercedes claims a 0-60mph time of 5.2 seconds and a 155mph top speed - and we can believe it! Thanks to the 510Nm of torque, overtaking is in the warp speed category, whether you use the steering wheel button shift or full auto mode, while the quad tail-pipes burble menacingly. The trouble is, even a slight tap on the accelerator causes the car to surge forward. The all-or-nothing throttle means the warning light for the revised ESP seems to be on more than off as the rear tyres struggle for grip. In the dry this can be fun - but wet, twisty roads are not for the faint-hearted.

If you want to cover distances fast and in comfort, the C55 AMG makes for a good companion. But B-road drivers would be better off in a less potent car.

----Gavin Ward
www.autoexpress.co.uk

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1979 300 SD
350,000 miles
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1982 300D-gone---sold to a buddy
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1985 300TD
270,000 miles
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1994 E320
not my favorite, but the wife wanted it

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If I ever get hitched again and have kids, I'll need a four-door

I'd like to see a C55 estate!

Does anyone know if the extra weight and length makes the car too front-heavy? That'd be my main concern. How does it do in slalom tests, etc?

It's reckoned that, though it's less tuneable and barely faster than the V6 K, it doesn't have the high-mounted supercharger in the V of the engine, and intercooler (I think) out front. Basically the weight distribution is better and C of G lower, and the handling improved combined with numerous tweaks by AMG after a lot of testing at the Nurburgring.

There will also apparently be a 'track' suspension setup which AMG found to be ideal after their testing there.


let's hope!

Russ

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190E's:
2.5-16v 1990 90,000m Astral Silver
2.0E 8v 1986 107,000m Black 2nd owner
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I think a Mercedes engineer was visiting this forum and saw this..

11.8 sec 1/4 mile in a 202 ????

The beast to build would be a factory C55 with a Kleeman kit. Probably hunt some of the biggest game on the streets with a big-bore gun like that...

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John Shellenberg
1998 C230 "Black Betty" 240K

http://img31.exs.cx/img31/4050/tophat6.gif

Snibble,

Mercedes-Benz actually did produce an AMG-modified C55 (as an "AMG Special") on the W202 chassis in both sedan and wagon formats....for Europe only. It was an expensive car and not many were sold/upgraded. They were reported to be fantastic performers.

whoooah.. didn't know that. Thanks for teaching me something new

John, you had a C43 AMG no? Just how fast was that thing?

The trick thing would be to put an S55 AMG powerplant in the new C. At 500+hp, thing would win the Daytona 500. (That's if the MAF sensor didn't conk out)

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Check out March issue of Mercedes Enthusiast. They have an article on the 362 bhp V8 C-Class.

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