when i was in D.C. last week, i saw a c55 barrell down the road. it sounded like a beast with it's v8 powerhouse, and looked so good, in black with the new AMG styling.

but i was wondering - why did mercedes bother changing the model to a c55 rather than keeping the c32? the v8 5.5 liter engine produces about the same power as the v6 3.2 liter supercharged engine, the only significant difference being the increased amount of torque. but it's offset by the added weight of the v8, so it may push you back harder, but really the performance is pretty much the same. is it just for marketing so it competes better with the compeition: the new v8 powered s4 and soon-to-be v8 powered m3 (or whatever the hell bmw chooses the number to be)? i was just curious.

 

Thats why they made it IMO

 

BTW, Brabus produced the CV8 pretty much since the 203 came out-- THATS the ultimate beast, but I think iit costs like $120K

 

agreed!

 

With all the competition switching to V8's its only logical for MB to do the same.

Audi S4 = V8
New M3 = V8
Caddy CTS-V = V8

 

what he said...

 

do you think they may put the 5.5 kompressor in the C55, that would be one monster!!

 

holy sh*t would that be a hot car! heh, with this whole horsepower war (that it seems MB is pretty on top of haha), i wouldn't be surprised if they eventually bring the 5.5 kompressor into the c-class AMG model. but do you think it would fit?

 

thats what i dont know, what would make it larger. i mean the cylinders are the same arent they. there would be the supercharger, blower, etc. it would be a tight fit but do-able. that would be one hell of a car though!

 

hey, ya never know, the new '07 c-class is on it's way....and with it, a new AMG model....and with that, maybe, just maybe...

 

There have been a few complaints about the clattery nature of the C32 engine, particularly at startup. Nothing major, but those paying 55 large may expect more refinement.

 

Mercedes is changing all of its AMG cars to be naturally aspirated if I recall.

 

damn them! the 5.5 kompressor is awesome!

 

There's no substitute for cubic inches!

 

I thought they were going to all V-8's except the 12 in the very upper cars, for AMG's to help cut costs. If they all use the same block and head then it is cheaper to produce the engines. Not that the price will drop on any AMG's but they can keep less engines around this way. Plus the SC'ed V-6 is in a Chrysler now so it lost its edge!!!!

 

what chrysler model is it in??

 

Cross fire i believe.

 

i hate chrysler!

 

It's all about the 07 with 06 delivery.

 

I think it's important that MB try and stay "ahead of the curve" with the C55. I agree that they went to the V8 for this sole purpose. Although the C55 is supposed to be slower right now, I think that MB has room to play with the 5.5l V8 hp-wise. I wouldn't be surprised if they used some modifications to break the 400-425 hp level without s/c or turbos.

Chrysler is using the 3.2l s/c engine in the SRT-6 Crossfire.

Here are some websites with some specs and such of the C32 and C55 to compare:

http://www.mbusa.com/amg/model-inc.j...modelsection=C

http://www.mercedes-benz.com/omb/amg.../c55/index.htm

 

the C55 could be one mean car with some engine mods.

 

333Hp version in the Crossfire SRT-6 Coupe and Convertable.

 

yeah, that's another thing i noticed. with the added weight of the v8 in the c55, acceleration has decreased, at least with the numbers they give for both cars. the c32 was rated at 4.9 seconds from 0-60, whereas the c55 as been getting numbers around 5.1 seconds or so. although 0-60 times aren't a huge deal, how will this reflect on the 1/4 times for both cars? (i haven't seen any stats on that yet). and i wonder if handling has suffered any from the added weight, or if upgraded AMG suspension and brakes have offset that...