The new Mercedes-Benz CLS 55 AMG: A unique amalgamation of the powerful AMG 5.5-litre supercharged V8 engine and exceptional design

Affalterbach, Jul 05, 2004
Imposing performance figures and exclusive specification: Mercedes-AMG has succeeded in creating a most desirable car in the form of the new CLS 55 AMG. This unique four-door coupé is driven by the powerful and refined AMG V8 supercharged engine, which generates an output of 350 kW/476 hp and 700 Newton metres of torque from a displacement of 5.5 litres. This gives the car truly top-notch performance: the CLS 55 AMG accelerates from nought to 100 km/h in just 4.7 seconds and has an electronically limited maximum speed of 250 km/h. The CLS 55 AMG boasts AMG sports suspension, a high-performance AMG braking system plus AMG bodystyling and will be making its market debut in January 2005.

As with the other AMG high-performance cars, the engine power is transferred to the wheels via the AMG SPEEDSHIFT five-speed automatic transmission. This allows the driver to choose between fully automatic or manual gear changes, the latter being possible by using either the selector lever or the gearshift buttons on the ergonomic AMG sports steering wheel. The powerplant is superbly complemented by the AMG sports suspension and by the AMG high-performance braking system. The CLS 55 AMG features AIRMATIC DC semi-active air suspension with an adaptive damping system; this suspension set-up has been specially modified for AMG by giving it tauter tuning. Large, internally ventilated and perforated brake discs make for impressive deceleration and high fading resistance.

Powerful-looking 18-inch AMG light-alloy wheels and AMG bodystyling
The car’s dynamic ride characteristics are due in part to the wheel/tyre combination fitted – 8.5 and 9.5-inch wide 18-inch AMG twin-spoke light-alloy wheels shod with 255/40 and 285/35 wide-base tyres. These powerful-looking wheels complement the new AMG bodystyling, which in turn reflects the sophisticated coupé aesthetics of the CLS-Class to perfection. The AMG bodystyling comprises an expressive front apron with large air inlets and round fog lamps, side skirts and a distinctive rear apron. One highlight which appeals to both the eye and the ear is provided by the two chromed, twin oval tailpipes of the AMG sports exhaust system. Further differentiation is ensured by a special radiator grille with three imposing, silver-painted louvers and “V8 KOMPRESSOR” lettering on the front wings; the AMG spoiler lip on the boot lid adds the final touch, as well as increasing the down-force on the rear wheels.

Comprehensive, high-grade standard equipment with nappa leather upholstery
The equipment of the CLS 55 AMG represents a pleasing combination of exclusive, sporty styling and high-quality materials. The design of the new AMG sports seats exhibits special AMG perforations, lateral piping, double stitching and Alcantara panels at shoulder height. The plentiful specification also includes luxurious nappa leather in a choice of three colours, an AMG instrument cluster with a 320 km/h speedometer scale and chromed door sill panels with the AMG logo.

The sporty and exclusive CLS 55 AMG car will be appearing at Mercedes-Benz sales outlets and dealerships starting in January 2005.

 

sly, thanks for the pics and info.. looks beautiful... but how come they keep saying 18" wheels? Arent those the new 19" AMG wheels that just came out specifically for the CLS?

 

Man those are some extremely nice looking wheels. Who cares if they are 18" or 19"

I'm stunned at how different this car is from all the other Mercedes' in the line up right now. Is this the direction Mercedes stylists are heading? Pretty weird seeing how it stacks up compared to the R230 and the W209.

 

Here are some additional pics...

Wolfman

 

WOW!!! that thing looks emazing

 

CLS55 looks so cool!!!
Thanks for the pictures and info!!!

 

The article says twin spoke wheels...but those are single spoke, are they not?

I like it, but think it looks a bit like the Lexus GS series. Better than the crap that BMW designers have put out though, that is beyond question.

Note it has the same front fascia as the supposed E65 someone has posted pics of from the AMG factory.

 

This is car sooooo sweet!

 

well, the car in the first pictures have different wheels than the car in the darker, second pictures, and it looks as if the single spoke ones are larger (therefore 19 inch) than the double spoke ones (probably the 18 inchers).

which begs the questions, how do we get the 19'ers, of course.

 

The tacho set ups look kind of like Porsche

 

Nice pics! Thanks for posting!

 

Ah crap, look at the seatbelt thing. It's manual. My BMW's manual, it sucks. I want automatic like the Lexus.

 

I wonder if this is going to be the final interior because the 05 E has a new different HVAC unit (a picture is somewhere in the W211 forum), and this one has the old HVAC. The new one doesn't have digital readouts, instead there's a dial for temp, and buttons for the fan, which light up a wheel in the middle. Oh yeah, no rest feature, either, which has a bunch of folk over in that forum up in arms (it's no big deal to me, but to each their own).

 

Nice!

 

Nice pics thx man

Today I received the first contract for an CLS 55 AMG. Delivering for the first quarter year 2005.

 

Teck,

how bout the CLS350? will that come before the 500 or at the same time?

 

At the same time. I'll get some CLS 500 and 350 in september, but these are the first one. The AMG version is always the last one. I'll try to post some pics if the firs CLS arrives.

 

Excellent thanks for the info man.

 

 

Nice! I am loving it more.

 

The car is actually beginning to grow on me. I don't like the wood interior... I am spoiled with the dark bird's eye maple...I think it would compliment the car better...but overall it's an awesome lookin car IMO.

 

I really like the interior, especially with the SL55 steering wheel - look miles better than the melted jelly mould wheel you get an E55.

Exterior though. Horrible. Clearly one aimed for the US market, who its seems like this sort of thing (no offence meant to US tastes - vive la difference etc.). Someone will say it'd look good in white soon....

Would be quite surprised if they sell many in Europe - I'd take an E over this any day (but with an SL steering wheel...)

 

I agree with your observations re the new direction in BMW styling.

I was at the Geneva Auto Show earlier this year to see the M5 Concept. (I'm a current M5 owner). The MB booth was not far away and the CLS to my eye looked absolutely stunning, just stopped me in my tracks.

By comparison the new M5 looked really awkward, even downright silly, from some angles, though a tad better than the standard new 5.

One reason I am switching brands (and getting an E55) after many, many years with BMW. I want to drive a beautiful, sensual car. Not Chris Bangle's poke in the eye.