Kain

When will the Mercedes-Benz C55 AMG be available? How much horsepower will it have? How do you think it will compare to the BMW M3 and the new Audi S4 in terms of handling?

Kain

By the way, it is rumored that the upcoming Audi RS 4 could have around 400 hp.

KaOTiKM3

Well the new S4 (B6?) already has 340 hp and I'm sure it will be no problem for Audi's RS division to get another 60hp out of the 4.2L V8...the C55, if it is even gonna come, will be here in 2005 at the earliest and is speculated to use the same engine as the CLK55, the naturally aspirated 5.5L V8 (349hp/376lbtq?). As far as acceleration is concerned 0-60, the C55 and C32 would be comparable but it is above 80+mph that the v8 would really show its true strength. The M3 is comparison is more of a sprinter, like lightning out of the gates but then loses wind as the race gets longer, the S4 was never really a contender to win any races but proves to be an all around fighter...AWD quattro, torquey V8, room for 5 adults and 4 doors...the mod capabilities for the C55 would be severely limited and it would cost much more to push out a few ponies than the supercharged C32 which with pulleys, exhaust, headers, chip would be around (350hp at the wheels) and just as much torque...happy hunting...

Kain

The S4 is quicker than the M3 on the track. I can post the video if you want.

KaOTiKM3

nah its ok, I'll take your word for it, the B6 S4 was designed specifcally to "beat" the M3 considering its a 4 door quattro sedan aimed at a different target audience. It just goes to show you how much respect the E46 M3 garners...I don't know, I just never had an affinity for Audi even though they make some nice machines...

99ITR_SC

Isn';t the CLK 55 engine rated at 376 now or something? REPRESENT !!!

bverotti

Ok it is officialy out now > here at the specs of next years C55

I just translate the most important issues of the German text >
There will be a new AMG C version. The outside looks will resemble the new CLK and it will have a "C55" tag.
A N/A 5.5 liter V8 will replace the kompressor V6 and will have 367 HP. The first cars will be delivered with the 5 gear automatic which will later be replaced by the new 7 gear tranny. A manual gearbox is not planned.

I guess this leaves the doors wide open for tuners ala Kleemann to search and find the missing HP in this engine !

Das Glanzlicht der Mercedes-Modellpflege, bildet eine neue AMG-Version der C-Klasse, die es wie bisher als Limousine und als Kombi geben wird. Um sie optisch mehr als bisher von den schwächeren Serien-Varianten abzuheben, erhält sie eine differente Frontpartie, die sich stilistischer Anleihen beim CLK bedient. Der Stern wird allerdings nicht im Kühlergrill, sondern wie gewohnt oben auf der Motorhaube sitzen. Der Heckschriftzug verkündet das Wichtigste: C 55 AMG steht da, was den Abschied vom jetzigen V6-Motor mit Kompressor bedeutet. Unter der Haube sitzt, wie schon einmal beim C 43 AMG, ein Achtzylindermotor, diesmal aber in der üppigen 5,5-Liter-Variante, die damit zum Standardantrieb von AMG wird. Ein Leistungs-Overkill mit der Kompressor-Variante, die bis zu 500 PS leistet, wäre für die C-Klasse allerdings zu viel des Guten gewesen. Stattdessen verfügt der C 55 AMG über die Saugversion des V8, die es auf 367 PS bringt. Die Kraftübertragung erfolgt über die bekannte Fünfstufen-Automatik, zu einem späteren Zeitpunkt kommt jedoch auch die neue Siebengang-Automatik zum Einsatz. Eine Handschaltung, wie es sie beim Konkurrenten M3 gibt, ist nicht geplant.

KaOTiKM3

so would you guys take this C55 over the current C32K? Sounds lik its also getting a bit of an exterior redesign to look more like the current CLK which is a very nice looking car...

Pierre32///AMG

Oh yeah, bverotti is just right!
Kleemann Kompressor CLK 55 K
Basis: Mercedes Benz (209) CLK 55 AMG
404 KW / 550 BHP - at 5800 rpm
710 NM - from 2000 rpm

JustinTRW

I know you have been flaunting that video around quite a bit, but that was just one test. Have you seen the "Stigg" drive? He has the tail majorly out of line in most turn exists. No surprised that awd helped him out a lot. Some of the results that Top Gear is getting on the series are very questionable. I take it with a grain of salt. (They have an Alpina Z8 faster than the Murcielago too)

My point is: that one video is not conclusive as you believe it to be.

eyuan23

I found this online somewhere.

MiamiAMG

Damn, no quad exahaust?????

amgme

no difference on the back or side view. i notice that the tailights have leds now and the tailpipes are round instead of oval. the front has the clk headlights but doesn't look too much different from the current style. is the front air dam scoop bigger??

AMGDood

that sedan looks mean. Love the exhaust and love the rims.
Im glad my lease goes up next year.

bverotti

V8 sounds nice !

But really it is not gonna give you a good feeling when you can't even match the V6 kompressor with some little tuning ....

MiamiAMG

yeah it doesn't look much different, i was hoping for a nice quad exhaust. That front air dam is definitely bigger.

Harris

That sedan looks pretty low, from MB standard! And I LOVE the LED tail-lights!!!! Steve....where are you??? You will have tones of business soon.....

Pierre32///AMG

thanks nice information!!
the C55 will be quicker than the C32 (stock to stock) when will get the 7G-trans after 75 mph, I believe. Also, I guess the C55 will have interior imporvements and more options, as well as the F1 shif stile. However, the C32 is more sportive, easy, and cheap to mod, although the C55 will be cooler and sexy.
For the C55, Kleemann is the way to go but $19k will give you 550hp and 530 lbf torque!

bverotti

Still I believe the C55 should have deserved better than just a 5,5 liter with 'only' 367 HP. Look at the BMW M5 which is getting old now, it has 400 HP out of 5 liter !
My best guess is that MB put the brakes on the 5,5 liter or otherwise BMW is way ahead in building performance engines.

jfo53

Check out the latest edition of Car magazine at the newstands. They say the C55 will come out in spring 04, and will have the new 7 spd auto. Apparently the C model will have some changes then too.

Cory @ Kleemann

You're comparing apples to oranges here. The C-Class and 5-series are in two different classes. Try comparing the M5 with the W211 E55. The C-Class is meant to compete with the BMW 3-series- not the 5-series.

mbodo

Actually, it appears to be apples to apples. No one is comparing track times, handling, or anything other than bhp or torque.

Original statement still holds true, Bimmer V8 is producing more power NA than MB NA V8s, plain and simple (unfortunately). Take the "car" out of the picture.

TNblkc230wz

I don't know why everyone trys to make such a direct comparison to the BMW. If we (this means most of us on this board) wanted a BMW, we would have bought one. They are both good cars and closely priced. I find the MB over the BMW for the following reasons style, comfortable, stearing response, ride v.s. handling qualities, and a host of other reasons. MB sports sedans/coupes are the best kept secret going. The BMW die hards that have driven my car are amazed and start considering MBs as a viable purchase option.

My wifes next car will be either a CLK55 or C55. Just wished they a supercharger on them.

bverotti

Actually I was intending to compare engines, not cars.
In that respect I cannot understand why a 10% N/A LARGER engine designed in 2002 has LESS power then an 10% smaller N/A engine designed ?? years ago . IMHO that is not progress being made by MB or AMG.
That's what I tried to point out.

MiamiAMG

I gotta agree with you on that, maybe that is why AMG came out with a supercharger. They either cant do it, or they just dont want to stress out the engine to the max, ala M3....