Will the 2006 or 2007 model year get an engine with more power?

 

Since I never buy the first year of ANY vehicle, I'm hoping the '06 or '07 will get the 4-cam 32v V8... but then again I'm hoping to win the PowerBall®!

 

Does anyone know when the new engine will be available?

 

MB is very guarded about details like this. If they were to say it was coming out for 2006 it may effect 2005 model sales. I don't think they will bring it out until at least 2008 at least on the C-class. I would expect this engine to show up first on the E55 or CLK55 which are higher profit vehicles.

 

It seems it is a strategic move of MB that is shifting AMG monsters displacement engines from higher to lower end models. It makes sense as it is much cheaper than to rebuild a new engine.

my 2cents guessings:-

- If I recall correctly, SL55 is a few hp more than the E55 just to distinguish SL as a higher 'class' model. That means logically a CLK55 will not be as powerful as a E55.

- MB may be able to make CLK55/C55 's 367 hp engine to deliver more power and it seems MB has decided there is no point to deliver too much more than what their competitor M3 does. i.e. more power on the CLK55 also means more fuel consumption, heat dissipation problem.

- If forcoming new M3 is indeed with a 400hp V8 engine, a good guess is MB might raise the 5.5 V8 engine hp to 405/410 hp for the CLK55/C55.

With MB's more superior brand name than BMW, there is no need for MB to deliver excessive power on CLK55 than its competative model M3. People want the power , should pay more and go for a E55.

I migth be wrong , comments welcome.

cnt












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Don't you mean the S55? The SL55 is a different type of car so it shouldn't really be compared to the E55.

 

...or slap on the Kompressor

 

cntlaw is right. There are no power upgrades planned for the C/CLK until the new 4 valve engines come out. The new C may debut with this engine possibly of 5.5L displacement and something like 410-420bhp. The CLK and SLK may receive these engines possibly in their mid life facelift or all new models. One thing has also been rumoured. Due to the massive gap between the 500 mdoels and the 55K AMG models, Mercedes may decide to build a 550 engine, possibly with also 400+bhp. But the problem will then be, what shall replace the current AMG 5.5 V8 in the C/CLK/and SLK55? AMG could possibly up the displacement to 5.7L or maybe put a detuned version of their upcoming 6.3 V8 in their lower end cars>? But the latter seems overkill.

 

Does anyone know a planned release date for the 4 valve/ cylinder motor?

 

The 69 series of AMG was announced about 6 months ago. S69, CL69 and SL69 are all possible.

 

If MB's name is so superior and if there is no need to deliver excessive power why did they bring out the e55k and c32k and clk55 NA each with more power than their M counterparts. The fact is there are buyers out there who want power and aren't blind naive brand loyalists such as ourselves. Not too mention that not everyone wants a big tank E-class or 5 series. Both BMW and MB know this and will act accordingly as they are both out to make a buck.

 

With all due respect, people were saying the 69 cars were an April Fools joke. Even the AMG Owners Club denied the reports, but then again they would. Anythings possible.

 

MB AMG can flexibility tune up their AMG engine power for sake of competition or for any other performance reasons. Extracted below data , as you can see, SL55 has same engine as E55 but SL55 has more horse power. One reason can be simply MB wants to make their flagship SL model performnace figure to be more superior. A better reason is because SL's relatively heavier weight than the E55, so MB tuned up the engine to 500hp to give the SL equal performance (at least look good on data ) as the E.
( or MB actually tuned down the E55 engine to make sure it does not perform better than the SL55 )

E55 Engine Specifications
Number of cylinders 8
Number of valves 24
Displacement [CC] 5439
Maximum Power [hp] 476
Maximum Torque [Nm/RPM] 700/2650-4000
Weight in kg
Kerb weight 1835


SL55 Engine Specifications
Number of cylinders 8
Number of valves 24
Displacement [CC] 5439
HP 500
Maximum Torque [Nm/RPM] 700@2650-4500
Weight & capacity
Kerb weight [kg] 1955






Automatic
Maximum speed [mph] 155
Acceleration 0-62.5 mph [secs] 4.7
Fuel consumption [mpg]
City 14.8
Extra urban 30.4
Combined 21.9
CO2 Emissions (g/km) 310

 

Okay I always agree.

I did really try to mean ' not too excessive' that is 'just enough for being competitive'. Sorry for the confusion.

Yes , true, the E55 is built to compete with M5; the CLK55 is to compete with the M3. Well, 'take a share in the market place' is more appropriate than the word 'compete'. As we really cannot tell at this time whether the E and CLK are indeed the strategic MB models to directly compete.

I guess there were marketing and technical reasons that MB did not make the CLK55 to be a 400hp in the first place even they could do it. One good reason I believe is MB brand has other good features to attract their fans, than just the engine power.

cnt

 

What is the likely hood of the c55 get a 40+ hp increase in '06 or will that occur '07/'08?

 

My guess is until now we still cannot be sure about MB's strategy on the C AMG. Shift the 5.5 AMG from S/SL to E/CLK and then to the C only tells us that it is 'feasible' to port the same 5.5 engine to all these models. The C55 may be a just a tactical move rather than a strategic move.

I am more curious to find out whether there will be a new engine for the E AMG, which can be ported to the C AMG, as someone mentioned in this thread, a 4 valve!? We might need to think of if the C/CLK AMG always receive a tuned down AMG engine from the E?

I also guess the coming new generation S/SL AMG might use a 'strategic AMG engine' that is good for the E, CLK, CLS and the C.
In cost point of view, that makes some sense.

Only someone here who has first hand information can give us some hints.

cnt

 

Car magazine (British) had a small blurb in a recent copy that said AMG is already working on a power boost for the C55. They claimed it was needed to respond to the new 400hp M3. Since the new M3 will supposedly be out in 2006, I would expect to see the uprated C55 around the same time.

 

Rumours are not worth very much. This model is new for 2005 so it would make sense to leave it alone for at least 2 years. MB would incur much anger from current owners if they changed or improved the performance of this model too soon. It is selling very well as it is. My sources say 2008 will see a change in power for this model.

 

So then, its okay to go ahead and buy one, w/o fear of an immediate powertrain/styling overhaul, correct?

 

I'm gonna throw some dirt here.

One German mag said the C55 may get 7G Tronic in future, which is awesome for the car as it wll make it more faster in acceleration and response, but bad for the buying public....

 

Its the Maggoo effect. It only applies to people wanting to make a purchase now but holding off because of what will be made in 3 years from now. Such short sighted mannerisms amount to nothing at all .... it means you miss out on driving a great now because you will have a greater car some time in the future. Hardly seems worth the wait if you plan to spend the money.

 

My agreement and support to your point is 1000% TRUELY VALID.
I purchased my W210 E320 6 months before the W211 launched.
I purchased my C55 even I know the new gen S will come and the C after in 1-1.5 yrs.

The former case, I experienced my first MB the luxury of MB and what is a MB car. Look back, the 3 years W210 38000km experience was the best of all of what I had in the past: 325i, Prelude VTEC, MR-S, Accord....
Truly, it is what you have got now comparing with what you had in the past that count.

The later case, I went through deep deep thinking , I went through all the decisions makings ; believe or not , I did not get an answer satisfying myself
to a decision to shift from the W210 to the C55! The C55 here is USD 10800. The most expensive spend on a car I ever did in my life.It was never a easy decision to make.

And then, how come I did it? There is no 'reason' but there is one FACT. If I don't do it now, how can I be so sure I will do it in 2006 for the new C? By that time, my requirements might change, the competitors might change, I might lose my job too.

When comes to the final stage of writing a big cheque , ther is only one question to ask myself and there is only one answer.

" Do I really crazy about this baby and be proud to be driving it for at least 2 years?"

And the answer is :
"YES, I must have it"


Of course, my cases had some support reasons behind. The W210 was paid for at its lowest price in history with 99.99% FULL OPTOIONS except the air cond seats. And, The C55 is the first 5.5L on the C in history and there was only one left in the shipment that arrived within one month. M3 was far out of the question or I would rather keep my W210. I have no second choice because the E55 price is USD 15500 here - I could not commit any bigger loan than the C55, and even I could , I knew I would not come to a buy decision without comparing with the 997 - and then be on the 997's order queue means a long long way to go.

BTW, 7 speed is nothing that 'new'. It is already on the current S500, the forcoming E350 W211, the new SLK350.

To be fair to say, there is a reason to wait if some MB dealers accept your deposit and can swear to deliver you a 7 speed C55 within six weeks.

my 2cents

cnt

 

Your point matches one of my 'guesses'. C55 is not entirely a facelift. It is rather a combination of a C 's facelift + a tactical/strategic move of the 5.5. to the C. So as agree with you that we can call the C55 a 'new AMG car' but not as 'new' as the CLK55.

The true is the existence of C AMG was never directly a threat to the M3. The C AMG's take a portion of the M3 market share by satisfying the true MB lover with emphasis on 'more comfort', '4-door&more space back seats" and it is "as powerful and fun as the M3".

I would guess the M3 's direct competitor will be a combination of C+CLK AMG models. We also must not ignore the adverse effect that if both C and CLK are 400hp , would you pay that much more for an extra 60hp for the E55? Not until MB deliver a E65 with 500hp, the 400hp C/CLK 'sc schedule is still a question.

I might have some contradictions above , but I do support your point. I won't be sad if the new C is 40hp more as our roads are not long enough for 250kmh. I am more curious to find out what new technology and luxury and safety features would go into the new gen S and the new gen C ; that would really make the C AMG a true competitor. And when the time comes, the CLK will be aged too

cnt

 

so true Miroj........if we were to keep on holding out until that "NEXT" model to get certain options and increase in hp, when will you ever get a car??? because it's obvious that ALL cars will be improved upon and added-on year after year....so if one doesn't get the current C55 in anticipation for the next wave of add-ons (7G tranny, increase hp..etc) for the 06-07', what will one do when they improve/add-on to AMG "C" the following years after that?? continue to wait?? ....

 

We already know that C63 is coming. Does that mean I should buy new shoes and just walk everywhere until it arrives ? Clearly it doesnt matter.

My ideal in life is to buy C180 with steel rims and ZERO options. That way it in the future there will never be anything cheaper to buy with less options and weaker motor. All the newer cars will have more options, cost more and have better performance. So nothing will change.