This was reported in the March 2002 issue of European Car, page 16 - World News:

"Meanwhile, the supercharged SL55 AMG scheduled for a spring 2002 launch has run into fuel-consumption problems and may be put back as far as the end of 2002. Cars have reportedly been using as much as 35 liters/100km in testing, effectively doubling the claimed fuel-consumption figures.

The supercharged 5.5-liter V8 uses similar technology to the V6-powered C32 AMG, with a Japanese-built IHI supercharger, Ogura clutch system and a water-cooled intercooler. Like all forced-aspiration systems, it uses fuel for cooling as well as creating power.

Where the C32's V6 uses one crankshaft-driven belt to drive the blower and engine ancillaries, the bigger unit has so much more drag it needs a dedicated belt. The larger blower is said to take 80- to 90 bhp from the engine at peak revs."

OT: E430 for sale - www.statusimports.com/e430.html

 

That's a big bummer

 

I also heard the same thing. A tester said that it was an excellent performer but reurned poor mileage, around 11 miles to the gallon. It only got like 150 miles on a tank of gas.

 

Ouch!!!

 

attempt #3.

these are pics taken by a guy in Italy of the first SL55 to be delivered in Italy. it is apparently a customer car.

http://www184.pair.com/cgi-bin/cgiwr...n.pl?read=313#

why would they be doing deliveries if there was a problem?

doody.

 

I have to agree with Doody. There have been tests of the SL55 comparing it to other high-end sportscars...and I don't remember anything about fuel consumption being a problem.

Why would MB release the car for magazine testing if it was not ready for production?

And in the forum those pics are attached to, a guy in Germany says he is getting his first SL55 for a customer NEXT WEEK.

BTW, the pic of the SL55 engine is now my screensaver. Awesome.

 

Here's the pics..

 

Mercedes SL55 AMG
Talk about one-upmanship. No sooner has Mercedes' new SL been launched to rave reviews than the company's in-house tuning arm has gone one better. The SL55 AMG is the three-pointed star's new flagship, and the most powerful production car ever to storm out of the factory gates. But can AMG improve on the superbly accomplished SL500?
In a word, yes, although the sports specialist has wisely left the stunning styling and roof mechanism well alone. The car's shape is a masterclass in understatement, so external changes are limited to modified bumpers, four chromed exhausts and a choice of two new 18-inch alloy wheel designs. Few onlookers will be aware of the car's Ferrari-bashing performance potential lurking within the sculpted body. AMG's designers have been bolder in the cabin, but with mixed results. The new 'sandcast-effect' anodised aluminium trim is meant to imitate the crackle finish on the engine cover, but it looks cheap and feels rough to the touch.

The instrument pod is much more successful with the classic silver dials topped by a suede cowling. The seats have also been altered to feature contoured backrests with electrically inflatable side bolsters. They're incredibly comfortable and lock the body in place.

That's essential, given the SL55's performance. AMG admits that when developing the 5.5-litre supercharged V8 engine, torque was the primary concern. A supercharger is ideal as it operates at low engine speeds, and AMG had already developed the technology for the SLK32 and C32 models launched earlier this year.

But the SL55 is in another league, producing an astonishing 700Nm of torque at only 2,650rpm. Compared with that, its 476bhp power output seems almost insignificant. And the engine's sound is amazing. Even at idle, it reverberates through your ears and makes the ground tremble. Crack the throttle open and the full-blooded roar is nothing short of phenomenal.

However, it takes a while to notice the sound - to begin with, you're too busy concentrating on the speed. Despite weighing the best part of two tons, AMG's flagship will pass 60mph in 4.5 seconds. By that stage, though, it's only just getting into its stride. With the standard car's 155mph limiter removed, Mercedes claims 180mph is easily achievable. However an AMG engineer has admitted to us that an otherwise unmodified SL55 has already achieved over 205mph in testing! And this from an engine that meets EU-4 emissions regulations, which don't come into force until 2005. It's no surprise to find the power being channelled through a five-speed automatic gearbox. However, this one features a manual mode, with buttons behind the steering wheel. The only downside is that the buttons are rather easy to hit by mistake. Apart from that, it's great - the shifts are swift and perfectly smooth. The same goes for the driving experience. AMG models of the past used to be rather hard and brutal, but not any more. The SL500 is a phenomenal starting point and the SL55 moves the game on from there. It's not a pure sports car, and it's never going to offer a Ferrari-type thrill, but it is astonishingly capable and flows beautifully.

**Yet it does have a flaw as a high-speed cruiser. While well heeled owners are unlikely to worry about the horrendous fuel economy (we averaged about 11mpg), they might be concerned about the car's range. Exploit the performance, and the fuel light will blink on after only 160 miles - hardly suitable for a grand tourer. **

British prices have still to be announced, but expect the SL55 AMG to command a £17,000 premium over the SL500. Yet, even with a price potentially in excess of £85,000, the waiting list is already 18 months long. People's faith in AMG is not misplaced, though. The SL55 is an exceptional machine.

With the SL55, AMG has not only built the best and fastest Mercedes ever, but it's also managed to eclipse the standard SL500. Beautifully designed, the driving experience is dominated by a 5.5-litre supercharged V8 engine that lets 700Nm of torque do the talking. Although it lacks the sporting aspirations of a Porsche or Ferrari, the SL55 AMG is every bit as fast as its illustrious rivals while being a more capable and polished all-rounder. Our only wish would be that the fuel consumption and range weren't so dismal.

 

fouad

This is the Euro version SL55 and i beleive the US specs sould be a little bit different.

 

I thought I was going to like those new wheels on the SL55, but they look too flat, no lip. Yuck.

 

I've seen the CL wheels installed on the SL at the La Auto Show and i thought those looked really nice!