AMGB

Over in the E-Class board, they had a link to a Canadian site that states the new E500 MY 2004 will have the 7 speed transmission. Is there a way we can find out if that will also be true for the E55 MY 2004? Can we contact somebody in AMG? It is really interesting that the transmission can handle exactly 700 torque which is the same as all the 55 amg engines. You got to think that it was going into the amg models.

I think I am would be willing to wait even 6 months after MY 2004 comes out to have the smoother and more efficient, and of course, faster transmission.

amgB

pogotango

yea, thats what i meant by we already talked about this. it was over on the e 211 board

Rennteam

The latest rumor I got regarding the 7-speed tranny says that the AMG models won't get it because it is no real advantage to the supercharged models but increases weight, cost and needs new certification. Or to make it short: it seems that we won't see the 7-speed tranny on the E 55 AMG for MY 2004. Hope this helps.

AMGB

RennTeam

Thanks for the rumor info. Why do you think they would go to the trouble of getting it certified for the E500, but not for the other amg models?

amgB

Rennteam

Additional cost and no real advantage. I also think that the AMG models sell well and they need some sales arguments for the "ordinary" V8 models. However I'm pretty sure we'll see the 7-speed auto tranny on some AMG models too. The question is when and what models. There is a strong rumor that AMG plans to abandon the supercharged V8 in 2005, switching to twin-turbo charged V8 engines.

AMGB

RC

I thought there were advantages to the new tranny. Like smoother upshifts and the ability to skip gears for downshifting. I understand there might not be a huge advantages in 0-60 times. But maybe in 0-100 or quarter mile. Oh, also better gas mileage.

I do understand your comment our marketing the over V8.

Thanks for the info. Your comments on this board has been very exciting to read.

amgB

Rennteam

There are advantages on the 7-speed tranny, no doubt about it.
Especially the new downshift feature (regular auto trannies downshift 1 gear, the new 7-speed can downshift 2 gears) is a huge advantage. But are you really sure the AMG Speedshift needs smoother upshifts? And with that high torque figure, I don't think there really would be an advantage in performance, on the contrary.

No doubt, AMG sooner or later will have to go for the 7-speed tranny. But maybe we'll see a 7-G Tronic Speedshift version of the new 7-speed tranny?
The upcoming SL 65 and S 65 AMG will surely profit from such a auto tranny, especially because they need the 1200 Nm torque limit.
I bet we'll see a 650 HP SL 65 AMG with 1200 Nm torque by end of next year, it is a pitty that AMG doesn't seem to have plans to offer the bi-turbo charged V12 in the E-class. A E 65 AMG with 600 HP (I don't need the full power ) would be nice.
I wonder if AMG would build such a car on demand for one of their Middle East customers.

Yep, if someone didn't guess it already: I'm one of those "power mongers". Gimme more power, AMG. :p

AMGB

My guess would be that we'll see the biTurbo engine on the next generation E amg version. I heard there is not enough room in the engine bay for the 12 cycl. biTurbo. But, who is to say they don't make the engine bay slightly larger for the next version e class to fit that beast. That would be the one to over take the M5 for good.

My guess is when the M5 shows up with 500+hp, MB will counter by make slight mods to the new E55 to be very close in HP but still a big advantage in torque until the E65 amg shows up in 2009. That is just 100% my opinion.

Thanks for your comments.

amgB

Rennteam

The current supercharged V8 engine is rumored to have it's "death" by 2005. The W211 replacement is due around 2009.
So my guess would be that starting with MY 2006, the E55 gets a more powerful V8, probably bi-turbo charged but with minimum 520 HP to cope with the new M5. I also wouldn't be surprised to see 540-560 HP on the SL 55 by 2006.

Let's see how fast and how good (or not ) the new M5 will be.
Crucial thing will be weight. If the M5 weights less than the E55, the E55 will be in trouble. But anyway, no matter how good the M5 will be, the E55 has a huge advantage: the M5 is plain UGLY.

AMGB

RC,

Wow, you really think they will bump up the HP to 520 by MY 2006? That would mean that the 469HP engine was only good for 2 and a half years. If that was the case, they I should only get a 3-4 year lease and then another 3-4 year lease so I can get the next E55 replacement in 2010. I was figuring they would replace the current E in MY 2009 and E55 in 2010. Do you think they can fit a biTurbo V8 inside the current 2003 E55?

What do you think about the chances of a E65 AMG?

amgB

Rennteam

I'm not sure it would count to AMG what I think.

Fact 1: the E55 is powerful but the new M5 will be more poweful
Fact 2: it is very likely that the new M5 will be substantially lighter than the E55
Fact 3: a change of an engine generation does always include more power
Fact 4: if AMG really abandons the supercharger, there is nothing else left than a bi-turbo
Fact 5: during the W210 lifespan, there has been a E50 and a E55
Fact 6: AMG doesn't seem to be too happy with the V12 bi-turbo charged engines in the "ordinary" Mercedes models S600, CL600 and SL600 (it is an open secret that these engines "eat" the supercharged V8 for breakfast )
Fact 7: well, I could continue this but I want to go to sleep soon...

Right now I only have information that AMG wants to build a S 65 AMG and a SL 65 AMG. No word on a E 65 AMG yet.
I'm still a little bit disappointed that AMG officially offers less power on the E55, no matter if this is for marketing reasons or technical reasons (as they officially claim). The E55 is no competitor to the SL55 and probably no real competitor to the S 55 if people need a lot of space. The CL55 is somehow special and I don't think CL55 customers would choose a E55. So I would be very thankful if AMG does on the E55 what they did on the SL55: raise the power, even if it is on paper only.

AMGB

Thanks for your thoughts.

amgB

Canuck

sorry double post...

Canuck

Just got word from my dealer on the 7 speed. It will only be on non 4-matic versions of the E, CL and S class. AMG models will still have to live with the regular 5 speed. This is accurate up to the 2004 model year for Canada. They still do not have any word on the DVD navigation option yet.

On a different note, the Bentley GT was shown last week in LA and it looks extremely stunning in real life despite the 'orange' interior. I hope that AMG makes an announcement about the SL65/CL65 for the US/Canada market soon or else I may have no choice but to go British....oops, I mean German....

Cheers.

Rennteam

Not a thought but a new rumor I got today:

by 2005, the new supercharged (NOT bi-turbo charged as rumored before) V8 engines will have up to 560 HP.
Rumors indicate 560 HP on the SL55, 540 HP on the S55 and probably 520-540 HP on the E55 to cope with the new M5.
Rumor indicates introduction of new 4-valve (no 3-valve anymore) V8 engines with direct fuel injection. Supercharger stays.
If this is true, a retrofit for current engines to the new power figures won't be possible.

As always: rumors should be taken with a grain of salt.