I won this V8 KOMPRESSORS Australian Press Launch Kit on eBay a while back and thought some of you here might want a look for historical value.

The entire kit has a quality feel and presentation and features information on the new range including specs and prices and includes numerous documents that aren't shown here. The pictures included in the kit are genuine photographic prints on quality Mercedes-Benz stamped photo paper enclosed in Mercedes-Benz waxed paper.

Interesting to note the E55's base price in Australia when released was $219,000, which shortly thereafter jumped to $221,000 (plus on road costs).


__________________________________________________ ______
Sydney motor show debut for V8 KOMPRESSORS

• E 55 AMG: The most powerful Mercedes-Benz E-Class of all time
• The most powerful Mercedes-Benz of all: SL 55 AMG with 368 kW
• AMG SPEEDSHIFT with Formula 1-style gearshift
• Affalterbach: One man, one engine philosophy

Mercedes-Benz will unleash two new high-performance AMG vehicles at this year's Sydney motor show, which opens today.

The new E 55 AMG and SL 55 AMG, both of which feature an eight-cylinder supercharged engine and Formula 1-style gear changes at the touch of a button, are the latest top models available from Mercedes-AMG.

With their powerful supercharged V8 AMG engines, and with numerous high-tech innovations on board, the E 55 AMG, and the SL 55 AMG, set new standards in their respective market segments.

"Customer demand in Australia for high-performance Mercedes-AMG vehicles continues to surpass our expectations," said Matthias Lbhrs, Managing Director Mercedes-Benz Passenger Cars.

"After their Sydney motor show debut, we expect that customer interest in the new E 55 AMG and SL 55 AMG will intensify. The combination of stylish good looks, awesome performance and exclusivity in these new supercharged V8 AMG cars will attract a whole host of new customers to the Mercedes-AMG marque," said Liihrs.

The supercharged AMG V8 engine, with its 5.5-litre displacement, develops a maximum output of 350 kW (E 55 AMG) or 368 kW (SL 55 AMG) and a maximum torque of 700 Newtonmetres. The new supercharged models deliver between 34 and 39 percent more output and 32 percent more torque than the previous models, which featured V8 naturally-aspirated engines. The result is performance worthy of a true sports car: the E 55 AMG and SL 55 AMG sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.7 seconds, and both share a top speed of 250 km/h (electronically governed).

One man, one engine - AMG badge documents production process

The "one man, one engine" philosophy means that one engineer at the engine plant in Affalterbach, Germany, takes responsibility for the entire assembly of each AMG high-performance engine - as evidenced by that mechanic's signature on a special engine badge, which, in the case of the AMG V8 supercharged engine, is located on the supercharger module.

AMG SPEEDSHIFT with Formula 1-style steering-wheel gearshift

In the two new AMG models with the V8 supercharged engine, the power is transmitted by a five-speed automatic transmission which incorporates the AMG SPEEDSHIFT function, adapting to both a sporty and a comfort-oriented driving style. In manual mode the gears can be changed at the touch of a button on the steering wheel as in a racing car. Further technological highlights include the optimum gear function and active engine-braking downshift, which, together with the mechanical lock-up of the torque converter from first gear, make for an extremely direct driving experience. The advantages of the AMG SPEEDSHIFT automatic transmission are rounded off by more spontaneous and up to 35 percent faster gear changes.

For more information
Email toni.andreevski@daimlerchrysler.com Website: www.media.daimlerchrysler.com

 

Very cool. Thanks for sharing!

They were really touting the whole "F1 style gear shift" back then, yet we know today how antiquated it is.

 

The M113K was a real surprise and a massive jump in the horsepower wars.

While BMW was messing around with clunky new automatic transmissions and high reving NA engines, Mercedes takes a page from American muscle cars and uses a blown V8 and more traditional transmission to get the job done.

 

From memory those were the dark days when the aussie dollar was worth about 55 cents US. Sure made drinking expensive over a 3 week visit we did that year.

 

Luxury cars are still pricey in Australia - far beyond where they should be priced. It's a supply and demand thing - the manufacturers ask what they can get - or more to the point what Aussies are prepared to pay!

Choice Magazine did an investigation a few years back and said that with everything taken into consideration a $100,000 vehicle in the U.S. should sell for $160,000 in Australia although this obviously isn't the case. That was taking into account the then current dollar value, luxury car tax, import duties, gst, freight and all other other incidental costs. Manufacturers were asked why the discrepancy and some attempted excuses while others like Porsche simply stated that when selling cars into a specific market they first looked at what their competitors were asking, then if they considered their car 10% better, that's where they priced them - in other words, whatever they can get...

I've noticed that vehicle prices, for both new and used cars, works out to be around 250% of U.S. pricing, and has remained roughly this percentage even through changes in the value of the dollar. For example here's some current car costs:

New E63: US$100,000
New E63: AU$250,000

Used E55 US$12,000-$24,000
Used E55 AU$30,000-$60,000

New Porsche 911 GT3 from US$175,900
New Porsche 911 GT3 from AU$365.000

New 2016 BMW M5 from US$94,000
New 2016 BMW M5 from AU$229.000

 

this is nice!

 

Noto to make you feel bad or anything I can spec out a new GT3 for 130K us.

 

Haha I wont feel bad, in fact I'm happy for you, especially if you buy one.
Those were just the RRP that I Googled so prices aren't locked in and I know there's more room for movement from US sellers.

 

You know I never got into the whole bimmer thing. Just never did anything for me. It was probably because when I was young a wealthy friend of my mothers owned an Aussie V8 Commodore which her husband replaced with a 3 series BMW. All she did was complain about it being too small and not having enough power. I imagine this psychologically scarred me against BMW's for life; to consider a "common" old commodore was superior to this obviously inferior import! Obviously the flawed logic of a child believing unquestionably that those with money must know what they're talking about. Actually I really don't think I thought much at all about the implications - or the fact that she later replaced it with an M5 - but anyway I digress... Maybe what I'm trying to say is; she probably would have been happier with an E55... !

 

Love it! Thanks for Sharing.