I surely hope that the faster steering rack and stiffer front shock absorbers from the upcoming CLS 55 are retrofittable to the W211 E55. Same goes with the CLS's revised software for the Sensotronic brakes, which are reported to be more progressive and therefore more modulatable (and therefore loads more confidence-inspiring!!!). Please see the following quote from the 5 October 2004 issue of Autocar (Pages 26-27):


"Just goes to show what can be achieved by fine-tuning the chassis. The key to the CLS's more fluent handling is the 10 per cent quicker steering rack (not suprisingly, it also becomes standard on the E55 from November production!!!!!), fitted to all (CLS) variants. For the CLS, AMG stiffened the rack's mounting bushes to add further precision at the helm. Mercedes' Airmatic suspension is standard on the CLS55, the ride height set 10mm lower."


"AMG's engineers also played with the front dampers, but left the spring rates and rear dampers alone, although the rear suspension is now mostly steel (rather than alloy), and driveshafts and prop shaft reinforced to cope with the added torque. The dampers are 30 per cent stiffer in compression and 10 per cent stiffer in rebound (in all three modes). Subtle changes only, but they verify the regular CLS chassis' more driver oriented character."


"Subtle development has reduced the electro-hydraulic braking's over-servoed all-or-nothing pedal feel. The massive cross-drilled discs (eight-piston front calipers, four-piston rear) kill speed quickly, and are now sufficiently PROGRESSIVE to allow the driver to softly brush the pedal, meaning you can set the car up for the next corner without pitch upsetting the balance."


"MISTAKE. THIRTY SECONDS of wheel-time in the new CLS55 AMG was all it took to understand the this is the AMG hotrod we should have compared with BMW's new M5. Not that a CLS super-saloon was on hand three weeks ago (Autocar, 21 September) but, with the benefit of all-knowing hindsight, the far more sporting CLS would give BMW's new icon a tougher fight. No, we're not saying CLS AMG would triumph over M5 - that verdict must wait for another comparison - but the fight would be closer, more compelling......And we can't wait to see the new Merc go head-to-head with the M5."


Lets cross our fingers that we can incorporate these desperately needed changes to our existing W211 E55s. Since the CLS and E-Class share the same platform, hopefully this will be achievable.

 

The CLS is simply a restyled E class, so I'm sure MB will change out the improvements over to the E55 next year, when the CLS55 debuts.