Description
While the cooperation between the two companies had started much earlier, Mercedes-Benz took a controlling interest in AMG in 1999. Then, it became the sole owner of the tuner in 2005, sparking a plethora of German muscle cars in the process. Among the large array of AMG-powered sedans, coupes, and roadsters launched after 1999, the Mercedes-Benz E 55 AMG (W211) unveiled in 2002 is arguably the first AMG E-Class to significantly dent BMW M5 sales and spark the still-ongoing power race between German premium sedans.
Its predecessor, also named E 55, featured a hand-built, naturally aspirated 5.4-liter V8 with 354 PS (349 HP) and 530 NM (391 lb-ft) of torque. While those numbers were adequate for the '90s, the W211 E-Class AMG revolutionized output figures in its segment.
Upon its debut in September 2002 at the Paris Motor Show, the Mercedes-Benz E 55 AMG (W211) won the title as the fastest production sedan in the world, demolishing plenty of power and acceleration records in the process. Its hand-built powerplant was a 5.4-liter V8 with a Lysholm-type supercharger manufactured by IHI, developing no less than 476 PS (469 HP) and a tire-scorching 700 Nm (516 lb-ft) of torque. Codenamed M113K, the now-legendary V8 won International Performance Engine of the Year for 2003.
Despite Mercedes-Benz already introducing a more modern 7-speed automatic transmission, the E 55 was still using the tried-and-true 5G-Tronic because it had improved torque capacity, sending all that oomph to the rear wheels.
Harnessing all that power was an AMG-tuned Airmatic suspension with three different driving settings and a lift mode. Stopping power came from a set of 14.2-inch (360 mm) ventilated brake discs with no less than eight-piston calipers at the front and 13-inch (330 mm) with four-piston calipers at the rear. Like the engine, which was a slightly detuned version of the SL 55 AMG powertrain, the braking system was taken straight out of the quickest roadster in the Mercedes lineup.
Despite being only rear-wheel-drive, the beast of a powertrain could propel the executive sedan from 0 to 100 kph (62 mph) in a mere 4.7 seconds officially and a lot quicker in unofficial tests. Overall, it was not the best around a racetrack, but a true Autobahn killer in the vein of other traditional big Mercedes-Benz sedans with big engines.
Compared to a non-AMG model, the E 55 could be spotted by several aesthetic differences, starting with the now classic A-shaped front bumper, aerodynamic side skirts, and quad exhaust tips. The slightly wider front and rear tracks with 18-inch, AMG-specific wheels also played their part in differentiating it from a regular E 500, for example.
The understated sportiness of the exterior continued inside the model, with the four passengers being treated with high-quality leather, aluminum, and other expensive materials. Comfortable but supportive seats were also standard, alongside a plethora of safety features like PRe-Safe, adaptive cruise control with automatic braking, electronic stability control, and multiple airbags.
