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2005 Mercedes-Benz C55 AMG Road Test

The Superpower Race Continues!

What compact four-door sedan is sized similar to a Corolla but powered like a Corvette?

Mercedes-Benzs C55 AMG is pretty unassuming from the outside. Only those in the know take a second look, just to make sure of its quad chrome-tipped tailpipes and telltale badging on the rear trunklid. I mean, anyone can add a set of AMG-labeled 18-inch rims to a C320 in order to give the car tuner appeal, or a decklid spoiler to the trunklid for that matter, but tacking on four tailpipes is a little harder to duplicate without spending a fortune. The C55 also features a redesigned lower front fascia, but the changes are subtle and being that the C was updated recently, most wont realize that this particular model is extremely

Sized like a Corolla, but packing the punch of a Corvette, the Mercedes-Benzs C55 AMG is pretty unassuming from the outside. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, American Auto Press)

special.

Its Q-ship status is beneficial if youre not trying to attract attention, but may be a bit of a letdown if you expect awe and reverence from everyday passersby. And of course, this car deserves respect, what with a specially tuned 362-horsepower V8 stuffed into the diminutive engine bay, rear-wheel drive and relatively lightweight construction.

Thats a ton of power for something

This car deserves respect, what with a specially tuned 362-horsepower V8 stuffed into the diminutive engine bay. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, American Auto Press)

sized similarly to the average compact economy car. In comparison to a Toyota Corolla, the regular C-Class is actually 0.15 inches shorter. The C55 adds 3.15 inches over the base C, which still gives it an average economy car length. As for width, height and wheelbase dimensions, these are identical to the regular C-Class and also quite similar to the Civic. Its 1.1 inches wider, which is hardly noticeable to the eye, plus offers a 4.5-inch longer wheelbase, but it rides 3.3 inches closer to the ground, overall, than the Toyota.

Why

Why compare a $13,780 Corolla to a $53,900 C55 AMG? Only to draw attention to its compact dimensions, and its impressive power-to-weight ratio. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, American Auto Press)

compare a $13,780 Corolla to a $53,900 C55 AMG? Only to draw attention to its compact dimensions, which translate, when fitted with M-Bs monster V8, into exhilarating acceleration. As mentioned, the cars normally aspirated 5.5-liter engine makes 362-horsepower. Peak power arrives at 5,750 rpm, with its maximum torque of 376 lb-ft coming on at 4,000 rpm.

Power goes out to the rear wheels via a robust five-speed automatic transmission featuring manual mode, which is actuated either by flicking the shifter from side to side, or through large, paddle-like pull buttons attached to the backside of the steering wheel. The buttons work great, but the

While the five-speed automatic transmission can handle gobs of torque without ever causing a problem, it mars the driving experience. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, American Auto Press)

transmission is quite lethargic for this class of car. When upshifting, the transmission has a mind of its own, only shifting to the next gear when it feels like it. Downshifting happens immediately, or at least it happens after a fairly relaxed interval.

For this reason, it was soon apparent that the C55 is not a direct competitor to BMWs M3 or Audis S4. Rather, its the gentlemans sport sedan, more conservatively suspended as than the rigid Bimmer and less engaging than its rivals 6-speed manual, or in the case of the M3, optional 6-speed sequential manual transmissions. The C55 really appreciates smooth throttle input too. If you put your foot into it, the engine often revs beyond what is needed, and then spins down for too long before shifting into second gear. The shifts

The C55 AMG is totally stable at ridiculous speeds, nimble through tight corners and remains horizontal to the road surface in side to side lane changes. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, American Auto Press)

can be abrupt too; and even more so when downshifting. While the five-speed unit can handle gobs of torque without ever causing a problem, it mars the driving experience.

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