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already potent motor to a 302 hp/302 lb-ft C-Class crescendo.
Performance was only a couple of tenths faster than the inline-six-
powered C36, but putting V8-power in the compact C-Class was
another bold statement of AMG’s proficiency and intent.
AMG offered an option for C43 buyers looking for even more V8-
grunt, with the C55. For an additional $25,000 on top of the almost
$50,000 for a C43, AMG would yank the 4.3-liter V8 and shoehorn
Fine Books © Dalton Watson Fi in the same 5.4-liter mill powering the bigger and brawnier E55.
Additional upgrades included:
A new rear end with higher final drive ratio gears
A freer-flowing exhaust
Recalibrated engine programming and speedometer
Fat 18-inch AMG wheels/rubber
Built for 1996-97 on the new (W210) E-Class platform for the European
market, the E50 AMG was a further step forward in refinement. Its hand-
The C55 AMG achieved mini Hammer status, belting out 362
built AMG motor made 347 hp/354 lb-ft. The E50’s well-integrated aero
hp/376 lb-ft, outgunning the C36/C43 to 60 mph in 5.2 seconds
applications (ground effects kit) helped the big sedan slice through the
and through the 1⁄4-mile in the high 13 seconds at over 105 mph.
wind at autobahn speeds.
Along with AMG’s astounding C-Class iterations, the mid-to-late
1990s saw two E-Class variants become legends. First was the
As per AMG-usual, power was impressive, at 347 hp/354 lb-ft. It
chronological and technical successor to the fabled E500, badged
propelled the 3,850 lb E50 to 60 mph in 6.0 seconds, on the way
as the E50 AMG. Mainly for the left-hand-drive European market
to an electronically limited 156 mph top speed.
© Dalton Watson Fine Books © Dalton Watson Fine Books and built on the 1996-1997 facelifted (dual-circular headlights) W210
platform, the E50 featured:
It was not just how fast the E50 could go, but more importantly, how
it got there and back. The E50 was the perfect example of AMG/
An AMG-worked 5.0-liter V8
Mercedes flexing their muscles in unison, offering a truly balanced
32-valve quad cam cylinder heads
and comprehensive super sedan. Besides the engine modification,
A dual-inlet intake/free-flow exhaust
the speed doctors at AMG applied a more functional, aerodynamic
18
front apron, rear bumper and bodyside ground effects to smooth
Larger AMG 18-inch Monoblock wheels with Bridgestone
S-02 tires
the big E’s drag coefficient. Redesigned front brakes with twin-
piston calipers, aluminum hats and iron rotors, joined the SL600’s
rear binders in hauling the E50 down from autobahn speeds.
© Dalton Watson Fine Books © Dalton Watson Fine Books The upgraded five-speed automatic transmission with sport-mode
selector featured an anti-slip-regulation (ASR) feature. The ASR
could be disengaged, leaving the braking duties of the traction
control system in charge up until 50 mph. The cockpit was option-
loaded, top-of-the-line E-Class, with the addition of AMG-specific
two-tone leather seats and steering wheel. Like its predecessors,
the E50 AMG was built in a limited quantity, but left a lasting and
significant impression.
On January 1, 1999, Hans Werner Aufrecht signed a majority stake
(51 percent) of AMG over to then DaimlerChrysler AG. Also, in 1999,
AMG’s motorsport department was absorbed by Aufrecht’s personal
firm (HWA AG), where, together with Mercedes-Benz Motorsport,
the two companies continued their winning ways in the German
alton Watson Fine Books © Dalton Watson Touring Car Championship (DTM).
INTRODUCTION // CONCEPTION CADILLAC’S V-SERIES Even more significant to the subject of this book, the E55 AMG
made its American debut as a 1999 model. Yes, the Hammer had
pounded into automotive history, the C36/43/55 followed suit and
TOP: AMG showed its mettle and guts once again, stuffing a reworked
the E60/50 had advanced like high-performance panzers in the left
version of the 275 hp/295 lb-ft 4.3L V8 (M113) motor out of the new (W210)
lane of the Autobahn and back roads of the old country. But it is
E430 into the C-Class, for the C43 AMG. With 302 hp/302 lb-ft, the C43
the (W210) E55 that deserves full credit for igniting the AMG super
was a little powerhouse and set the trend for models to come.
sedan torch that burns to this day. The E55 became the benchmark,
ABOVE: The C55 AMG’s performance humbled its C36 and C43 brethren
not only for AMG, but for other German marques, and as will be
shown, the yet-to-be-conceived Cadillac V-Series.
with a 5-sec 0-60 mph sprint.
ine Books ©
