Mercedes-Benz to give the S-Class the AMG treatment

Mercedes-Benz to give the
S-Class the AMG treatment

The sleek, fast and very new S55 AMG from Mercedes-Benz

The constantly moving luxury sedan target – newly established by Mercedes-Benz with the 2000 S-Class sedans – will be elevated yet again in 2001. Mercedes-Benz has announced that the S55 AMG super sedan will enter the U.S. market for model year 2001. The S55 AMG marks the first collaboration between Mercedes-Benz and its high-performance AMG division on an S-Class model.

The new S55 AMG offers all of the class-leading luxury, convenience and refinement of the award-winning S-Class sedans, but it also infuses that luxury with class-leading performance. Powered by a 5.5-liter V8 engine hand-assembled by AMG, which develops 354 horsepower and a stout 391 lbs-ft. of torque, initial performance estimates have the S55 AMG accelerating to 60 mph from rest in just 5.7 seconds. All this speed comes while simultaneously being classified as a Low Emissions Vehicle (LEV).

The S55 AMG engine starts out with an AMG-specific, pressure-cast aluminum V8 block, and continues with unique parts like a forged crankshaft and connecting rods and forged aluminum pistons. AMG engineered both the twin-inlet air cleaner assembly and dual-resonance intake manifold to boost low-to-midrange power, while each cylinder head is carefully prepped to allow airflow for high power across a broad power band.

Delivering that power is a driver-adaptive five-speed electronic automatic transmission with Touch Shift, allowing manual gear selection if the driver chooses. This strong, fully electronic transmission is controlled by a high-performance microprocessor designed to execute shifts as the driver expects and wishes. Continuous electronic networking with engine and chassis management systems allows the transmission to adapt to a wide variety of driving situations, and even to different driving styles.

Additionally, all S55 AMG sedans will be equipped with Mercedes’ revolutionary ABC active suspension wich virtually eliminates body roll in cornering, as well as dive and squat under braking and acceleration. Mercedes-Benz engineers use hydraulic, electronic and mechanical components to reduce body roll by 68 percent, still providing the driver with helpful feedback through the vehicle chassis. A comfort/sport switch on the dash can further reduce roll to 95 percent lower if the driver prefers even sportier handling. Active suspension solves the traditional tradeoff between ride comfort and handling precision, making the S55 AMG sedan dynamically the best of both worlds.

The S55 AMG will also receive uprated brake hardware, commensurate with the additional power and high-speed capabilities of the powertrain and suspension. The S55 interior isn’t forgotten, either. An AMG two-tone Black/Anthracite leather interior with contrasting gray stitching and AMG logos is standard, however, the entire color palette of the S-Class interior is also available at no additional cost.

There are six specific themes to every AMG product: handling ability, braking, acceleration, luxury, exclusivity and practicality. All are equally important, but perhaps the latter is most significant: Silver Star Mercedes-Benz in the Thousand Oaks Auto Mall is able to demonstrate what makes the AMG Mercedes-Benz is special version of an already very special automobile.