Mercedes-Benz is aggressively staking out the performance-sedan market niche with special editions that cover its three platforms. All are spectacularly
able to fulfill the expectations of executives who want a comfortable
performance sedan that imposes few compromises on the owner, save for the
amount of gasoline consumed by a large supercharged engine.

The mid-sized E-Class sedan is the latest to get the treatment. The E-Class
was completely revised for the 2003 model year and the gift to
gasoline-crazed luxury car buyers is the E55 AMG, a special model with tons
of special performance equipment, courtesy of AMG. The initials AMG indicate
a division of Mercedes-Benz that specializes in the development and
manufacturing of high-performance street and racing vehicles. AMG on a
Mercedes vehicle is equivalent to the model designation M in the BMW line.

What most impresses the speed-addicted driver is the supercharged V-8 engine that delivers an unbelievable amount of power and makes the E55 a favorite in the performance wars. How special is this engine? It just grabbed first
place in the International Engine of the Year awards, awarded by an
international panel of 50 journalists representing 22 countries.

The AMG V-8 engine is essentially hand built and is bench-tested after
assembly to verify its specs. The engine deploys a screw-type supercharger
that delivers cool, pressurized air to the engine to increase horsepower and
torque from the lowest speeds. Other mechanical tweaks include a fast-acting
electronic throttle, revised cam timing, high-rate valve springs and
lightweight valves. The result is one of the most impressive engines on the
planet and enough power to scoot the car from zero to 60 miles per hour in
less than five seconds.  The car also delivers astonishing bursts of passing
power, regardless of vehicle speed.

A great engine deserves a great transmission and the precise-shifting
five-speed automatic unit supplied in the E55 is without peer. The Mercedes
transmission easily adapts to a manual mode of operation. While the
transmission is in the Drive position a quick tap on the gearshift to the
left initiates a downshift and a tap to the right an upshift. It¹s a simple
motion and it works flawlessly. And most importantly, the motion is very
intuitive. 

The suspension is enhanced to provide precise control with an AMG sports
suspension that features special shock absorbers and stabilizers developed
for the car¹s active air suspension. This platform provides excellent
feedback and pin-point precision on mountain roads. But the real advantage
in the AMG setup is an excellent ride quality that belies the ferocious
nature of the car. You could give your mom a ride without shaking her to
pieces or revealing just how far you¹ve wandered from the straight and
narrow path.

Styling is very important in the luxury market, even for performance sedans.
The E-Class has an interesting balance of tradition in its styling,
particularly resident in the prominent grille and three-pointed star which
have distinguished the brand over most of the last 100 years. But the
current E-Class doesn¹t live by nostalgia alone. Its sloping front end with
integrated oval headlights is a refreshing adaptation on the classic
Mercedes look. And in the luxury market a combination of historical
reference updated in contemporary terms seems to be the ticket to the
winner¹s circle and the big-time European manufacturers do this very well.

While the E55 is a blast to drive, it falls just short of perfection. My
quibbles have to do with the interior. While I cannot fault the car¹s
high-quality materials, I again must question Mercedes-Benz¹ grasp of
ergonomics. The center console remains difficult to use. It contains a
myriad of buttons that defy easy comprehension and use. Sure you can resort
to the equally complex owners manual, but who has an hour to spare to learn
how to tune the radio. Also on my list of gripes is the central instrument
cluster. I found the dials and numerals not particularly easy to read, which
is very important in a car that can reach "go directly to jail" speeds in a
few seconds.
 

Vehicle:  Mercedes-Benz E55

Price as tested: $79,835

Engine:

         Type: 5.5-liter V-8

         Horsepower: 469 @ 6,100 rpm

         Torque: 516-ft. lbs. @ 2,650 rpm

Fuel economy, automatic transmission

         City - 14 mpg

         Highway - 21 mpg

Curb Weight: 2,360 kg.