2005 Mercedes C Class Review

Specifications

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 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 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 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 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 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.

Handling, however, is phenomenal. I took it up my usual “road course,” in behind my home on a particularly serpentine stretch of mountain roadway. The road is mostly two-lane, mixed pavement compounds and often has dramatic dips where the road bed underneath the tarmac has eroded. If I get a performance-oriented tester, I normally take it to the top of the mountain in order to compare it to others Ive had previously. Ive had M3s, S4s, RS6s, SL55 AMGs, 911 Turbos, Lotus Esprit V8s, and many others on the hill, but few are as stable at high-speed than the C55. For instance, I took a new Corvette up there about two weeks ago, and the C55 was capable of more speed… at least more controllable speed. Im not going to say that it is better or worse than the Vette, or the more comparable M3, S4 or Cadillac CTS-V, but only that 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. It does it all with a comfortable ride too, which is more than can be said for the M3. It can hold its own in braking too.

One thing the C55 has over its rivals is the most sumptuous of cabins. It feels much bigger inside than it is, and its choice of materials and expert craftsmanship is evident. The C-Class has come a long way since being upgraded earlier this year, and the attention paid to fit, finish and materials quality shows in the C55 as well. I especially like the real aluminum trim, “embossed” with horizontal lines. The optional Harmon/Kardon audio system is excellent, HVAC controls easy to use and nicely weighted, plus the buttons and other switchgear makes me feel that long-term durability wont be a problem.

The seats are also wonderfully comfortable, and up to the task of supporting each body part while being pitched around inside the cockpit. Suede-like Alcantara has been added to the top portions of each side bolster, adding a little more grip to the shoulder area in order to keep the back in place during hard cornering. Those sitting in back dont get such safety features, but can nevertheless enjoy better than average legroom while secure in the knowledge that side-curtain airbags come standard.

Its trunk is large for its class too, at 15.2 cubic feet, and beautifully finished in rich carpeting. It is such attention to detail that separates the C55 AMG from other compact models, and justifies its significant increase in investment.

Im not going to spend a great deal of your time running over standard and optional features, as you can visit the Mercedes-Benz Canada website for that or peruse the technical specification section of this website. What matters is that the C55 AMG comes with just about everything a luxury car buyer could ever want, and then some, plus everything works in an intuitive way that makes living with the car extremely enjoyable.