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fasteddy:
May 11, 1999
 
Mercedes-Benz Unleashes 1999 E55 Supercar 
 
Toronto (May 11) ? Mercedes-Benz has unleashed yet another V8-powered four-door supercar, the autobahn-burning, AMG-modified E55. Bringing blazing performance, ultra-luxury and exclusivity to the award-winning E-Class model line, the E55 will be available in limited numbers - about 500 over a four-year period. For 1999, the E55 has a suggested retail price of $98,900. For the first time in the Canadian market, Mercedes-Benz offers two AMG-modified supercars - the C-Class based C43 joined the model line in 1998 and will continue its limited production run in 1999 and 2000.

Not since the legendary 500E of the early 1990s has Mercedes-Benz offered an E-Class model in Canada with this level of supercar performance and exclusivity. With 349 horsepower and an enormous 391 lbs.-ft. of torque from a 5.5-litre V8 engine built exclusively for this model, the Mercedes-Benz E55 can blast from zero-to-100 km/h in an estimated 5.4 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 250 kilometres per hour.

Supercar-level performance comes from much more than sheer power. The E55 suspension, brakes and driveline have been suitably fortified with a combination of Mercedes-Benz and AMG-developed parts, demonstrating the inherent strength, integrity and versatility of the E-Class.

Visually, the E55 exudes a powerful yet understated presence, with AMG-designed and installed lower-body and valance panels setting it apart from other E-Class models.

AMG Brings Racing Technology To The Road

AMG is the premier tuner and racer of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, and is entrusted with running the company's GT racing effort. With the AMG-built CLK-GTR racecars, Mercedes-Benz captured the FIA-GT championship two years in a row. Mercedes-Benz recently purchased a majority interest in AMG, and will continue to develop Mercedes/AMG vehicles through this partnership.

At the E-Class assembly facility in Sindelfingen, Germany, E-Class bodies are equipped with E55-specific interiors and bodywork. These bodyshells are shipped to the AMG facility in Affalterbach, less than an hour's drive away. There, AMG installs the 5.5-litre V8 (which is a modified version of the 5.0-litre V8 from the SL500), the transmission from the Mercedes V12 models, the E55-specific suspension components (springs, shocks and stabilizer bars) and exhaust system. The cars then return to Sindelfingen for a final Mercedes-Benz quality inspection.

5.5 Litres of Fury

The 5.5-litre AMG powerplant is based on the new-generation Mercedes-Benz 5.0-litre V8, which made its debut in the 1999 SL500. In enthusiast's terms, the E55 V8 is a "stroker." Engine displacement is increased from the stock 4,966 cc to 5,439 cc by installing a special crankshaft with connecting rod journals that are 4 mm further from the centerline of the crankshaft. This increased offset lengthens the complete stroke by 8 mm. Manufactured from a fresh billet of forged steel, this long-stroke crankshaft is made exclusively for the E55. The crankshaft is dynamically balanced, and connecting rods and pistons are selected for each engine in equal weight-matched sets. This attention to detail ensures that the big V8 produces smooth, low-vibration power.

To feed the increased displacement, AMG "breathes" on the top end of the E55 V8 to get more air into its larger combustion chambers. At the top of the E55 V8 is an all-new dual-tube air cleaner assembly for more airflow. The air inlet tubes are positioned to take in cooler air for a ram effect. A key to the broad torque band of the new-generation Mercedes V8 is its dual path intake manifold, which already features some of the longest intake pipes in the industry, a plus which provides outstanding low- and mid-range power.

AMG modifies the original magnesium intake manifold with a wider cross-section to increase airflow. As in the standard Mercedes manifold, the AMG piece features long intake passages which spiral around to each cylinder. Incorporated into the manifold are flaps (one for each cylinder) that are closed below about 3,700 rpm, forcing intake air to take a "long route" through the manifold and build up pressure waves which boost the intake flow and improve low- and mid-range torque.

At higher speeds, the flaps open, allowing intake air to take a shorter, more direct route to the cylinders for maximum high-speed power and efficiency. The electronic engine control unit determines precisely when the flaps are open and closed. The E55 uses a specific electronic control unit (ECU) to manage the increased-displacement V8, and fuel injectors have been matched to the increased airflow.

AMG retains the twin-sparkplug/three-valve single-overhead cam head design, but replaces the standard camshafts with new modular cams and installs higher-tension valve springs. The hollow construction of the standard camshafts makes them light, and the AMG cams are lighter still. Valve size is the same as the stock V8, but the AMG cams provide longer valve opening times for increased power.

Quarterback And Captain of The Debating Team

Harnessing the power and torque of the E55 is the perfect driving mate - a sophisticated automatic transmission that "learns" to read the driver?s inputs and adapt to them. The transmission itself is the high-torque capacity unit from the 6.0-litre V12-powered Mercedes models. A computer adjusts shifting logic for leisurely driving with quick, smooth upshifts for the best fuel efficiency. A driver who wants frequent bursts of acceleration, on the other hand, will find the transmission holds each gear longer for quick acceleration. A "winter" mode helps enhance traction by starting in second gear and shifting at lower engine speeds.

AMG modifies the sophisticated double wishbone front suspension and refined five-link rear suspension systems of the E55 to give it a combination of handling response and ride comfort unheard of in a supercar. First, AMG specifies front and rear springs with a 35 percent higher rate than the stock Mercedes E430. The AMG-specified Bilstein gas-pressurized shock absorbers feature digressive-action two-part pistons and built-in tension springs, which help limit roll and improve stability.

"Digressive" essentially means less damping ("softer") over smaller bumps at lower speeds for a smooth ride, and increased damping ("stiffer") over higher-frequency bumps for maximum control. Response is tuned to be more linear than the stock units on the E430. The suspension geometry helps prevent front-end dive during braking. A beefy E55-specific 29-mm solid stabilizer bar completes the setup, compared to the 26-mm hollow stabilizer on the E430. On the rear, AMG installs a 20-mm solid stabilizer in back, compared to the 17-mm hollow bar on the E430.

The Mercedes-Benz C43 brought AMG racing-derived brake design (front brakes) to the road, and the E55 likewise shares in this technology. Two-piston floating calipers and two-piece floating discs control heat better than one-piece rotors and stand up to hard, repeated usage. Adapted from AMG race cars, the discs float on a circle of steel pins, which minimize heat transfer to the wheel hubs, bearings and suspension parts. The front brake discs are massive at 33.5 cm. The vented 30 cm rear brakes are taken from the V12-powered SL600 roadster.

AMG specifies super-large wheels and tires for the E55, including a "staggered" arrangement (rear tires wider and lower-profile than the front tires). The wheels are alloy "monoblock" design, 8" x 18" in front and an even more massive 9" x 18" in the rear. Tires are ultra-low profile, with a high-performance tread: 245/40ZR-18 in front, and 275/35ZR-18 in back.

With Power Brings Responsibility And Safety

While the E55 elevates the E-Class to supercar performance status, the Mercedes-Benz safety standard remains the cornerstone of its engineering. As on every 1999 Mercedes-Benz, the E55 comes standard with front and door-mounted side airbags, as well as ABS anti-lock brakes. In addition, all 1999 Mercedes-Benz passenger vehicles come with Brake Assist, which can reduce stopping distance in emergency braking situations. Brake Assist can detect an emergency or panic stop by how quickly the brake pedal is applied. With lightning speed, it then applies full braking boost faster than a driver could.

The 1999 E-Class sedans were the first cars to market with full side head protection curtains. This new safety advance works in conjunction with door-mounted side airbags to help prevent both front and rear occupants from hitting their heads on the side window or roof pillars in a severe side collision.

In addition, the air-filled cushion can block glass splinters or other objects that could cause injury in a side impact or rollover. Over 180 cm long, 35 cm in height and about 5 cm thick, each curtain bag deploys from the ceiling from directly above the side windows in about 25 milliseconds and extends from the A-pillar to the C-pillar on each side.

For safe driving in slippery conditions, ASR traction control is standard on all E-Class models. This sophisticated system detects when one rear wheel is spinning faster than the other and selectively applies the brake to that wheel to restore straight-line traction and stability. Should braking action not be enough, ASR will reduce engine power by backing off the electronic throttle, more quickly than the driver could.

The extraordinary Electronic Stability Program (ESP), which is standard on the E55, can detect and help prevent an impending spin or slide. ESP actually corrects understeer ("plowing") and oversteer ("fishtailing") by braking one wheel, thus helping to keep the car going where the driver is steering it. The system is always on, working at all speeds on all road surfaces.

All 1999 Mercedes-Benz passenger vehicles are equipped with the BabySmart? automatic child seat recognition system, a Mercedes-Benz innovation that uses transponder technology to deactivate the front passenger-side airbag in the presence of a BabySmart-compatible infant or child booster seat (available from Mercedes dealers). Note: At the time of press, the toddler restraint system is not approved for use in Canada.

Super-Luxury Standard

Inside the Mercedes-Benz E55, the driver's quarters mix the modern with the classic, starting with a thick-rim steering wheel for better grip in "faster than normal" maneuvers. AMG specifies heated high-bolstered sport seats. Full leather upholstery is standard, and the seats are upholstered in the buyer's choice of black, black/blue or black/ silver. When one of the two-tone interior schemes is chosen, the top half of the wheel rim is matched to the second interior colour - silver or blue. The instrument faces are ivory in colour, contributing to a classic sports car appearance. The black bird's eye maple wood trim is exclusive to the E55.

So well equipped is the E55 that the only options available are Parktronic along with the cellular telephone and CD changer dealer installed options. The full complement of luxury amenities includes a power glass sunroof, Bose? sound system, dual-zone automatic climate control and a power tilt-and-telescope steering wheel, Xenon gas discharge high-intensity headlights with headlight washers, rain sensor automatic intermittent windshield wipers, electric rear sunshade and remote locking/unlocking with the SmartKey security system.

Peace of Mind

All 1999 Mercedes-Benz models come with a four-year/80,000 km limited warranty, and a five-year/120,000 km major component warranty. In addition, the 24-hour Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance Program covers all Mercedes vehicles. This peace of mind can include a jump-start, mounting the spare tire or a few litres of fuel, even for those driving a decades-old Mercedes.

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