ROAD TEST: MERCEDES-BENZ E55

It's called the E55 and for all its zoominess, only your confirmed speed addict knows how to spot the high-zoot version of Mercedes' E-Class sedan in the rush-hour shuffle. 

The signatory styling cues: a front air dam, side skirts, a rear apron, mono-block AMG wheels and AMG E55 silver badging on the rear decklid. Serious as it is, there's nothing really gaudy or imposing about the E55's looks. Call it the Chow Yung Fat of cars.

Or, like me, you can call it the flagship of inconspicuous consumption, the poster (bad) boy of subtle snobbery. I mean, we're talking about 0-100 km/h times of around five seconds. Stab the throttle and snap goes your head, back like the pilot of an F-18 leaving the deck of the USS Enterprise. This sedan boasts 41 pound-feet more torque than Chevrolet's prodigious Corvette. It's a flat torque curve, too, which means power just keeps coming, gear, after gear, after gear...

Top speed: electronically limited to 250 km/h. Exclusive? Only 500 will be sold in Canada over a four-year period, another 2,000 in the U.S. Pricey? Just under a cool hundred Gs ($98,900). 
And high tech? You bet. There are state-of-the-art stability systems designed to keep you in control even if you're way, way over your head in a corner. That's not to say you should try them out, but if you need help, it's there.

Here's how the systems work. ASR (automatic stability control) traction control detects when one of the rear drive wheels is spinning faster than the other--one is slipping--and then selectively applies brake pressure and backs off the electronic throttle to re-establish straight-line traction.

Then there is the Electronic Stability Program or ESP. If you find yourself spinning or sliding, sensors tell a computer brain, which corrects for either understeer or oversteer. (Indy 500 winner Danny Sullivan once described these conditions to me. He said, "Understeer means you're going to hit the wall nose-first because the car is plowing; oversteer means you're going to hit the wall tail-first, because the back end is stepping out.") 

ESP has the ability to brake one wheel in order to keep the car going where you're steering it. It's on and working all the time.
A couple of other techie stuff worth mentioning: twin-plug ignition-two spark plugs per cylinder-an oil quality monitor that tells you what shape the lifeblood of your car is in, and Brake Assist, which reduces panic stopping distances,.
Most all of the above can be had on your basic E-class sedan. Where the E55 differs dramatically is in the after-market tweaking that's gone on-tweaking done by AMG. 

Daimler Chrysler, by they way, recently purchased a majority interest in AMG, which has long been a premier tuner and racer of Mercedes-Benz vehicles. In fact, the E55 is the latest and best example of what AMG can do-the newest "Hammer," if you will.

Bury your right foot in the throttle and the 5.5-litre V8 engine tingles the spine with a chorus of threatening growls and rumbles. AMG has done a host of tricks to this engine, which starts out as a standard 5.0-litre Mercedes V8. There are special camshafts, a unique crankshaft, a modified air intake, a special electronic control unit... Oh, what magic.

The transmission is a custom five-speed automatic with silky shifting that adapts itself to individual driving styles. The sport-tuned AMG suspension includes Bilstein gas shocks, progressive-rate coil springs, beefy stabilizer bars and high-pressure, low-profile rubber at each corner. All the luxury goodies, including leather, are standard.

For safety, there are standard front and door-mounted side airbags, ABS, and full side head protection curtains that work with the door-mounted bags to help protect both front and rear occupants from hitting side glass or roof pillars. The air-filled curtains can also block flying glass splinters and the like. Each curtain deploys from the ceiling above the side windows in 25 milliseconds, extending from A- to C-pillar. Naturally, this car has a pretty robust body structure, too-the kind that's strong in the right places, but crunches like an accordion on a crash to absorb energy before it gets to occupants.

Interestingly, the E55 does not want for competitors. BMW has its 400 hp. M5, Jaguar offers the 370 hp. XJR and Lexus has its 300 hp. GS400. 

The Jag is the most elegant, the Lexus the most wild and least expensive and the Mercedes is the most comfortable on a long Autobahn tour. Now it's time for some serious seat time in the M5. It's due in Canada late this year. I'll let you know what I find out.

2000 MERCEDES-BENZ E55

Engine: (front engine/rear-wheel drive) 5.5-litre V8 w/3 valves per cylinder operated by single overhead camshaft; variable valve timing; electronic engine management/fuel injection; 349 hp. at 5,500 rpm; torque rated at 391 lbs-ft at 3,000 rpm.
Transmission: five-speed electronically controlled automatic.
Steering: power-assist rack-and-pinion.
Brakes: power-assisted front disc-rear disc with anti-lock system and driving stability control system.
Tires: front: P245/40ZR18; rear: P275/35ZR18 performance radials.
Fuel economy (litres/100 km): NA.
Wheelbase: 2,832 mm (111.5 in.).
Curb weight: 1,683 kg (3,710 lbs).
Price (MSRP base): $98,900.
Key standard equipment: heated sport seats, leather upholstery, black bird's eye maple woodtrim, power glass sunroof, Bose sound system, dual-zone climate control, Xenon headlights w/washers, rain sensor automatic wipers, security system, power windows/door locks/mirrors, electric rear sunshade.
Key options: Parktronic sonar alert system.
J.D Power & Associates 1998 Initial Quality Rating (industry average 176):
Mercedes vehicle lineup: 153
E-class: 105
Consumer Reports Predicted Reliability: average (recommended).
Performance in 0-100 km/h: 5.1 seconds (est.)
Safety: dual airbags; head protection system; four-wheel ABS; stability control system and traction control; no available rating for driver/passenger crash protection; no available rating for collision claims; no available rating for comprehensive claims; no available rating for headrest protection (new model); meets side impact standards; anti-theft.
Warranty:
Basic: 4 years/80,000 km.
Major components: 5 yrs./120,000 km.
Rust perforation: 5 yrs./unl. km.
Roadside assistance: 4 yrs./unl. km.
Maintenance: 6 months/12,000 km.

Pros
* Amazing performance
* Powerful styling presence
Cons
* Price