There was a time, almost immemorial for some people, when a Mercedes-AMG model with eight cylinders under the hood had to live with less than 400 horsepower, but without feeling like a slouch because of it.
Those times ended around the time when the supercharged 55 AMG models began popping out like mushrooms, but before that the sports division of Mercedes-Benz had to do with supercharged V6s or naturally-aspirated V8s that were based on “regular” engines.
Such a car was the Mercedes-Benz CLK 55 AMG from the second generation of the model (C209), which appeared in 2002 and was only made until 2006, when it was replaced by the much more bonkers CLK 63 AMG with its legendary 6.2-liter M156 engine.
As a matter of fact, the M156 engine and all its derivates are precisely the reason behind the disappearance of its 5.4-liter predecessor from public view, despite the fact that it was once used in various versions on the entire AMG model lineup.
Internally codenamed M113 E 55 EVO, the naturally-aspirated 5.4-liter V8 powering the Mercedes-Benz CLK 55 AMG (C209) developed 367 hp and 510 Nm (376 lb ft) of torque, figures which are now almost equalled by the M133 turbocharged four-cylinder in the 45 AMG models.
This doesn't mean that the CLK 55 AMG was a slow car at the time, as the 5.2 seconds required for it to reach 100 km/h (62 mph) from a standing start were similar to those required by a Porsche 911.
All in all, it's nice to go back from time to time, and seeing a much younger Bernd Schneider at the wheel of the CLK 55 AMG in this promo video should bring some nice DTM memories for some people. Enjoy!
Such a car was the Mercedes-Benz CLK 55 AMG from the second generation of the model (C209), which appeared in 2002 and was only made until 2006, when it was replaced by the much more bonkers CLK 63 AMG with its legendary 6.2-liter M156 engine.
As a matter of fact, the M156 engine and all its derivates are precisely the reason behind the disappearance of its 5.4-liter predecessor from public view, despite the fact that it was once used in various versions on the entire AMG model lineup.
Internally codenamed M113 E 55 EVO, the naturally-aspirated 5.4-liter V8 powering the Mercedes-Benz CLK 55 AMG (C209) developed 367 hp and 510 Nm (376 lb ft) of torque, figures which are now almost equalled by the M133 turbocharged four-cylinder in the 45 AMG models.
This doesn't mean that the CLK 55 AMG was a slow car at the time, as the 5.2 seconds required for it to reach 100 km/h (62 mph) from a standing start were similar to those required by a Porsche 911.
All in all, it's nice to go back from time to time, and seeing a much younger Bernd Schneider at the wheel of the CLK 55 AMG in this promo video should bring some nice DTM memories for some people. Enjoy!