While Mercedes->ke187 was busy revealing the official details on the C63 AMG sedan, its testing engineers were pretty busy working on the C55 AMG Coupe, the most powerful version of the recently launched C-Class coupe.
Besides the fact that it will be a coupe model, the first thing we noticed about the future AMG model was the name: 55. This means that, unlike its sedan brother, the C55 AMG Coupe will use the same twin-turbo 5.5-liter V8 engine that has been used for the CLS63 AMG. As for the output, expect to see something near 420 HP.
The jury's still out on when this new model will be launched, but since the C-Class Coupe version will be making its world debut in March 2011 at the Geneva Motor Show, we expect to see the AMG version sometime next year.
Hit the jump to read more about the Mercedes C55 AMG Coupe.
2013 Mercedes C55 AMG Coupe
- Make: Array
- Model: 2013 Mercedes C55 AMG Coupe
- Engine/Motor: V8
- Horsepower: 420
- [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Exterior and Interior
Remove any ideas that the new C55 AMG will be like any other car we've seen before. In fact, look at a picture of the C63 AMG, imagine it without two of its doors, then add a coupe-like profile, and you may have an idea of what will be seen as the C55 AMG. It will also get a more muscular bonnet, LED daytime running lights, a sports exhaust system, sportier wheels, revised mirrors, chrome elements, and the AMG logo.
For the interior, we would expect to see sports seats in high-quality leather, a new three-spoke AMG performance steering wheel, and different aluminum insertions.
The Engine
After it was rumored that the same twin-turbo 5.5-liter V8 engine would be used for the C-Class sedan, Mercedes decided to stick with the 6.2 liter V8, but the coupe version won't surprise us with this type of last minute confusion. A twin-turbo V8 is more suitable for a sports coupe model, so we don't doubt that Mercedes will opt to use it for the C55 AMG.
In the CLS63 AMG, this V8 delivers a total of 518 HP, but for the C66 AMG we don't expect to get more than 420 HP. Top speed will be limited to 155 mph, but add the optional AMG Performance Package and we could easily get to at least 180 mph.
2012 Mercedes C63 AMG
The Competition
The C55 AMG has been specially created to give the BMW M3 Coupe a run for its money. The M3 is powered by a V8 engine with 420 HP and has a 0-60 mph sprint time of 4.5 seconds. We predict that if BMW doesn't take some sort of action soon, it may begin losing lots of customers to the future C55 AMG.
When Can I Get One?
Do not expect to see the new C55 AMG on the streets before 2013.