2001Mercedes-BenzS55 AMGMercedes-Benz S55 AMG2001 Mercedes-Benz S55 AMGSedanSedanRWDGermanyThe S55 is a new high-performance sedan from AMG based on the luxurious Mercedes S500.Stylish exterior design, high-tech luxury features, performance powerhouse.Complicated COMAND system, some cheap-feeling interior bits, expensive.AMG has been making the most of Mercedes-Benz products for over 30 years. What started as a race shop in 1967 soon graduated to a tuner shop for well-heeled tri-star customers who wanted additional performance from their luxury rides. Finally, in 1998, Mercedes-Benz bought a majority stake in AMG, thus creating an in-house performance division that will eventually put its spin on every class of Mercedes car (or truck, in the case of the ML55). For 2001 the high-end S-Class gets is own AMG version, dubbed the S55. Sporting a 5.5-liter V8 (up .5 liters in displacement from the standard V8 found in the S500) this engine sports such high-tech trickery as a pressure-cast aluminum block, a forged billet steel crankshaft, and weight-matched rods and pistons that provide ultra-smooth rotation from idle to redline. All engines are hand assembled and produce 354 horsepower and 391 foot-pounds of torque while achieving low-emission vehicle (LEV) status. Mated to a five-speed automatic transmission with Touch Shift control (allowing manual gear selection if the driver so chooses) this drivetrain can pull the 4,100-pound S55 up to 60 mph from a dead stop in 5.7 seconds. Upgraded braking components are standard on the S55, as are stiffer shocks and springs and 18-inch wheels and tires. Augmenting the coil springs found at each corner of the S55 is Mercedes' recently developed Active Body Control, or ABC. This system uses hydraulic servos atop each spring that can control body movement based on 13 sensors that update a central control unit every 10 milliseconds. A comfort/sport switch mounted on the S55's dash can be used to select the type of driving experience desired. In comfort mode body motions are reduced by 68 percent through ABC. Switch to Sport mode and body roll is further reduced by 95 percent for a truly spirited ride. Of course, the S55 comes with the standard array of high-tech features expected on a modern Mercedes-Benz, including ABS and Brake Assist (which reduces braking distance in panic stops), Electronic Stability Program (ESP) and BabySmart child-seat protection. Eight airbags are standard, including two head-protection curtain airbags and a passenger airbag that deploys with partial or full force, depending on the car's speed at impact. Also standard on the S55 is the controversial COMAND (Cockpit Management And Data) system, which controls the navigation program, hands-free cellular phone and stereo/CD controls. Another advanced feature is Mercedes' TeleAid function, which puts a driver in touch with a Protection One representative for help in emergencies, roadside assistance or general information. Other S55 features include a GPS-based navigation system, Distronic Cruise Control and Internet access for e-mail junkies on the go. Performance, luxury and safety in an attractive package; high-speed conveyance has never been so good. Audi A8BMW 7-SeriesJaguar XJ-SeriesJaguar XKR450,000450,000UnlimitedUnlimited450,000NANANA85.5 litersV8349 hp @ 5500 rpm391 ft-lbs. @ 3000 rpm203.1 in.73.1 in.56.9 in.4133 lbs.121.5 in.37.6 in.38.4 in.59.2 in.58.3 in.59.2 in.58.3 in.41.3 in.40.3 in.15.4 cu.ft.StandardStandardStandardStandardNot AvailableStandardStandardRating = Not TestedRating = Not TestedNot TestedNot TestedNot TestedNot Tested23.2 gal.16 mpg / 22 mpg371 mi. / 510 mi.Insurance costs can vary greatly for this vehicle, depending on such factors as driver age, driver gender, teenage drivers in the household, driving records, theft loss data for your particular geographic region, miles driven per year, and other widely variable factors. Additionally, some companies charge a premium for certain makes and models, while others do not.$91,140$98,0007.35%$645N/A3% of the Total MSRPS55 AMG (5A): 5.5L V8 SOHC SMPI 24-valve engine (requires premium unleaded fuel); driver's selectable multi-mode 5-speed electronic OD auto-manual transmission with lock-up torque converter; rear-wheel drive, traction control, 2.82 axle ratio; dual stainless steel exhaust with tailpipe finisher; auto ride control, adaptive auto-leveling suspension, electronic stability control, front independent suspension front coil springs, gas-pressurized front shocks, rear independent multi-link suspension with rear coil springs, gas-pressurized rear shocks; rack-and-pinion power steering with vehicle-speed-sensing assist; 4-wheel antilock disc brakes; 23.2 gal. capacity fuel tank; side impact bars; front express open/close sliding and tilting glass sunroof with sunshade; front and rear body-colored bumpers with body-colored rub strip, chrome bumper insert; body-colored bodyside molding with chrome bodyside insert, rocker panel extensions; clearcoat monotone paint; aero-composite high intensityauto on headlamps with washer, daytime running lights, delay-off feature; additional exterior lights include front fog/driving lights; driver's and passenger's body-colored heated power folding outside mirrors with turn signal indicators, driver's power remote auto-dimming outside mirror, passenger's power remote with tilt down outside mirror; front 18" x 8.5" and rear 18" x 9.5" polished alloy wheels; P245/45YR18 front and P275/40YR18 rear BSW performance tires; full-size alloy spare wheel; dual-zone front air conditioning with climate control, air filter, rear heat ducts, residual heat recirculation; premium AM/FM stereo radio, seek-scan feature, cassette player, CD changer pre-wiring, 10 premium speakers, auto equalizer, theft deterrent, window grid diversity antenna, radio steering wheel controls; cruise control; power door locks with 2-stage unlock, remote keyless entry, child-safety rear door locks, power remote hatch/trunk release, power remote fuel door release; cell phonepre-wiring, 3 power accessory outlets, front and rear lighter element(s), trunk pull-down, driver's foot rest, garage door opener, smokers' package, first aid kit, emergency S.O.S.; instrumentation display includes tachometer, water temperature gauge, in-dash clock, exterior temp, systems monitor, trip computer, trip odometer, navigation system; warning indicators include water temp, battery, low oil level, low coolant, lights on, key in ignition, low fuel, low washer fluid, bulb failure, door ajar, trunk ajar, service interval, brake fluid; driver's and passenger's front airbags, driver's and front passenger's door mounted side airbags, overhead airbag; ignition disable, panic alarm, tracker system, security system; tinted windows, power front and rear windows with front and rear 1-touch down function; heated variable intermittent front windshield wipers, rain detecting wipers, sun visor strip, rear window defroster; seating capacity of 5, front bucket seats, heated-cushion driver'sand passenger's seats, power adjustable tilt headrests, center armrest with storage, driver's seat includes 12-way power adjustment, massaging lumbar support, passenger's seat includes 12-way power adjustment, massaging lumbar support; rear bench seat with power adjustable headrests, center armrest with storage; front and rear height adjustable seatbelts with front and rear pretensioners; leather seats, leather door trim insert with carpet lower, full cloth headliner, full carpet floor covering with carpeted floor mats, genuine wood dashboard insert, leather-wrapped gearshift knob, genuine wood door panel insert, genuine wood console insert, chrome interior accents; memory on driver's and passenger's seats with 2 memory setting(s) includes settings for rearview mirror, exterior mirrors, steering wheel, headrests; interior lights include dome light with fade, front and rear reading lights, 4 door curb lights, illuminated entry; leather-wrapped steering wheel with power tilt andtelescopic adjustment; dual illuminated vanity mirrors; auto-dimming day/night rearview mirror; rear illuminated vanity mirror; full floor console, mini overhead console locking glove box with light, front and rear cupholders, interior concealed storage, 2 seatback storage pockets, refrigerated/cooled box, driver's and passenger's door bins, rear door bins; carpeted cargo floor, carpeted trunk lid, cargo net, cargo light; chrome grille, chrome side window moldings, black front windshield molding, black rear window molding and chrome door handles.