04 Dec 06
With the E55, Mercedes' performance brand AMG proved that it could mix it with the M mob from BMW and the RS brigade from Audi. In 2002 just over £60k bought you huge dollops of power and torque that put it ahead of any other rival. Mercedes had virtually transplanted the 5.5-litre supercharged engine from the AMG SL55 sports coupe/convertible.
Even if you never go anywhere its electronically limited top speed of 155mph, 469bhp and 516lb-ft of torque sounds very impressive, and what it actually means is that if you're planning to shrink a continent an E55 is a great way to do it. Certainly the speed in a straight line takes your breath away: 100mph will show up in just over ten seconds and getting to 155mph couldn't be easier. Some will point to its lack of agility compared to a BMW M5, or even an Audi RS6, but neither of those has the E55's comfort and understated style.
