MERCEDES BENZ S 55 AMG (W220) 2002-2005 Photos, engines & full specs

AMG tuned the facelifted version of the W220 Mercedes-Benz S-Class and transformed the big luxury barge into a fast executive sedan.

Mercedes-Benz had its factory tuner division, namely AMG. It was a small department, compared to the MB size, yet it managed to get on the covers of most car magazines in the world. Since their early development stages, AMG had access to vehicles and knew what to do to make them fast, safe, and reliable. Maybe they were not the fastest tuned-versions for a Mercedes-Benz, but they were the most-desired versions for any Mercedes-Benz cars.

AMG had the difficult mission to make some changes to the car's exterior, but without compromising its elegant overall look. The engineers from Affalterbach installed a new front bumper that sported an A-shaped lower grille in the apron and two side-scoops. A set of extended side sills adorned the sides, matching the front bumper. A new set of twin-spoke, 18" light-alloy-wheels stamped by AMG was fitted as standard. In the back, Mercedes' in-house tuner installed a new bumper to make room for the four oval-shaped exhausts.

Inside, the S-55 AMG featured most of the luxury items offered by a full-option S-Class, with a leather-clad interior and high-bolstered seats. In the instrument cluster, the AMG version sported white-faced gauges.

AMG installed a naturally aspirated 5.4-liter V-8 and paired it to a five-speed automatic gearbox. For the suspension, the standard Active Body Control system worked hard to keep the car leveled under hard accelerating or braking maneuvers. The same technology was responsible for the improved cornering speed compared to the standard S-Class.