When the Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG came out in 2003 it was obvious that it aimed at the E39 M5's throne. The Benz had around 2 years to have fun until the new M5 was released and everything turned grey for the Merc.
The AMG version of the E-Class had a 5.4-liter supercharged V8 engine with 467 HP and 699 Nm (516 lb-ft) of torque from 2,650 RPM. Pretty impressive numbers. Weighing only 1,835 kg (4,045 lb), the E39 with its 4.9-liter naturally aspirated V8 engine and 400 HP was an easy target for the Merc.
That changed when the beast E60 M5 showed up. With a 5-liter V10 S85 engine that revved up to 8,250 RPM and pushed 507 HP and 520 Nm (380 lb-ft) of torque to the rear wheels, things looked bad for the Benz.
Actually, as you can see from the video below, the E60 M5 killed the E55 AMG, even though the latter had a supercharger and more torque. The main advantage the M5 had was the gearbox that was a lot better than the MB's.
Even to this day, the 'bagle-butt' M5 is a E55 AMG's worst nightmare, as the guys from M5Board.com just discovered in the video below.
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