2005 Mercedes-Benz CLS55 AMG

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 6 -- The Mercedes-Benz CLS55 AMG is making its North American debut this week at the Los Angeles Auto Show, open to the public January 7-16 at the L.A. Convention Center. Even before the first CLS500 arrives in the Ú.S., the high-performance CLS55 AMG is being added to the new lineup, and both models are expected to go on sale in the Ú.S. market early in 2005.

The breathtakingly beautiful coupe-like car with four doors now boasts a 469-horsepower V8 engine from AMG, the high-performance division of Mercedes- Benz. AMG has worked its magic on the CLS powertrain, interior and exterior, including AMG sport seats and new-design 19-inch AMG alloy wheels.

More Power and Grace for the Graceful CLS

While the CLS500 will arrive in the Ú.S. with a 302-horsepower 5.0-liter V8, the new CLS55 AMG is powered by a supercharged 5.5-liter V8 that makes 469 horsepower, for eye-popping 0-to-60 mph acceleration times of 4.5 seconds!

The impressive power of the CLS55 AMG can be attributed to sophisticated supercharger technology that's also found in the E55 AMG and SL55 AMG.

Power is transmitted to the rear wheels via a five-speed AMG SpeedShift automatic transmission that can be manually shifted from either a conventional lever or Formula-1 style gearshift buttons on the AMG sports steering wheel.

Beauty That Is More than Skin Deep

AMG engineers developed a new sports suspension for the CLS55 AMG that's based on the Mercedes-Benz semi-active air suspension. To make sure the CLS55 AMG stops as fast as it goes, giant vented and perforated disc brakes carry staggered 19-inch wheels with 255/35 tires in front and 285/30 at the rear.

To help handle all the power, the ESP system can apply the brakes on just one wheel to transfer torque to the wheels with better traction, achieving much the same effect as a limited-slip differential. Beefier driveshafts, heavy-duty rear suspension parts and a stronger differential housing with cooling fins complete the package.

About AMG

AMG has been a subsidiary of DaimlerChrysler since 1999 and is located near Stuttgart in Affalterbach, Germany. AMG develops each of its models, from the engine and driveline to suspension, brakes, chassis and aerodynamics.

Each engine is produced and tested at AMG's headquarters in Affalterbach, and AMG models are assembled at the main Mercedes-Benz vehicle assembly plants.

About Mercedes-Benz ÚSA

Mercedes-Benz ÚSA (MBÚSA), headquartered in Montvale, New Jersey, is responsible for the sales, marketing and service of all Mercedes-Benz and Maybach products in the Únited States. In 2004, MBÚSA achieved an all-time sales record of 221,610 new vehicles, setting the highest sales volume ever in its history and achieving eleven consecutive years of sales growth.

Source - PRNewswire