- Jan Hermann
476hp Merc Estate
24 July 2003: The AMG performance car division of Mercedes Benz has just released details of its V8-engined E-Class Estate, with a power output of 476 hp - up 34 per cent on that from the previous car.
The car's 5.5-litre engine has a massive torque of 700 Newton metres between 2650-4500 rpm, 32 per cent up on the predecessor.
The Estate accelerates from standstill to 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds, against 5.9 sec for the previous car.
The five-speed automatic transmission with AMG SPEEDSHIFT has steering wheel gearshifting and a manual driving programme. This gearbox has more rapid gear changes, active downshifting when braking, and torque converter lockup after first gear.
The AMG sports suspension AIRMATIC DC, with an adaptive damping system (ADS II), features new spring struts with a reduced air volume and thicker stabilisers. The springs and dampers instantly adapt themselves to the style of driving at any given moment by microprocessor control, and the driver is able to select the required configuration in three stages from comfort-oriented to sporty/stiff at the touch of a button. Whatever the load carried, the rear axle with its standard level control system guarantees an identical spring travel at all times – providing the ideal conditions for maximum ride comfort.
The striking front apron with large air dams, prominently contoured side skirts and the new rear apron with a black facing are immediate AMG styling cues.
Inside are electrically adjustable AMG sports seats, with seat heating and a memory function.
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