Performance Review: Mercedes C Class 55 AMG - [1998]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Mercedes C Class Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Mercedes C Class 55 AMG is the 5 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 1998. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the and the .This particular Mercedes C Class has a 5439cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The C Class shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the C Class's Rear Wheel Drive, Saloon combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1570 kgs (3461 lbs) this makes the Mercedes C Class 55 AMG in the same weight category as the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Stradale 4.0 V8 Hybrid or the give or take 50kg.

The Mercedes C Class shares the same bhp with the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp)

In terms of power the 5439cc 24V V8 engine produces 342 bhp (255 kW) @ 5500 rpm similar to the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp) or the 2023 Lotus Emira First Edition i4 2.0 Turbo (360 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 376 lb-ft (509.7 Nm) @ 2000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (369 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe 3.0 V6 Turbo (369 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Mercedes C Class you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2003 Subaru Impreza WRX STI Type RA Spec C - Blobeye (242.7 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Mercedes C Class.

The Mercedes C Class has a Power to weight ratio of 217.8 bhp per ton and 239.4 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1998 C Class competing with the 2003 Subaru Impreza WRX STI Type RA Spec C - Blobeye (242.7 bhp per ton) or the 1969 AMC AMX /3 6.4L V8 (242.5 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Mercedes C Class generating around 239.4 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1967 Chevrolet Impala SS 427 (264.3 lb-ft per ton) or the 2007 Mercedes CLK 63 AMG Black Series (264.2 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.40 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.6 secs, this made the Mercedes C Class 55 AMG as fast as the 2023 Porsche Cayenne 3.0 V6 Turbo (5.40 secs) the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe 3.0 V6 Turbo (5.40 secs) the 2019 Jaguar F Type 2.0 Turbo (5.40 secs) the or the 2019 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi TCR 2.0 Turbo (5.40 secs). This Mercedes C Class 55 AMG is also faster than the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost (5.50 secs) the 2017 Honda Civic Type R 2.0i 16v Turbo - FK8 (5.50 secs) the 2017 Seat Leon SC Cupra 300 (5.50 secs) the and the 2017 Seat Leon Cupra 300 DSG (5.50 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the C Class and the 2011 Infiniti FX 50 5.0 V8

When talking about the performance of the Mercedes C Class on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.73 secs @ 99.6 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2011 Infiniti FX 50 5.0 V8 (13.67 secs), the 2017 Dodge Challenger RT 5.7 V8 (13.67 secs), and the 2017 KIA Stinger GT 3.3 V6 Turbo (13.67 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1998 version of the Mercedes C Class 55 AMG has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 1998 C Class equals the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1998 Mercedes C Class 55 AMG then how about the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph), the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (166 mph), or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 5.0 V8 (166 mph).

Related Links:

1998 C Class Rivals List.

A Brief History of Mercedes

Car Comparison