VikJ
Active Member
- Joined
- Jan 2, 2003
- Messages
- 223
- Location
- Peterborough, Cambs.
- Car
- 2014 W246 B180CDi AMG Line Premium
Found this article regarding the facelift for the W203. Pictured is a C55, mmmm, want one!
Doesn't look radically different but is masked quite well so difficult to tell.
Link
Mercedes' current entry-level luxury model, the C-Class, has been on the market for four years now, and for February 2004, the automaker will give the current (W203 series) car a facelift, consisting mainly of a slightly revised exterior design, as well as higher-quality interior appointments.
Mercedes-Benz is giving its current W203 C-Class its first major facelift in February 2004. The new design can be recognized by new front and rear skirts, clear glass headlights, a narrower front grille, LED rear lights, and side protection bars for the exterior. Inside, the interior appointments will be revised, including new seats, fabrics, and dashboard.
Above: Mercedes' C55 AMG in testing
Simultaneously, Mercedes will replace the current top-of-the-range supercharged AMG C32 Kompressor sports sedan with an all-new model, dubbed the C55. The new label is indicative of the most important change in this model - the 3.2-liter Kompressor V6 engine will be replaced by a normally aspirated 5.5-liter V-8 engine, which is expected to generate around 367 hp of power. The engine is essentially the engine used in all the AMG '55' models, although some, such as the SL55, E55, S55, and CL55, are badged "Kompressor" and are fitted with superchargers.
The highly individualized and reworked C55 will incorporate all features of the upcoming C-Class facelift and will come with full AMG trim, including a spoiler and rocker panels, a large, chromed twin-exhaust system, customized aluminum alloy wheels, and a specially tuned sport suspension. Under the hood, the 5.5-liter V-8 engine will at first be mated to Mercedes' five-speed automatic transmission, driving the rear wheels. Later, the company's new seven-speed transmission is expected to become available (see here for more information), but all-wheel drive will not be offered on the AMG. The C55 will be available as a four-door sedan and a five-door wagon, but likely in sedan form only in the US.
Above: Another shot of the upcoming C55 AMG
"Ordinary" C-Class models can be ordered with the AMG styling package to look like their high-performance brethren, but to distinguish the higher-priced car, the real AMG model will get a unique look - the C55 features a distinct front-end design with a special radiator grille that is said to meld elements from the C-Class and the CLK coupe.
Doesn't look radically different but is masked quite well so difficult to tell.
Link
Mercedes' current entry-level luxury model, the C-Class, has been on the market for four years now, and for February 2004, the automaker will give the current (W203 series) car a facelift, consisting mainly of a slightly revised exterior design, as well as higher-quality interior appointments.
Mercedes-Benz is giving its current W203 C-Class its first major facelift in February 2004. The new design can be recognized by new front and rear skirts, clear glass headlights, a narrower front grille, LED rear lights, and side protection bars for the exterior. Inside, the interior appointments will be revised, including new seats, fabrics, and dashboard.
Above: Mercedes' C55 AMG in testing
Simultaneously, Mercedes will replace the current top-of-the-range supercharged AMG C32 Kompressor sports sedan with an all-new model, dubbed the C55. The new label is indicative of the most important change in this model - the 3.2-liter Kompressor V6 engine will be replaced by a normally aspirated 5.5-liter V-8 engine, which is expected to generate around 367 hp of power. The engine is essentially the engine used in all the AMG '55' models, although some, such as the SL55, E55, S55, and CL55, are badged "Kompressor" and are fitted with superchargers.
The highly individualized and reworked C55 will incorporate all features of the upcoming C-Class facelift and will come with full AMG trim, including a spoiler and rocker panels, a large, chromed twin-exhaust system, customized aluminum alloy wheels, and a specially tuned sport suspension. Under the hood, the 5.5-liter V-8 engine will at first be mated to Mercedes' five-speed automatic transmission, driving the rear wheels. Later, the company's new seven-speed transmission is expected to become available (see here for more information), but all-wheel drive will not be offered on the AMG. The C55 will be available as a four-door sedan and a five-door wagon, but likely in sedan form only in the US.
Above: Another shot of the upcoming C55 AMG
"Ordinary" C-Class models can be ordered with the AMG styling package to look like their high-performance brethren, but to distinguish the higher-priced car, the real AMG model will get a unique look - the C55 features a distinct front-end design with a special radiator grille that is said to meld elements from the C-Class and the CLK coupe.
(as I want to see the car in person and then decide if the exterior changes/cosmetics are drastic enough to justify trading in my current car which is only 5 months old at the moment.....) 
