Review: Mercedes W220 S 55 and V220 S 65 AMG (2003-06)

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• Powerful supercharged 5.4-litre M113 V8 and biturbo 6.0-litre M275 V12 engines
• Impressive ride/handling balance
• High standard of interior fit and finish
• Quiet and refined interior

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• High maintenance costs
• Active Body Control not immediate in operation, increases stiffness mid-corner
• Whistling noise from S 65 AMG turbochargers

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Overview

Manufactured in Sindelfingen, Germany, the Mercedes-Benz W220 S 55 AMG was released in Australia in February 2003, with the long-wheelbase V220 S 65 AMG following in May 2005. Based on the Mercedes-Benz W220/V220 S-Class , the S 55 AMG and S 65 AMG were powered by supercharged 5.4-litre V8 and biturbo 6.0-litre V12 engines, respectively. Both models, however, had five-speed automatic transmissions.

S 55 AMG: M113.991 V8 engine

Shared with the C215 CL 55 AMG , the 5439 cc M113.991 V8 engine had a die-cast alloy block with 97.0 mm bores and a 92.0 mm stroke, cast-in Silitec cylinder liners, fracture-split forged steel connecting rods, iron-coated aluminium pistons with oil spray cooling, an alloy cylinder head, a single overhead camshaft (SOHC) per cylinder bank driven by a double-roller chain, three valves per cylinder (two intake, one exhaust) actuated by roller rockers, two-spark plugs per cylinder, a dual-length intake manifold, a compression ratio of 9.0:1 and Bosch ME 2.8 engine management.

Unlike its naturally aspirated predecessor, the M113 engine for the C215.II CL 55 AMG engine had a Lysholm-type IHI supercharger – positioned between the cylinder banks – which provided maximum pressure of 0.8 bar and had an integrated air-water charge air cooler. The supercharger had two Teflon-coated aluminium shafts which rotated at up to 23,000 rpm, pushing 1850 kg of air per hour into the combustion chambers. To minimise fuel consumption at part throttle applications, the scroll compressor only operated at certain engine speeds and load conditions, activated by an electromagnetic coupling and a separate poly-V-belt.

Compared to its naturally aspirated counterpart, changes for the supercharged M113 engine included:

• A reinforced crankcase with stiffening ribs and side bolts;
• A precision-balanced crankshaft with modified bearings and a more resistant material;
  Unique pistons;
• Forged connecting rods;
• A revised oil supply system (including the sump, catch tray and pump) and a separate oil cooler in the right-hand wheel arch;
• Optimised cylinder heads;
• A twin-spring assembly for the valve train to increased maximum engine speed to 6100 rpm (from 5600 rpm);
• A redesigned fuel system;
• A twin-pipe exhaust system with switchover valve and 70 mm diameter tailpipes for reduced exhaust gas back-pressure; and,
• A unique engine management system.

The S 55 AMG could accelerate from rest to 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds and had an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h. Over the combined EUDC cycle, fuel consumption was 13.2 litres per 100 km.

S 65 AMG: M275.980 engine

Shared with the C215 CL 65 AMG , the 5980 cc M275.980 V12 engine had a reinforced aluminium alloy block with 82.6 mm bores and a 93.00 mm stroke, an aluminium cylinder head, twin turbochargers, manifold injection, a single overhead camshaft per cylinder bank (SOHC), three valves per cylinder (two intake and one exhaust) that were actuated by aluminium roller rocker arms, two spark plugs per cylinder, and a compression ratio of 9.0:1. Furthermore, the twin turbochargers – one per cylinder bank – had air-to-liquid intercooler and provided peak boost pressure of 1.52 bar (22.1 psi).

Compared to the standard 6.0-litre biturbo V12, changes for the AMG version included:

• Higher-strength material for the crankshaft;
• Forged pistons were made from a temperature and pressure resistant material and had an upgraded oil-spray cooling system with a separate individual nozzle per piston. The size of the piston pins was also increased;
• The main and connecting rod bearings were made from higher-specification material;
• The combustion chambers in the cylinder heads were optimised;
• The camshafts had increased stroke on the intake side and longer opening times;
• The oil pump was modified and a larger oil cooler used to ensure lubrication under extreme conditions;
• The housings of the compressor and turbine, the turbine and the compressor wheels were enlarged;
• Maximum charge pressure was increased to 1.5 bar;
• Larger injection valve openings increased fuel throughput;
• New intercooler design which featured a 70 per cent larger front-mounted low-radiator;
• The system pressure of the computer-controlled fuel system was increased to 3.8 bar; and,
• A new engine management system was used, which included new wastegate valve actuation control for both turbochargers.

While the engine could produce peak torque of 1200 Nm, it was electronically-limited to 1000 Nm to protect the transmission. Nonetheless, the S 65 AMG required a modified driveshaft, larger wheel bearings and enlarged hub carriers.

The S 65 AMG could accelerate from rest to 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds and had an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h. Over the combined EUDC cycle, fuel consumption was 14.9 litres per 100 km. [su_table responsive=”yes”]

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AMG Speedshift transmission

The Mercedes S 55 AMG and S 65 AMG were fitted with the five-speed ‘AMG Speedshift’ automatic transmission. In the manual ‘M’ mode, the driver could use steering wheel gearshift buttons to perform gearshifts – in this mode, the transmission would not automatically kickdown in response to throttle inputs, nor would it upshift a the rev limit. Other features of the AMG Speedshift transmission included:

• A torque converter lock-up function above first gear to reduce torque converter slip and increase fuel efficiency;
• It would stay in the current gear if a certain level of lateral acceleration was present (intended to delay or prevent gearshifts when cornering); and,
• An optimum gear function – selected by moving the ‘Touchshift’ lever to the left – which would cause the transmission to select the gear for maximum acceleration (depending on current speed and engine management data).

Gear ratios for the S 55 AMG were 3.60 (1st), 2.19 (2nd), 1.41 (3rd), 1.00 (4th) and 0.83 (5th), while the final drive ratio was 2.65. For the S 65 AMG, the only change was to the ratio of the first gear (3.59).

For the S 65 AMG, changes for the AMG Speedshift transmission included:

• New converter discs with a metal coating;
• A larger torque-converter lock-up clutch; and,
• Modified shift and torque converter lock-up logic.

Dimensions and body

Like the Mercedes W220 S 500 , the W220 S 55 AMG was 5043 mm long, 1855 mm wide, 1444 mm tall and had a 2965 mm long wheelbase. Relative to the S 55 AMG, the S 65 AMG had 120 mm longer wheelbase and overall length, at 3085 mm and 5163 mm, respectively. While the S 55 AMG had a kerb weight of 1985 kg, the S 65 AMG was 235 kg heavier at 2220 kg.

Suspension

The Mercedes S 55 AMG and S 65 AMG had four-link front suspension and independent, multi-link rear suspension. However, the suspension also included:

• Mercedes-Benz’s ‘Airmatic’ (Adaptive Intelligent Ride Control) system which controlled the behaviour of the air springs and adaptive damping system (ADS) according to road conditions, load and driving style; and,
• Mercedes-Benz’s ‘Active Body Control’ which used high-pressure hydraulics and a control unit to adapt suspension damping to the driving situation to reduce body movement.

Steering

The Mercedes S 55 AMG and S 65 AMG had rack-and-pinion steering with speed-sensitive power-assistance (Mercedes-Benz’s ‘parameter steering’).

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Mercedes W220 S 55 AMG and V220 S 65 AMG included dual front airbags, front and rear side airbags, full-length curtain airbags, ABS, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control and front and outer rear seatbelts with pre-tensioners and load limiters.

The Mercedes S 55 AMG and S 65 AMG were also fitted with Mercedes-Benz’s ‘Pre-Safe’ system which anticipated and prepared for collisions by tensioning the seatbelts, adjusting the seat positions for optimal airbag deployment and closing the sunroof (if open).

Brakes: S 55 AMG

The Mercedes W220 S 55 AMG had 360 mm by 36 mm front brake discs with eight-piston front callipers and 330 mm by 26 mm rear discs with four-piston rear callipers; both front and rear discs were ventilated and perforated.

Brakes: S 65 AMG

The Mercedes V220 S 65 AMG had 390 mm by 36 mm composite front brake discs (grey cast iron discs and aluminium brake-disc bowls) with eight-piston callipers; the rear discs were 348 mm by 26 mm and had four-piston callipers. Both front and rear discs were internally ventilated and perforated.

Features: Mercedes S 55 AMG

Standard features for the Mercedes S 55 AMG included 18-inch twin-spoke AMG alloy wheels (8.5J front and 9.0J rear) with 245/45 R18 Y front and 265/40 R18 Y rear tyres, a ten speaker sound system with a six-disc CD player, Mercedes-Benz’s COMAND with a 6.5-inch 16:9 colour display, satellite navigation and DVD player, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, nappa leather upholstery, power adjustable and heated front seats with active bolsters, cruise control, bi-xenon headlights with washers, front fog lamps, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, rear parking sensors, multi-function steering wheel, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearshift, remote central locking, power adjustable mirrors with heating and folding functions, power windows, a power adjustable steering column (height and reach), front seat memory settings, automatically dipping mirrors on reverse, an electrochromatic rear view mirror, telephone, a power sunroof, burr walnut trim, a trip computer and an immobiliser.

Features: Mercedes S 65 AMG

Compared to the S 55 AMG, the S 65 was distinguished by its 19-inch twin-spoke AMG alloy wheels (8.5J front and 9.5J rear) with 245/40 ZR19 front and 275/35 ZR19 rear tyres, four-zone climate control air conditioning, ‘Exclusive’ nappa leather upholstery and tyre pressure monitoring.

May 2005 update

In May 2005, there was a minor update for the S-Class range. Standard features were extended to include a rear TV/DVD screen, voice recognition (‘Linguatronic’), COMAND remote control and mobile phone interface.

Brochures

• Brochure: Mercedes V220 S 65 AMG (International) (April 2003)
• Brochure: Mercedes V220 S 65 AMG (International) (January 2004)

Related links

• Wikipedia.org: Mercedes-Benz W220/V220 S-Class