The main engine is a 5.4 L V8 unit, designated the M113, that carries the “55” designation. However, this engine comes in two configurations.
The first configuration is found in the C55 AMG, CLK55 AMG and SLK55 AMG is a naturally aspirated V8 with 360 PS (367 hp/265 kW).
The other configuration is a similar unit but with a highly efficient Lysholm type supercharger manufactured by IHI, found in the rest of the AMG 55 models. The published output according to Mercedes varies from 476 PS (469 hp/350 kW) to 517 PS (509 hp/380 kW) depending on various methods of power measurements and different ECU programming for national legislations.
AMG will phase out both the naturally aspirated and supercharged 5.4 L engines in favor of the new M156 V8 beginning in 2006.
