10 Best Cars Powered By Mercedes-AMG’s Beloved Supercharged V8

Mercedes-Benz’s long-running aluminum SOHC V8, the M117, made from 1971-1992, was thoroughly updated to create the DOHC M119, but by the end of the century, a clean-sheet redesign was called for. Enter the M113, an all-new aluminum-silicon V8 with three valves and two spark plugs per cylinder, with its related M112 V6 created by simply removing two pistons and adding a balancer shaft – a truly modular engine family.

The hottest version of the M113 was the E55K AMG, also referred to as the M113K, which comes only in one 5.4L size and is equipped with a Lysholm-type twin-screw IHI supercharger to boost its power – the same brand that supplied blowers for the Dodge Hellcats. The engine has been used in many AMG performance cars over the years, and in a few cars you might not have expected on this list. In its ultimate evolution, it put out 641 hp in the car that heads this lineup.

10 Mercedes-Benz S 55 AMG (W220)

Years: 2002-2006

The W220 S-Class introduced brand-new features never seen before on Merc’s grandest saloon, such as radar cruise control and air suspension. For the first two years of the S 55 AMG (2000-2001), the M113 engine was naturally aspirated, but the supercharged version took over for the remaining five years, turning the S-Class into a roaring super sedan that could get to 60 mph in under five seconds – an impressive feat at the time.

9 Mercedes-Benz SL 55 AMG (R230)

Years: 2002-2008

The R230 generation of the SL also received the E55K engine under its hood, but the heavy drop-top wasn’t noticeably quicker. You could optionally lift the speed limiter to a heady 186 mph though. During its run, power peaked at 510 hp in the last version. It was the best way to enjoy the noise the engine produced, however.

8 Mercedes-Benz E 55 AMG (W211)

Years: 2003-2006

The supercharged V8 turned Merc’s mid-size E-Class sedan into a real sleeper, and it received the same air suspension as the W220 S-Class and its E500 sibling, as well as a sports exhaust and shift buttons on the steering wheel for the old-fashioned five-speed automatic. The five-speed auto was used for all E55K AMG-engined cars, and none of them were ever fitted with the newer 7G-Tronic seven-speed unit. It’s widely regarded as one of the best AMG models ever made.

7 Mercedes-Benz CL 55 AMG (C215)

Years: 2003-2006

Like the SL 55 AMG, the CL received the higher-output version of the M113K with nearly 500 hp on tap, but the rest of the mechanical package was pretty similar. It was a very stylish and high-tech luxury coupe with an indecent turn of speed.

6 Mercedes-Benz CLS 55 AMG (C219)

Years: 2004-2006

The dramatic coupe-styled CLS sedan was still something completely new two decades ago, and this stylish reinterpretation of the E-Class also received the supercharged V8 under the hood, offering a similar driving experience as its S and E counterparts and sharing the same air suspension and five-speed automatic transmission.

5 Mercedes-Benz CLK DTM AMG (C209)

Years: 2004-2006

Whereas the regular CLK 55 AMG received a naturally aspirated version of the M113 engine, Mercedes celebrated winning the 2003 DTM season by slotting a 574-hp version of the supercharged V8 into a CLK and giving it a 7,000-rpm rev limit, dramatic fender flares, and a big rear wing. They even made a convertible version for the 2006 model year. Mercedes made only 100 units and none of them came to the States, making this a very rare and collectible car today.

4 Mercedes-Benz G 55 AMG (W463)

Years: 2004-2011

Following a pattern of plonking the E55K AMG engine into almost everything at the time, the old-generation G-Class was given the treatment too, making it the fastest G-Class ever, at the cost of absolutely horrendous fuel consumption due to barn-like aerodynamics. It was a hoot to drive, though. Despite a rather crude traction and stability control system, and the kind of body lean that results in scraped elbows, it’s an extremely charming car.

3 Laraki Fulgura V8

Years: 2005

A supercar maker called Laraki emerged from one of the most unlikely places in 1999 – Morocco. Its Fulgura sports car was based on the Lamborghini Diablo, but used a 6.0L Mercedes V12 with four turbos and 730 hp. For 2005, a cheaper version of the Fulgura was made available, fitted with a 575-hp version of the E55K AMG V8 and a six-speed stick shift.

2 Fisker Tramonto V8

Years: 2005

Back in 2005, Henrik Fisker and ex-BMW and Ford guy Bernhard Koehler launched a coachbuilding concern to cater to high-end customers with bespoke builds. To get a Tramonto V8, you first had to buy a Mercedes SL 55 AMG and bring it to Fisker to convert. The engine was suitably upgraded as well to over 600 hp. Only 15 Tramontos were ever made.

1 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren (C199/R199/Z199)

Years: 2003-2010

The E55K AMG V8 was developed into its ultimate form for the Mercedes SLR McLaren that debuted in 2003. Mercedes owned 40% of McLaren at the time and the companies jointly developed the SLR McLaren grand tourer, with Mercedes responsible for styling and McLaren for engineering. The V8 featured dry-sump lubrication, a lower compression ratio, and 13 psi of boost to produce 617 hp. The 2006 722 Edition was more powerful and quicker. Roadster versions were also made. A 2007 722 GT race car for the SLR Club race class was created with a virtually stock 671-hp V8 but 877 lbs less weight. It could do the 0-60 in 3.3 seconds and reached a lower 196-mph top speed due to its drag-inducing downforce.

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