Back in 1999, the S-Class was trying to find its way into the sport-executive niche and the S55 AMG version was a good choice of a car to drive more than to be driven in.
The S55 AMG came just four years after the C36 AMG, which was the first proper factory-tuned car built by Mercedes-Benz and the wizards from Affalterbach, where the AMG headquarter was. It was a fire-spitting luxury car.

From the outside, the big AMG wheels featured a sportier design than the classic, elegant, look of the S-Class light-alloy wheels. The front apron was modified to enhance the sporty image and to increase the cooling capacity of the engine. In the back, a double oval exhaust was mounted on the outer sides of the car.

Inside, the S55 AMG offered the same luxurious interior, but with some additions for the front seats, which featured bolstered bucket-seats. On the center stack, the S55 AMG was fitted with a navigation system, which was not available in every country. The car was offered in a short or long wheelbase.

Under the hood, the S55 AMG was fitted with a 5.4-liter V8 engine mated to a standard 5-speed automatic gearbox, named AMG Speedshift. It allowed being driven either in automatic or in manual mode by balancing the gear-selector lever left and right.