The Superpower Race Continues!

What compact four-door sedan is sized similar to a Corolla but powered like a Corvette?

Sized like a Corolla, but packing the punch of a Corvette, the Mercedes-Benz's C55 AMG is pretty unassuming from the outside. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, Canadian Auto Press)

Mercedes-Benz's C55 AMG is pretty unassuming from the outside. Only those in the know take a second look, just to make sure of its quad chrome-tipped tailpipes and telltale badging on the rear trunklid. I mean, anyone can add a set of AMG-labeled 18-inch rims to a C320 in order to give the car tuner appeal, or a decklid spoiler to the trunklid for that matter, but tacking on four tailpipes is a little harder to duplicate without spending a fortune. The C55 also features a redesigned lower front fascia, but the changes are subtle and being that the C was updated recently, most won't realize that this particular model is extremely special.

This car deserves respect, what with a specially tuned 362-horsepower V8 stuffed into the diminutive engine bay. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, Canadian Auto Press)

Its Q-ship status is beneficial if you're not trying to attract attention, but may be a bit of a letdown if you expect awe and reverence from everyday passersby. And of course, this car deserves respect, what with a specially tuned 362-horsepower V8 stuffed into the diminutive engine bay, rear-wheel drive and relatively lightweight construction.

That's a ton of power for something sized similarly to the average compact economy car. In comparison to a Toyota Corolla, the regular C-Class is actually 4 mm (0.15 inches) shorter. The C55 adds 80 mm (3.15 inches) over the base C, which still gives it an average economy car length. As for width, height and wheelbase dimensions, these are identical to the regular C-Class and also quite similar to the Civic. It's a 28 mm (1.1 inches) wider, which is hardly noticeable to the eye, plus offers a 115 mm (4.5-inch) longer wheelbase, but it rides 85 mm (3.3 inches) closer to the ground, overall, than the Toyota.