Handling, however, is phenomenal. I took it up my usual "road course," in behind my home on a particularly serpentine

The C55 AMG is totally stable at ridiculous speeds, nimble through tight corners and remains horizontal to the road surface in side to side lane changes. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, Canadian Auto Press)

stretch of mountain roadway. The road is mostly two-lane, mixed pavement compounds and often has dramatic dips where the road bed underneath the tarmac has eroded. If I get a performance-oriented tester, I normally take it to the top of the mountain in order to compare it to others I've had previously. I've had M3s, S4s, RS6s, SL55 AMGs, 911 Turbos, Lotus Esprit V8s, and many others on the hill, but few are as stable at high-speed than the C55. For instance, I took a new Corvette up there about two weeks ago, and the C55 was capable of more speed... at least more controllable speed. I'm not going to say that it is better or worse than the 'Vette, or the more comparable M3 and S4, but only that the C55 AMG is totally stable at ridiculous speeds, nimble through tight corners and remains horizontal to the road surface in side to side lane changes. It

The C-Class has come a long way since being upgraded earlier this year, and the attention paid to fit, finish and materials quality shows in the C55 as well. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, Canadian Auto Press)

does it all with a comfortable ride too, which is more than can be said for the M3. It can hold its own in braking too. One thing the C55 has over its rivals is the most sumptuous of cabins. It feels much bigger inside than it is, and its choice of materials and expert craftsmanship is evident. The C-Class has come a long way since being upgraded earlier this year, and the attention paid to fit, finish and materials quality shows in the C55 as well. I especially like the real aluminum trim, "embossed" with horizontal lines. The optional Harmon/Kardon audio system is excellent, HVAC controls easy to use and nicely weighted, plus the buttons and other switchgear makes me feel that long-term durability won't be a problem.