The story
The G 55 AMG is the G that made speed part of the G-Wagen's reputation. AMG took the ladder-framed, solid-axle W463, fitted its own 5.4-litre V8 and later a supercharger, and sold it through the regular showroom from 1999 into 2012. It still has full-time four-wheel drive, low range and three locking differentials. It also has 700 Nm of torque and a top speed limited to 210 km/h, which is about as fast as anyone should drive something with this shape.
AMG'S SECOND TRY
AMG had tuned a G before. In 1993, 13 of the 446 500 GEs got AMG's 6.0-litre upgrade kit. The G 55 was different because anyone could order one. Introduced in 1999, it was the most powerful G yet: 354 PS (349 hp) and 525 Nm from AMG's naturally aspirated M113 V8, with 0–100 km/h in 7.4 seconds. That made it about four seconds quicker than the 500 GE to 100 km/h.
When Mercedes-Benz USA took over G distribution from Europa International for the 2002 model year, the G 55 AMG launched alongside the G 500 as the only other G-Class in American showrooms. Hagerty credits the AMG with pushing US G sales higher in the following years.
THE KOMPRESSOR YEARS
In 2004 (the 2005 model year in the US) AMG added a supercharger. The M113K, the same supercharged 5.4 used in the era's CL 55 and SL 55, made 476 PS (469 hp) and 700 Nm, cutting 0–100 km/h to about 5.6 seconds. From 2006 it was rated at 500 PS. For 2009 a new engine control unit raised it to 507 PS (500 hp), with torque unchanged.
The 2009 update also brought a three-bar grille, Kompressor lettering, polished 19-inch AMG wheels on 275/55 R19 tyres, an anthracite Alcantara headliner, designo leather, COMAND APS and a stronger ESP with hill-start assist. All G 55s used the five-speed 722.6 automatic. Some enthusiasts prefer that well-proven gearbox to the seven-speed fitted to later Gs.
HOW IT ENDED
The G 55's last US model year was 2011. For 2012 the US G-Class range was just the G 550. In 2012 AMG replaced the supercharged 5.4 with a 5.5-litre biturbo V8 and renamed the truck G 63 AMG, arriving in the US for 2013. That made the G 55 the last AMG G with a supercharger and the five-speed automatic.
Values have settled well above ordinary G 500s. autoevolution's study of 2019–2022 auctions found average Kompressor prices around $60,000 in 2021–22, with low-mileage 2011 trucks reaching $72,500 and $94,000. High-mileage 2005 and 2007 trucks sold for $27,000–40,000. For an off-roader, those cheaper, well-serviced trucks are the interesting ones. You don't need perfect paint to use the lockers.
SIDEBAR · NATURALLY ASPIRATED OR KOMPRESSOR?
Two very different G 55s
The early G 55 (2002–2004 model years in the US) uses AMG's naturally aspirated M113 5.4: 349 hp, about 400 lb-ft, 0–100 km/h in 7.4 seconds. The Kompressor (US 2005–2011) has a supercharger and an intercooler, with 469–500 hp and 516 lb-ft, and gets there in about 5.5 seconds.
For trail use the trade-off is simple. The naturally aspirated truck has fewer parts to fail: no supercharger, no intercooler pump, and less heat under the hood. The Kompressor is quicker and newer and has the later interior updates, but it needs its supplemental cooling system kept in good order. German Cars For Sale Blog found the naturally aspirated trucks commanding a big premium over a contemporary G 500 for low-mileage examples.
