Compact-size C Class cars by Mercedes skew from an affordable sports coupe and practical station wagon to a powerful high-performance model crafted by AMG. Between these extremes are sport variations plus optional all-wheel-drive (AWD) equipment -- called 4Matic in Mercedes nomenclature with 40/60 percent front/rear torque split. The Mercedes compacts feature new package styling for 2005 with a revised front grille and headlamps, a new tail treatment with fresh lamps on rear corners, cabins upgraded for cushy seat designs and new gauges in the instrument panel.

Sport models show up as C230 Kompressor sport coupe or sedan, and C320 sport coupe or sedan. Each wears special body cladding and larger wheels, a sport-tuned suspension, six-speed close-ratio manual transmission and thickly bolstered front sport seats. The 4Matic equipment applies as an option to C240 and C320 sedans. Luxury compact models are the C320 sedan and wagon, each with a V6 powertrain. A new C Class performance sedan, the C55 AMG, gets a hand-built AMG V8 that jumps to 362 hp.

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These Mercedes roadsters have seats for only two in a luxurious cockpit crowned by a sleek hardtop that, at the tap of a console switch, folds through electro-hydraulic muscle and tucks below the trunk lid. Design for the roadster, in part homage to the original Mercedes gullwing 300SL but also a projection into the future of sophisticated automobiles, scores among the most artistic to come from the tri-star brand. For 2005 there are four editions - the SL500 and SL600, plus the performance-driven SL55 AMG and new SL65 AMG.

The SL500 draws from a 5.0-liter V8 that delivers 302 hp through the Mercedes seven-speed TouchShift automatic. SL600 gets the 5.5-liter bi-turbo V12 with inter-cooling to push the power up to 493hp, and SL55 AMG has the AMG supercharged V8. The new SL65 AMG runs with the 12-cylinder AMG bi-turbo worth 604hp.

Elite full-size Mercedes sedans continue in four RWD editions - the S430, S500, S600 and S55 AMG, with 4Matic AWD versions for S430 and S500. With fitted seats and touches of polished hardwoods plus fine leather decorating the cabin, these big sedans envelop riders in a staggering array of sophisticated controls and perks to make life in the fast lane not only comfortable but also secure.

There are many mechanical systems working latently for protection, including devices that stabilize forward movement and tire traction, smart brakes and adjustable suspensions, and up to eight air bags. All issues carry the Mercedes PreSafe tool that instantly rigs the vehicle for an unavoidable impact by activating electric seat belt tensioners and moving the passenger's front seat to optimum safety position.

For power, the S430 uses a 4.0-liter V8 at 275 hp, but the S500 goes further with the single-cam 5.0-liter V8 cranked to 302 hp. Both engines link to the 7G-tronic seven-speed automatic transmission. The S600 stocks the bi-turbo 6.0-liter V12 ripped to 493 hp, and AMG's supercharged V8 drops into the S55 AMG. The performance-geared AMG model also has redundant SpeedShift buttons mounted on the steering wheel, plus racing-derived brakes. (CONTINUED...)