The company seemed intent on performing this feat of engineering, perhaps deciding that since the introduction of the Audi S4, eight cylinders were now needed to compete in this high performance sector and allow it to distance the C-class from the six-cylinder BMW M3.

Looking at the benchmark performance figures between the outgoing C32 AMG (a supercharged 3.2-litre V6) and the incoming C55 AMG (a naturally aspirated 5.4-litre V8) was rather puzzling. Both cars accelerate from rest to 62mph in 5.2 seconds, and both have top speeds electronically limited to 155mph.

Horsepower is up by 13bhp, but fuel consumption is down by 0.9mpg on the combined cycle – not that many AMG drivers will be concerned about that.

Therefore, the net gain for getting rid of the six-cylinder engine and squeezing in a V8 – the first V8 for a C-class production car – appears to be zero, which is hard to explain with the £3,500 price hike.

However, looking a little closer, we see the maximum torque is now 376lb-ft instead of 332lb-ft – an increase of 44lb-ft – and the maximum is reached at 4,000rpm instead of 4,400rpm on the outgoing version.

The new AMG benefits from some of the revisions to the rest of the C-class range, with minor styling changes and material upgrades inside.

Mercedes-Benz claims, probably correctly, that this model is the sportiest C-class to date. Manual changes to its five-speed automatic transmission can be made through buttons on the steering wheel, the chassis has been made more rigid, the ESP system has been retuned, brakes have been revised and the steering is more direct.

AMG engineers set out to deliver improved handling without sacrificing the comfort provided by the C-class, albeit the most hardcore version which has a less forgiving ride at lower speeds.

Despite its specialist appeal, it is expected to retain a reasonably healthy 35% of its original price (both saloon and estate) according to CAP Monitor, over three years/60,000 miles.

It means that while it is significantly more expensive than an Audi S4 (probably its closest rival) or BMW M3 new, used buyers would not be prepared to pay significantly more for one on the second-hand market.

Behind the wheel

AMG variants of the Mercedes-Benz range are usually only given away when viewed alongside standard cars in the range by enormous alloy wheels and chrome-finished multiple exhaust pipes.

It is much the same for the C55. A deeper front spoiler and a boot spoiler also reveal its high-performance status, but this is more or less as any C-class would look.

There is a more sport- oriented interior with AMG markings found here and there, but you only really get a true indication of the car's potential after starting it up.

The V8 is reasonably subtle at idle, but any amount of gas and it sounds like it is desperately trying to suppress an unruly side to its character. It's almost like seeing Sex Pistols frontman John Lydon being interviewed on TV. While he might seem to be on best behaviour for the cameras, you never really now what he'll say next.

The deep burble from the exhaust is intoxicating and makes exploiting its acceleration all the more addictive. However, there is so much torque that during one overtaking manoeuvre on a single carriageway road, prodding the gas pedal resulted in the car quickly gaining speed in fifth gear rather than kicking down to third or fourth. It is seriously impressive. While much of our drive was on damp roads, the C55 seemed relatively benign with careful use of power. It still isn't quite as involving as a BMW M3 – it doesn't behave as intuitively – but neither does it feel as highly strung.

Driving verdict The most manageable high-performance Mercedes-Benz car on sale, the V8 adds to the desirability of the new AMG, but performance comes at a price.

Model: Mercedes-Benz C55 AMG
Engine (cc): 5,439
Max power (bhp/rpm): 367/5,750
Max torque (lb-ft/rpm): 376/4,000
Max speed (mph): 155 (limited)
0-62mph (sec): 5.2/estate 5.4
Fuel consumption (mpg): 23.7/23.0
CO2 emissions (g/km): 286/293
On sale: Sal – July; estate – May
Price: £47,865-£48,815