Enthusiasts know the C55's V8 was accommodated by transplanting the CLK55 (W209) front clip onto the W203, and that the swap is genuinely serviceable rather than crammed in. The C55 was a two-year-only US model in small numbers, with commenters citing roughly 1,299 built for 2005 and around 450-500 for 2006 (about 1,750 total).
CLK front-clip V8 fitment and production rarity
Mercedes-Benz C32/C55 AMG (W203) · history