The Mercedes-Benz E550 was a variant of the W211 Sedan that debuted for the 2007 model year. The E550 was introduced when Mercedes upgraded the engine in the W211 E500 in 2006 to a 5.5L V8, and decided the rename the variant for North America. This 5.5L V8 was Mercedes' M273.960 engine, which generated 388hp and 391 lb ft of torque that was sent to the rear wheels via a 7 speed automatic transmission. An all wheel drive version known as the E550 4MATIC was also available. Production of the W211 Mercedes-Benz E550 ended in 2009, but the model series continued in the next generation as the W212 Mercedes-Benz E550.