Mercedes CL 65 AMG: First Look

When Mercedes revealed its uber-powerful V12, the 600 SL, it set the benchmark for the luxury Grand Tourer market.

To refresh your memory on the 5.5-litre V12, complete with forced induction, click here. The car was a non AMG-tuned vehicle, yet still offered the highest power and torque output in the marque's portfolio.

While many were quick to point out that Mercedes was simply running scared from a potent new threat - BMW's 5.5-litre V10, destined for M5, M6 et al - others were just amazed to see a two-door vehicle pump out a truck-like 800Nm of torque.

Perhaps the specialised tuner, which is rumoured to be releasing its very own AMG models in the next few years, is trying to send a clear message to other marques: go hard or go home?

While the 600 SL was Mercedes' piece de resistance at the Detroit Motor Show in January, the CL 65 AMG could be seen as AMG's crowning glory in Geneva.

Not content with a paltry 800Nm of torque, AMG engineers set about increasing the capacity of the Benz' legendary V12 mill.

The result? A gobsmacking 1000Nm of torque.

Bugatti is still looking like taking the mantle of most powerful, and indeed fastest production car in 2003, when it releases its 400km/h, 8.0-litre, quad-turbocharged, 16-cylinder, seven-speed behemoth.

This European bad-boy is expected to generate a whopping 1250Nm of torque, to be split between all four wheels... Expected being the operative word, of course.

As such, the Bugatti is still just talk - the AMG Mercedes, however, is a tangible vehicle, one that's in production and ready for sale. Just don't ask how much...

At it's crux, the new Merc uses the same engine seen in the drop-top 600 SL, which itself was based on the S-Class' V12, with forced induction later added for an extra kick.

The 600 SL's 5513cc of displacement has been stroked to 5980cc. This was carried out by AMG engineers in their lunch break, by increasing both cylinder bore and stroke.

Originally, the 5.5-litre V12 had a bore of 82mm, which is now 82.6mm, while lengthening the stroke of the crankshaft by six millimetres to 93mm culminates in the final displacement of almost 6.0-litres.

Furthermore, the charge pressure of the twin turbochargers has been upped significantly to 1.5 bar, and other goodies like forged pistons (to cope with the extra stress), main and big-end bearings made from extremely high temperature, plus pressure-resistant materials and enlarged apertures in the injection nozzles (to achieve a higher fuel flow) combine to help increase power outputs.

Speaking of which, power is transferred by a five-speed automatic transmission with the "Speedshift" function and a non-intimidating steering-wheel gearshift. While we've got no immediate qualms with Mercedes' silky smooth five-speeder, this is the AMG model we're talking about about, and six forward ratios would have improved the quarter mile and standing start times respectively (and the removal of a torque converter even better).

The exceptional torque of the V12 is always safely under control, thanks to modifications to various transmission components, the rear axle differential, the drive shafts and the wheel carriers.

And at the end of the day, it all boils down to is this: 0-100km/h in 4.5 seconds. Not too shabby for a car that weighs in at what is rumoured to be close to 2.0-tonnes (the 600 SL weighs 1950kg).

One wonders how fast the coupe would be if those heavily-bolstered electric seats and computer aids and pneumatic suspension were removed, possibly reducing weight to a more Commodore-esque 1600kg or so?

Regardless, the 6.0-litre, twin-turbocharged mill kicks out an eye-watering 1000Nm of torque @ 2000rpm, while @ roughly 5300rpm, the thumping German makes 450kW of power. While 0-100km/h from rest in 4.5 seconds is very quick, the 250km/h limited top speed is just silly.

Why doesn't AMG take a leaf out of the Lambo or Ferrari book and de-restrict its big guns?

Are they afraid all their innovative safe-guards won't work over 250km/h? Sure, going fast can be very irresponsible at the best of times, but it's still a waste of 1000Nm in our minds...

Like all models in the CL-Class the new CL 65 AMG is fitted as standard with the Active Body Control (ABC) suspension system, whose spring struts have been configured for greater stiffness in the high-performance coupe.

The most powerful AMG model ever built is a pretty sweet looking vehicle, and while the company has only released two official snap shots, none of which are of the front, it is safe to say that it's a very fine looking motor car.

The quad-exhausts, five-spoke alloy wheels and lower ride height, together with tweeked bodywork and stylised tail lights provide for a very menacing, yet seriously suave Mercedes. Will the M6 be able to compete? We'll know later on in 2003.

BMW, it's your move...