Mercedes-Benz CL 65 AMG

Motoring Channel Staff - 2/Apr/2007

Stuttgart, Germany — Sprinting from zero to 100km/h in just 4.4 seconds, the Mercedes CL 65 AMG forgoes the new V8 engine that powers many of the German marque's new models and instead uses an older, but far more powerful twin turbo 6.0-litre V12 engine. And the result? Explosive.

The German car is no light-weight sprinter either - it's pure muscle and brawn. Being one of the heaviest and largest coupes in the world, weighing more than 2.2 tonnes (2240kg) and measuring more than 5.0 metres in length makes what it can do even more mind boggling. 

And so with its hard-charging V12, the CL 65 AMG is one of the fastest cars in the world, able to outpace some Porsches in a straight line, while also being home to the kind of luxury and safety features that have made the brand famous. 

If you thought that 500Nm from the Australian-built Ford Falcon XR8 was impressive, you'll find the CL 65 AMG compelling: it generates double the amount, some 1000Nm. The engine is in actuality even more powerful again, but the limiting factor is the gearbox which can only handle 1000 Newton metres of torque, and so the limit is electronically set.

According to Mercedes performance tuning group AMG, the 6.0-litre V12 twin turbo engine (also used in the S 65 AMG and SL 65 AMG) delivers a breathtaking performance but also a world-class driving experience as the suspension, brakes and wheels also benefit from the AMG upgrades.

AMG Bodywork

Based on the CL-Class luxury coupe, the AMG version of the car has a similar look, but receives a number of aerodynamic and tough-looking body mods to improve performance and looks. The front end comes across as angrier than other CL-Class models, with large air intakes, side air outlets and round fog lamps with chrome surrounds, and there's a special AMG radiator grille with two horizontal chrome louvers and darkened bi-xenon headlamps.

At the sides, new skirts and "V12 BITURBO" lettering enhance its flanks, and at the rear of the car the two twin chromed V12-design tailpipes and the muscular rear apron with its black diffuser insert finish the picture with exotic flair.

AMG V12 Power

The 12-cylinder engine displaces 5980cc and has 3-valves per cylinder and a maximum output of 450kW (612hp) @ 4800rpm while the maximum torque of 1000Nm is available from 2000 to 4000rpm. With such brute force, the car is capable of incredible speeds, but for safety reasons is limited to 250km/h. However, it's zero to 100km/h time is almost as fast as some Lamborghini models, able to blitz the sprint in just 4.4 seconds and then able to power up to 200km/h mark in 13.3 seconds. 

So while the most cars are changing into second gear, the CL 65 AMG is trying hard to keep the rear tyres from losing tread under the huge 1000Nm of torque. Power comes at a cost however; the CL 65 AMG drinks lots of fuel, rated at 14.8L/100km on the combined cycle, and you can expect to change those 20-inch rear tyres regularly.

The engine's superbly responsive character is as impressive as it's smooth says the German car maker, with low-vibration running qualities which guarantee the high level of touring comfort, but that's not to say the characteristic AMG 12-cylinder sound is muted. With an AMG sports exhaust system with a pair of twin chromed V12-design tailpipes, it has enough character to make its presence felt, and complies with the EU 4 emissions standards.

The engine also has a range of motor sports-inspired features, such as the charge-air cooling system which uses an air/water heat exchanger (intercooler) and a particularly large low-temperature radiator at the front of the vehicle, while the maximum charge pressure for the turbochargers is 18.8 psi (1.3 bar). Because of its turbo nature, the compression ratio is low: 9.0:1.

With such immense levels of power at its disposal, only one gearbox could be used in by Mercedes in the CL 65 AMG - a 5-speed automatic. Officially called the AMG SpeedShift 5-speed automatic transmission, it feature steering wheel mounted pedals for F1-inspired shifts and also an "S/C/M" mode button in the center console allows the driver to choose between the Sport, Comfort and Manual driving programs. 

AMG Chassis

As well as changing the transmission characteristics, these modes also modify the accelerator response and the spring/damper settings of the AMG sports suspension, which is based on the Active Body Control system. In order to keep the car firmly on the straight and narrow through corners,the AMG sports suspension based on Active Body Control reduces almost all of the body movements that occur when moving off, cornering and braking. 

Mercedes-Benz says that the CL 65 AMG negotiates bends of every type with a greatly reduced roll angle while body roll during fast 'avoidance' maneuvers is effectively suppressed, and that in this way, the AMG V12 coupe not only opens up new dimensions of dynamic handling, but also offers noticeably enhanced comfort and safety.

Other chassis upgrades taken care of by the AMG tuning group include larger wheels with which to keep the car on the road. Polished 20-inch twin-spoke forged wheels (painted in titanium grey) contribute to the road holding of the big German coupe, and at the front, the 8.5-inch-wide wheels are fitted with 255/35 ZR20 tyres, while huge 275/35 ZR20 tyres cover the 9.5-inch-wide wheels at the rear.

With their filigree spokes, they offer tantalising views of a brake system, the like of which is not to be found in any other manufacturer's products. The system in question is the AMG high-performance brake system which sets new standards for stopping power, sensitivity and resistance to fading. 

In keeping with the innovative approach typical of AMG, the front brakes of the CL 65 AMG are equipped with twin sliding calipers. A world first, this new technology combines the advantages of a floating-caliper brake – lower heat transfer to the brake fluid and significantly enhanced comfort as a result of the way the brake pads are located – with the performance of a large fixed-caliper brake.

At the rear, braking is handled by a large frame-type sliding single caliper, and the rotors themselves are composite blind-drilled brake discs measuring 390mm at the front and 365mm at the rear. Mercedes claims that under emergency braking from 100km/h at the permissible gross vehicle weight, the CL 65 AMG comes to a standstill in 35.6 meters, which represents a maximum deceleration of 11.1 m/s2. 

Based on the Adaptive Brake system, the electronically controlled dual-circuit hydraulic brake system supports numerous driver assistance functions – such as the Pre Safe Brake system, Brake Assist PLUS and Distronic Plus – for even greater safety and comfort.

AMG Cockpit

Inside, too, the V12 top model impresses with its dynamic style and its use of the finest materials: the AMG sports seats have a special leather upholstery as well as both multicontour and massage functionality and all four seats feature metal AMG badges to prove authenticity, andfine poplar wood trim elements as well as AMG door sills and sports pedals in brushed stainless steel complete the picture.

The AMG ergonomic sports steering wheel has a specially sculpted rim and silver-colored aluminium gearshift paddles, and the AMG instrument cluster is calibrated up to 360km/h (though the car is electronically limited to 250km/h) and displays the currently selected gear and recommends when to shift up to the next gear. It also allows the driver to choose between viewing the engine oil temperature or the battery voltage as well as the race timer. Using the latter, the driver can measure lap times to and from work or one the race track.  

Related articles:
- Mercedes-Benz C-Class (2008)
- Mercedes-Benz Ocean Drive (concept)
- Mercedes-Benz CL 63 AMG (2007)
- Mercedes-Benz SLR 722 Edition (2006)
- Mercedes-Benz GL-Class (2006)
- Mercedes-Benz CL-Class (2007)
- Mercedes-Benz SLK 55 AMG Special Series (2006)
- Mercedes-Benz CLS ART GTR 620 (2006)
- Mercedes-Benz S 65 AMG (2006)