2003 Mercedes-Benz CL 65 AMG
Mercedes-AMG is the creator of yet another automotive masterpiece which celebrates its world premiere in Geneva. The new CL 65 AMG continues the success-ful twelve-cylinder tradition of Mercedes-AMG with an up-to-date V12 power unit which exhibits stunning performance characteristics. Thanks to twin turbocharging this engine develops 450 kW/612 hp and makes a remarkable 1000 Newton metres of torque available from 2000 rpm. This makes the CL 65 AMG the most powerful AMG model to date.
Thanks to this muscular AMG 12-cylinder powerpack the Coupé matches the performance of thoroughbred sports cars: from standstill the CL 65 AMG accelerates to 100 km/h in only 4.5 seconds (provisional figure). Its maximum speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h.
The new AMG engine is based on the 12-cylinder unit of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. In addition to an increase in displacement from 5513 to 5980 cubic centimetres, numerous other modifications are responsible for the output and torque increase in the new CL 65 AMG. For example the AMG engineers have increased ther cylinder bore from 82 to 82.6 millimetres, lengthened the stroke of the crankshaft by six millimetres to 93 millimetres and increased the charge pressure of the turbochargers to a maximum of 1.5 bar. In addition they have used forged pistons, main and big-end bearings made from extremely high temperature and pressure-resistant materials and enlarged the apertures in the injection nozzles to achieve a higher fuel flow. Power is transferred by a five-speed automatic transmission with the SPEEDSHIFT function and steering-wheel gearshift. 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.
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 Coupé.
Story by DaimlerChrysler
In Detail
| submitted by | Richard Owen |
| engine | V12 |
| position | Front Longitudinal |
| aspiration | Twin TurboChargers |
| valvetrain | SOHC 3 Valves / Cyl |
| displacement | 5980 cc / 364.9 in³ |
| bore | 82.6 mm / 3.25 in |
| stroke | 93 mm / 3.66 in |
| compression | 9.0:1 |
| power | 456.4 kw / 612 bhp @ 4800 rpm |
| specific output | 102.34 bhp per litre |
| bhp/weight | 294.23 bhp per tonne |
| torque | 1000 nm / 737.6 ft lbs @ 2000 rpm |
| body / frame | Unit Steel |
| driven wheels | RWD |
| f brake size | mm / in |
| r brake size | mm / in |
| curb weight | 2080 kg / 4586 lbs |
| wheelbase | 2885 mm / 113.6 in |
| front track | 1450 mm / 57.1 in |
| rear track | 1420 mm / 55.9 in |
| length | 4993 mm / 196.6 in |
| width | 1857 mm / 73.1 in |
| height | 1398 mm / 55.0 in |
| transmission | 5-Speed Auto |
| gear ratios | 3.59:1, 2.19:1, 1.41:1, 1.00:1, 0.83:1, :1 |
| final drive | 2.65:1 |
| top speed | ~250 kph / 155.3 mph |
| 0 – 60 mph | ~4.4 seconds |
| 0 – 100 mph | ~8.8 seconds |
