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