Monday 24th February 2003

600bhp CL

Does any Mercedes driver need 600bhp?

---

Mercedes-AMG are rapidly losing the plot in their quest for power. The phrase 'never enough' is about to be challenged by their latest evil invention - the 612bhp V12 CL.

The monstrous power unit is to be shoehorned into the new CL 65 AMG which will be rolled out in Geneva.

To achieve these amazing power figures, the engineers at AMG enlarged the cylinders and increased the stroke of the crankshaft, taking the capacity up to 5,980cc. Forged pistons, main and big-end bearings have then been used to take the internal strain. Two turbo chargers the size of small children are then slapped on top for good measure. Finally the large aperture injection nozzles have been used to squirt petrol in as fast as it can be pumped out of the ground.

Power is transferred by a five-speed automatic transmission with the steering wheel mounted 'Speedshift' sequential control.

Changes have been made at the rear to the differential and drive shafts to cope with the immense torque (1000Nm).

The usual active suspension and traction control technologies are employed in an attempt to rein in the potential havoc lurking at the end of your right foot.

[james]

That's what I like to see. A nice bit of power under the bonnet

[marki]

they really are trying (and succeeding) to prove something

[MDG]

Fantastic! It's the muscle car era all over again!

Presumably, with the limiter removed you'd be able to break the sound barrier...

MDG.

[Dodge]

"Finally the large aperture injection nozzles have been used to squirt petrol in as fast as it can be pumped out of the ground."

- not too far from the truth! Next stage is surely to double the weight of the car by turning the entire frame into a giant petrol tank, to give the car a decent range.

Of course, with double the weight, you'll need at least another 612 bhp...

[larobinson]

Nice one AMG you go for it!!! I'd like that sort of power, id have one of these if i had the money. maybe next time though go for more power and fill the engine bay so if you dropped a peanut it would'nt hit the floor!!!!!

[larobinson]

how do you put the little smiley faces in youre replys plz tell me!!

[corozin]

I dunno... this public pissing competition between Mercedes, BMW & Audi is just going to end up with a Europe-wide cap on engine outputs.

These things won't go ignored by Governments for ever I reckon.

John

[robp]

How long before some german nutter slaps that power plant in a C-class.
Bloody hell, the words "shite" and "myself" spring to mind!

[P*Ting]

Stupid really. Give it all that power then add traction control to prevent any of it being used!

What's the point??? I bet it can wheelspin in any gear all the way to the limiter so why bother increasing the power year on year?!?

[Pelo]

robp said: How long before some german nutter slaps that power plant in a C-class.
Bloody hell, the words "shite" and "myself" spring to mind!

The word B R A B U S springs to mind...
Eeeek!!! WHAT can they possibly do to "improve" this monster!

[marki]

corozin said: I dunno... this public pissing competition between Mercedes, BMW & Audi is just going to end up with a Europe-wide cap on engine outputs.

These things won't go ignored by Governments for ever I reckon.

John

Your right , a power cap is bound to be on the way just as Ze Germans did with Bike output ,,, but its fun while it lasts ,, just imagine in 10 years time all Da Gangstaz will be cruising in these

[anonymous-user]

"Limiter", AMG says "What's a limiter?!?!"

[corozin]

marki said:Your right , a power cap is bound to be on the way just as Ze Germans did with Bike output ,,, but its fun while it lasts ,, just imagine in 10 years time all Da Gangstaz will be cruising in these

Well I remember all the outrage 12 years ago when the Lotus Carlton appeared. MP's were raising questions about whether it should have been banned in the House of Commons.

There's been this "gentleman's agreement" between the major manufacturers and Government over the years to (kinda) limit the performance of cars. Politicians don't fret about companies like TVR, Ferrari & Porsche making 190mph cars because they are not volume producers... however if companies like Jaguar, Mercedes or Ford start making 190mph cars that is frowned upon because they are mainstream manufacturers.

In Germany, the companies have avoided political trouble by limiting top speed to 155mph but with these 500bhp+ monsters appearing in greater & greater numbers I just wonder how long this "agreement" will hold.

I mean... who the hell needs 600bhp in an Executive Saloon? (shurley "barge"? LOL)

[marki]

The 155 mph 250 kph limit is one thing and im all for these cars the more outrageous the better , but as you say now the mainstream makers are at it things could change .

I would love to try one of these uber saloons/coupes just to see how they feel , my XKR with "only" 370bhp would just storm round to the limiter and then bounce off it even on fairly steep hills what the SL55 RS6 et al would do ???