The big bad Mercedes Benz CL600 tuned by Brabus

The power obsessed tuners at Brabus have already got their hands on the brand spanking new Mercedes Benz CL600 and from their efforts we have the new SV12 Biturbo monster. The car packs a 6.3-litre V12 with two blowers attached and manages to develop a maximum output of 730hp with an electronically controlled torque peak of 1100Nm. Without any hindrance the engine makes roughly 1320Nm, but this is too much for the standard transmission to manage.

With numbers like this, the big coupe is able to complete the 0-100km/h dash in just 4 seconds versus 4.6 seconds for the standard model. 200km/h comes up in only 11.9 seconds with top speed at 340km/h. Visual features include the new 21inch wheels and the wind-tunnel tested Brabus bodykit. Options include an enhanced brake package and several interior items. If all this seems like too much, there’s a lower spec CL500 version sporting the B8 tuning kit, which comes with 462hp and 615Nm of torque.

Click here for the full press release.

Press release:

The BRABUS Tuning Program for the new Mercedes CL Coupe

Concurrent with the market introduction of the new Mercedes CL-Class BRABUS already presents an extensive and exclusive tuning program.

Engine tuning with up to 730 hp / 537 kW, light-alloy wheels up to 21 inches in diameter and sporty yet elegant aerodynamic-enhancement parts are on the available-options list as are a sport suspension, a high-performance brake system and exclusive interior appointments. Just as unique is the BRABUS Tuning Warranty® of three years up to 100,000 kilometers (see BRABUS warranty conditions as of June 2003).

The top performance level from BRABUS for the CL 600 is the BRABUS SV12 S Biturbo engine. To increase swept volume from standard 5.5 to 6.3 liters the engine block is reworked and fitted with a special crankshaft with longer stroke, and with larger, forged pistons. The inlet and outlet ports of both cylinder heads are machined for optimal gas flow further aided by four special camshafts.

The BRABUS engine specialists further equip the motor with larger turbochargers, a more efficient intercooling system and a stainless-steel high-performance quad exhaust with low-back-pressure metal catalysts. Newly programmed engine electronics ensure perfect interaction of all new components, and contribute not only to maximizing power yield but also to meeting strict current emission limits.

The maximum power output of 730 hp / 537 kW at 5,100 rpm represents a superlative for the BRABUS SV12 S Biturbo engine as does the peak torque of 1,320 Nm at 2,100 rpm. In the vehicle peak torque is limited electronically to 1,100 Nm.

These extraordinary performance figures make the BRABUS SV12 S coupe not just one of the most powerful but also one of the fastest GT’s in the world. 0 - 100 km/h in 4.0 seconds, 200 km/h after just 11.9 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 340 km/h speak volumes. Power is transferred to the rear wheels via a modified five-speed automatic transmission. An optional BRABUS rear locking differential optimizes traction. All BRABUS powertrain components are operated with ARAL high-performance lubricants.

Engine tuning is also available for the CL 500 model. The options start with the B8 tuning kit for an increased power output of 419 hp / 308 kW and culminate in the BRABUS 6.1 displacement engine with 462 hp / 340 kW at 6,200 rpm and a peak torque of 615 Nm at 3,100 rpm.

To add more sporty emphasis to the elegant lines of the new C 216-series Mercedes coupe the BRABUS designers have developed an aerodynamic-enhancement kit, manufactured from high-quality PUR-R-RIM in OEM quality.

The BRABUS front bumper was shaped in the wind tunnel. Its sophisticated shape reduces lift on the front axle. The large central air dam optimizes cooling of engine and front brakes. Integrated fog lamps and high beams give the car a more charismatic appearance and improve active safety through better illumination of the roadway.

The BRABUS rocker panels were designed to optimize airflow along the vehicle’s sides. As a useful additional feature these panels come with integrated entrance lights.

The bolt-on rear fascia is designed to perfectly integrate the fully stainless-steel BRABUS quad sports exhaust into the rear appearance. The sport exhaust is also available without engine tuning. The rear fascia also features three LED lights recessed in the underside of the fascia. They are activated when the trunk lid is opened and facilitate loading and unloading the trunk in the dark. An understated rear spoiler rounds out the sophisticated BRABUS aerodynamics concept.

Just as important for a customized appearance and for sporty handling are custom-tailored wheels. The new CL can be fitted with BRABUS Monoblock light-alloy wheels in various widths and designs with 18-, 19-, 20- and 21-inch diameters. The largest tire/wheel combination for the C 216 series are BRABUS Monoblock VI and E wheels in sizes 9Jx21 in front and 10.5Jx21 on the real axle . For optimal tires BRABUS selected Pirelli and Yokohama high-performance tires in sizes 255/30 ZR 21 in front and 285/30 ZR 21 in the rear.

Specifically matched to this tire/wheel combination is the BRABUS lowering module for the standard ABC suspension. It lowers the ride height of the two-door by some 25 millimeters.

To keep the exceptional performance safely in check at all times the Mercedes can be fitted with a BRABUS high-performance brake system. The top-of-the-line version features 12-piston fixed aluminum calipers and 380 x 36-millimeter vented and cross-drilled discs on the front axle. The rear axle decelerates with 355 x 28-millimeter discs and six-piston fixed aluminum calipers.

The interior of the new Mercedes coupe offers numerous opportunities for exclusive BRABUS treatments. The list of products ranges from door sills with BRABUS logo to ergonomically shaped sport steering wheels to an exclusive BRABUS fully leather interior crafted from especially soft yet durable BRABUS Mastik leather and the finest Alcantara.

25 years of the airbag

In 1971 Mercedes Benz patented the airbag, a system it had been developing for over five years. Mercedes has started development at the behest of the authorities that demanded a better safety system than just the seat belt. One of the reasons Mercedes decided to develop the airbag was that it would work independently of the driver. At the time, there was still a perception that seat belts were hindering and not really worth using, so many drivers avoided them. In some cases, passengers not wearing a seat belt even suffered additional injuries from the deploying airbag. Of course, we now know that airbags work best in conjunction with a seat belt.

Encouraged by successful trials (including a total of 250 crash tests and around 2,500 trial runs on the crash sled), Mercedes went on to develop the system and first offered it in its range-topping S-class sedan in 1981, as an option to begin with. In 1984 the airbag became optional on all Benz models, and it took another eight years to become standard in all models. Today, it’s unheard of for a new car to not feature at least one airbag, and now it seems we have airbags coming out of every nook and cranny of our cars.

Happy Birthday! SLK turns 10

It was exactly ten years ago that the Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class made its debut in the showrooms. When it was launched in 1996, the SLK was a new market segment for Mercedes, but they managed to make it a success. Though Mercedes didn’t invent the folding hardtop, the SLK was the car that revived it among modern cars.

More than 311,000 units of the first-generation SLK-Class were produced between autumn 1996 and March 2004. To date, Mercedes-Benz has produced 148,000 units of the current SLK-Class and has the biggest market share in this segment with 34%.

Over that time, the SLK has grown from what was considered to be a hairdresser’s car to the current model that can compete with some of the best handling cars on the market. The SLK55 is one of our favourites, and with rumors that Mercedes is planning to slot their prized 6.2L V8 under the hood will only make it better.

Maybach gets even more tasteless

As if the range of Maybach cars weren’t already obnoxiously tasteless, the company is planning to release a version of its 57 S in a shiny white mother-of-pearl finish. The new paint colour is supposed to give the customer even more individuality, if by individuality you mean painting your car the same colour as your yacht.

While most 57 S models are only available in black or silver, the custom paint job is in a colour called “Antiqua White” which uses mica flakes to give it that pearly sheen. The paint is applied by hand, and looks different when viewed from varying angles and in different lighting conditions. The paint job is just one option in two-million that the Maybach offers in the way of individualization. Who says rich people aren’t original?

For years the sports car world has been dominated by the likes of Ferrari, Porsche and Lamborghini, with a lot of other manufacturers largely left out in the cold. Sure, the BMW M5 and Audi RS4 can go very fast indeed and impress us simply through sheer horsepower numbers, but it has been years since BMW and Audi have had proper high-end sports cars to compete with the F430 or a Gallardo. The three German powerhouses of BMW , Mercedes and Audi have decided to move in to this market with cars that will enhance the overall appeal of the brand by acting as “halo cars.” Germany’s Auto-Motor-Und-Sport magazine compiled all the information they know about the cars and put it in one report. Below is a summary of this article.

Audi’s supercar, the R8, could be in direct competition with its sibling the Lamborghini Gallardo, but it also means that the two supercars could share components. The two-seater Audi is expected to carry a 6 speed DSG transmission for lightning fast shifts, and will be coupled with a rear-bias all-wheel-drive system. The car will be initially released with a 420hp V8 engine from the RS4 with more power to come in subsequent models, which may include a rumoured convertible model. This latter version will share the V10 engine from Lamborghini’s Gallardo but slightly detuned to 480hp. The car will also come with magnetic suspension, as used in the Ferrari 599 and Audi TT . Audi expects to sell 5,000 units annually at €100,000 each.

BMW attempt is the Z9, which will probably feature two seats and a mid-engine layout. In terms of engine options, BMW already has the V10 from the M5, which would easily provide more than 500hp, or even consider two specs with a V8 version taken from the current M3, which still produces over 400hp. The Z9 is also expected to use BMW’s own dual clutch transmission technology, which can shift gears in 100 milliseconds.

Not to be outdone, Mercedes is also considering a similar project with the P8, in collaboration with its AMG tuning house. But with the SLR already in its stable, Mercedes may simply be looking for a mid-engined alternative to the Mercedes-McLaren SLR. There are rumours that the P8 could have gullwing style doors similar to the 300SL, and that the engine would be the 6.2L V12 from the CL63. The P8 is expected to cost around €150,000.

Audi, BMW, and Mercedes will all use lightweight aluminum and space frame construction, and with the choice of engines that these manufacturers have there is no doubt that these cars will be devastatingly quick – after all, an M5 engine used to propel a four-door luxury sedan would be like a sledgehammer in a lightweight two-seater sports car. We can’t wait.

Mercedes Benz CL63 AMG details released

The CL we’ve all been waiting for has finally been unveiled by Mercedes, and will take prime position in the model line-up as their best luxury coupe.

It’s propelled by an AMG 6.3L V8 with a maximum output of 386 kW/525 HP and 630 Nm. Other AMG equipment includes an enhanced body kit, upgraded sports chassis with the Active Body Control and improved brakes. The CL 63 AMG goes from 0-100km/h after only 4.6s, and is electronically limited to a maximum speed of 250km/h.

Mercedes Weltrekordwagon with a 44.5L V12 (no, that’s not a typo)

It seems that while the Nazi’s were quite a busy lot during their reign, they weren’t too busy to try and break some world speed records. They maneged to build the sinister looking beast below - the 1939 Mercedes-Benz T-80 Weltrekordwagen. The ‘car’ features the largest engine that Mercedes had ever been responsible for at the time – a 44.5 litre V12 that develops three thousand horsepower and originally designed to fit in an aircraft.

The T-80 was built to travel at 750km/h, however it was never given the chance to attempt this blistering speed record, and it was only by sheer luck that it managed to survive the Second World War as it sat in Austria. It now sits in the Mercedes Benz Museum in Stuttgart, Germany. While it has been fully restored, Mercedes Benz has not officially attempted to see just how fast it can go and it seems unlikely that we ever will know. While it isn’t a beautiful car per se, it is extremely striking, and looks almost like a Nazi Batmobile – its just a shame that no one will be able to hear that 44.5 litre V12 starting up again.