What is it?
2008 Mercedes-Benz CL65 AMG
What's special about it?
Do you really need us to tell you what's special about a car with 600 horsepower? Or in the case of the 2008 Mercedes-Benz CL65 AMG, 604 horsepower? Hopefully not, but we're going to spell it out for you anyway.
This is the third car in the current Mercedes-Benz lineup to get the AMG version of the company's already over-endowed V12 engine. Its 12 cylinders not only displace nearly 6.0 liters, they also get force-fed by a pair of twin turbochargers that generate up to 18.9 psi of boost. Throw in an air-to-water intercooler and an AMG Sport exhaust and this beast generates a staggering 738 pound-feet of torque. The most powerful diesel pickups out of Detroit only manage a comparatively meager 650 lb-ft.
In addition to perpetually illuminating the traction control light, all that power manages to get the 4,938-pound coupe from zero to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds. The CL65's V12 is actually capable of generating even higher numbers, but the five-speed automatic transmission can't handle anything more.
An AMG-tuned version of the standard CL's Active Body Control suspension keeps it headed in the right direction while Mercedes' most advanced braking system is standard to assure quick stops. The setup consists of 15.6-inch composite rotors up front, 14.3-inch discs in back and unique twin sliding calipers at each corner. Wolf Zimmerman, a top engineer at AMG, tells us the sliding calipers reduce noise without compromising performance. They look pretty cool, too.
Unique AMG bodywork and a set of 20-inch forged wheels complete the package of what is arguably the best-looking V12-powered model in the Mercedes stable. And for those who feel that the nearly $200,000 coupe still isn't exclusive enough, a limited-edition 40th anniversary model will be available this year. Naturally, the plan is to build only 40 of them, 27 of which are destined for the U.S.
In addition to unique interior colors and series number plates, all 40th anniversary cars will feature one-of-a-kind Alubeam paint. The CL65 will be the first production in the world to feature the unique finish, previously used on concept cars only. It has a flatter, less glossy finish designed to mimic the texture of liquid metal. It looks like the world's most expensive primer job and the CL65 wears it well.
What's Edmunds' take?
The Mercedes to buy when you have nothing left to spend your money on. Serious drivers should consider the lighter, more nimble CL63 AMG instead. — Ed Hellwig, Senior Editor
2008 Mercedes-Benz CL65 AMG
What's special about it?
Do you really need us to tell you what's special about a car with 600 horsepower? Or in the case of the 2008 Mercedes-Benz CL65 AMG, 604 horsepower? Hopefully not, but we're going to spell it out for you anyway.
This is the third car in the current Mercedes-Benz lineup to get the AMG version of the company's already over-endowed V12 engine. Its 12 cylinders not only displace nearly 6.0 liters, they also get force-fed by a pair of twin turbochargers that generate up to 18.9 psi of boost. Throw in an air-to-water intercooler and an AMG Sport exhaust and this beast generates a staggering 738 pound-feet of torque. The most powerful diesel pickups out of Detroit only manage a comparatively meager 650 lb-ft.
In addition to perpetually illuminating the traction control light, all that power manages to get the 4,938-pound coupe from zero to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds. The CL65's V12 is actually capable of generating even higher numbers, but the five-speed automatic transmission can't handle anything more.
An AMG-tuned version of the standard CL's Active Body Control suspension keeps it headed in the right direction while Mercedes' most advanced braking system is standard to assure quick stops. The setup consists of 15.6-inch composite rotors up front, 14.3-inch discs in back and unique twin sliding calipers at each corner. Wolf Zimmerman, a top engineer at AMG, tells us the sliding calipers reduce noise without compromising performance. They look pretty cool, too.
Unique AMG bodywork and a set of 20-inch forged wheels complete the package of what is arguably the best-looking V12-powered model in the Mercedes stable. And for those who feel that the nearly $200,000 coupe still isn't exclusive enough, a limited-edition 40th anniversary model will be available this year. Naturally, the plan is to build only 40 of them, 27 of which are destined for the U.S.
In addition to unique interior colors and series number plates, all 40th anniversary cars will feature one-of-a-kind Alubeam paint. The CL65 will be the first production in the world to feature the unique finish, previously used on concept cars only. It has a flatter, less glossy finish designed to mimic the texture of liquid metal. It looks like the world's most expensive primer job and the CL65 wears it well.
What's Edmunds' take?
The Mercedes to buy when you have nothing left to spend your money on. Serious drivers should consider the lighter, more nimble CL63 AMG instead. — Ed Hellwig, Senior Editor
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