- German tuner Vath, a Mercedes-Benz specialist, puts more punch into the big CL coupe.
- Performance kits are available on several models, from the CL500 to the CL65 AMG.
- The top stage of tune takes the CL65 AMG up to 737 horsepower and 847 pound-feet of torque.
HOESBACH, Germany — Vath, a Mercedes-Benz specialist, has been tweaking cars since 1977. Its latest effort revolves around the Mercedes-Benz CL coupe, with performance kits available on several models, from the CL500 to the CL65 AMG.
The basic makeover on the 6.0-liter V12 that powers the CL65 AMG takes output up to 653 horsepower and bumps top speed to 186 mph. The full-boat V65RS further inflates those numbers, to 737 hp and 205 mph, respectively. Torque likewise jumps to a whopping 847 pound-feet.
Vath provides the appropriate hardware upgrades to take full advantage of the additional ponies, lowering the suspension, widening the front and rear track, fitting performance brakes and exhaust, and adding its own three-piece 20-inch forged alloy rims.
The specialist also cleans up the exterior, installing a carbon-fiber front lip spoiler, rear deck-lid spoiler and rear diffuser, as well as a carbon-fiber grille without the familiar three-pointed star logo.
The carbon-fiber interior package comes with an upgraded speedometer, aluminum pedals and a sport steering wheel in a choice of leather, wood or carbon.
Inside Line says: Makes for a wicked-looking CL coupe. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent
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clerk1892 says:
05:06 AM, 04/03/2011
I like icecubefosho's comment.. it doesn't look clean at all. What is with all of these german tuners making the cars look trashy? Carbon fiber accents with a glued-on, purchased from autozone look aren't cool. If you're going to do carbon fiber, go BIG (like entire sections of the car), and paint it the color of the car. The only people who LIKE the appearance carbon fiber are those without any class whatsoever. I know that's a polarizing statement, but who cares? Stay classy.
djd352 says:
08:38 PM, 04/01/2011
Ummm there's a V8 under the bonnet??? Do they maybe have both V8 and V12 models?
bmw__m5 says:
05:22 PM, 04/01/2011
Doy you think the CL is the new Eldorado or maybe Coupe DeVille.
icecubefosho says:
01:36 PM, 04/01/2011
How is adding a front lip spoiler, a decklid spoiler, and replicating the AMG rear diffuser, just with Carbon Fiber, and putting a "V" where the logo normally goes, considered "Cleaning up"?