The exceptional qualities of the AMG V12 engine resulted in it being singled out at the "International Engine of the Year Awards 2004": in the "Best Performance Engine" category, the 450-kW/612-hp AMG power unit was crowned the winner, beating off a strong field of 70 competitors from Europe, the US and Japan. In the AMG engine manufacturing facility, each engine is traditionally built according to the "One man, one engine" philosophy. That means that each complete AMG V12 engine is hand-assembled from start to finish by a single engineer in accordance with the strictest quality standards - as documented by the engineer's signature on the AMG engine plate.
State-of-the-art technology with motorsport know-how
The twelve-cylinder biturbo engine in the CL 65 AMG features the very latest technology from the world of motorsport. Highly resilient components and materials guarantee consistently high power and torque levels, even at extreme operating temperatures. These include, for example, the precision-balanced crankshaft made out of high-strength materials, forged pistons made out of special material which is extremely resistant to temperature and pressure, a more effective oil-spray cooling system with a separate individual nozzle for each piston, plus larger piston pins. The main and big-end bearings are also made out of a higher-grade material to compensate for temperature and pressure peaks more effectively. The charge cycle in the cylinder heads benefits from optimised combustion chambers and longer opening times of the intake valves. A modified oil pump ensures that all lubrication points are supplied with oil - even under highly demanding conditions. An engine oil cooler is integrated into the AMG front apron, with an additional engine coolant radiator located in the wheel arch.
Extra efficient principle for charge-air cooler
The charge-air cooler has also been redesigned with a low-temperature radiator in the front of the vehicle that is around 70 per cent larger. The system works on the principle of an air-to-water heat exchanger for particularly effective cooling of the intake air (which has been compressed by the turbochargers) before it enters the combustion chambers. The increased surface area of the low-temperature radiator results in a 25 per cent reduction in intake temperature at full throttle and guarantees high power and torque output under all operating conditions and regardless of the outside temperature. The housings of the compressor and turbine in both turbochargers as well as the turbine and compressor wheels have been enlarged, resulting in a maximum charge pressure of 1.5 bar.
The electronically controlled fuel supply with newly developed components operates with a variable system pressure between 3.6 and 5.0 bar. The fuel pressure is regulated variably and instantaneously in accordance with the power requirements and outside temperature. The engine management system translates the command from the accelerator within milliseconds, resulting in an extremely fast response from the engine in all load situations.
AMG sports exhaust system for typical AMG twelve-cylinder vocals
The characteristic AMG twelve-cylinder sound is ensured by the AMG sports exhaust system with two twin chromed tailpipes in the exclusive AMG V12 design. Catalytic converters with tri-metallic coating provide a faster response from a cold start, more efficient exhaust-gas aftertreatment and a longer service life. The CL 65 AMG complies with the EU 4 emissions standard as well as specific requirements of the US market.
Key data for the CL 65 AMG at a glance:
CL 65 AMG
Cylinder configuration/valves per cylinder V12/3
Displacement cc 5980
Bore x stroke mm 82.6 x 93.0
Compression ratio 9.0 : 1
Output kW/hp at rpm 450/612 4800-5100
Max. torque Nm at rpm 1000* 2000-4000
Acceleration 0-100 km/h 4.4 sec
Top speed km/h 250* electronically limited
AMG SPEEDSHIFT 5-speed automatic transmission with steering-wheel gearshift paddles
The drive power of the new CL 65 AMG is transmitted to the wheels by the AMG SPEEDSHIFT 5-speed automatic transmission with AMG gearshift paddles and DIRECT SELECT gearshift. An "S/C/M" button in the centre console allows the driver to choose between the"Sport", "Comfort" and "Manual" driving modes. As well as changing the transmission characteristics, these modify the accelerator response and the spring/damper settings of the AMG sports suspension based on Active Body Control. Gears can also be shifted manually at any time by means of the silver-coloured aluminium shift paddles on the AMG ergonomic sports steering wheel.
The AMG V12 power unit's torque delivery of 1000 Newton metres (electronically limited) calls for a powertrain that has been systematically reinforced. In the automatic transmission, this includes newly developed clutch plates with a high-quality metallic coating and the modified shift and torque converter lock-up logic. Redesigned drive shafts, larger hub carriers as well as strengthened steel spring links supplement these measures.