Current cars not powerful enough for you?

[chris]

Well, if the current crop of fairly fast cars are not enough for you, then, Mercedes Benz in Australia may be able to help..

I read in the weekend newspaper that we will get the ultimate Benz, the storming CL65 AMG, a 450kW, 1000Nm V12 Biturbo monster.

Another interesting bit the report had was the fact that the Biturbo V12 had 1200Nm of torque, in pre-production form, but AMG decided to detune it, to suit the transmission better. Apparently a lot of re-engineering had to be done to cope with the prodigious torque from the engine.

The 1000Nm is already available from around 2000rpm. This will no doubt make overtaking a breathtaking experience.

The reason behind the development of the good looking CL65 was simple, apparently. AMG had some customers who would say, yeah, the V8 Kompressor engine is nice, but, have you got something more special, and better, coming out?

Hard to believe anyone could find the performance of an AMG Kompressor V8 (350kW, 700Nm@2650rpm) underwhelming, but, it seems some of the crazed, power addicted folks want something powerful enough to move the universe.. ^_^

It'll cost about AUD$400,000, so, start saving up, now.. ;)

I'd also place a bet on this CL65's engine appearing again, in SL65 AMG and S65 AMG models, too. Benz usually fits the best engines to all models where the engine will work.

[VQ]

Well I would just do up a Commodore and save $250,000 or more and stil have a better car that has cheaper parts and more tuning possibilites even after it was done up, heck if I had that monay I'd ask CSv to buld a LWB Merc beater with more power and the same level of speed and stuff from a Caddy Northdstar engine as itz quieter I think. Otherwise a Nicely supercharged LS1 proly twin screw blower from Peter Starr.

[chris]

Define what you mean by "a better car".

Some people might see what you think as a better car, being a worse car.

Using a Commodore base, you already will be without the active body control, and air-suspension, to start with. The air-suspension really is better than the normal suspension systems. The difference is quite dramatic.

And you'll be stuck with the Commodores in-built problems, too, unless, you want to design a completely new bodywork for it, in the wind-tunnel, and eliminate wind-noise, and other aural irritants.

So, after you've done all of that, have you really saved money? And who provides your warranty? ;) What happens if something goes wrong. Who provides the service for it?

And also, I might mention the big proportion of the CL65's price that is snapped up by our greedy government.

[VQ]

Yeah aour goverment is stupid I mean look at the price of fuel 48 cents of tax!!! Itz insane!
Also u gaet get air bag suspension for 5 grand at the moment U know and they have fitted them to Commodores.

[chris]

I'll see if I can find some diagrams of the Mercedes Benz air-suspension.

It's a brilliant system, and works well. Try a air-suspended S-Class, and then, try another Benz with just normal steel-suspension, and, the difference is dramatic.

In effect, Benz' system, when combined with the Active Body Control, is a form of active suspension, basically.

The Benz' with air-suspension are the only cars I know of, that can match the super-soft ride quality of the old Citroën DS. It might be near 50 years old, but, the quirky Citroën can still teach others a lesson, when it comes to ironing out rough roads.