Performance Review: Mercedes CL Class 65 AMG Bi Turbo - [2003]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Mercedes CL Class Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Mercedes CL Class 65 AMG Bi Turbo is the 5 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 2003. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2004 Westfield Sport 2000S and the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII MR FQ 400.This particular Mercedes CL Class has a 5980cc Twin Turbo Petrol powerplant with 12 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V12's includes the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Spider 6.5 V12

The CL Class shares its Petrol V12 engine configuration with the likes of the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Spider 6.5 V12 and the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Coupe 6.5 V12. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the CL Class's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 2155 kgs (4750 lbs) this makes the Mercedes CL Class 65 AMG Bi Turbo in the same weight category as the 2022 Lamborghini Urus Performante Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Mercedes CL Class shares the same bhp with the 2023 Ferrari Roma Spider 3.9 V8 Turbo (611 bhp)

In terms of power the 5980cc 36V V12 engine produces 612 bhp (456 kW) @ 6500 rpm similar to the 2023 Ferrari Roma Spider 3.9 V8 Turbo (611 bhp) or the 2023 BMW X5 M Competition 4.4 Turbo F95 (616 bhp).

The Twin Turbo V12 throws out 738 lb-ft (1000.5 Nm) @ 5950 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Lotus Eletre R 905 bhp (726 lb-ft) or the 2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 6.2 V8 Supercharged C8 (715 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Mercedes CL Class you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2016 Mercedes E Class 63 S AMG 4Matic Saloon (308.9 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Mercedes CL Class.

The Mercedes CL Class has a Power to weight ratio of 283.9 bhp per ton and 342.4 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2003 CL Class competing with the 2016 Mercedes E Class 63 S AMG 4Matic Saloon (308.9 bhp per ton) or the 2020 Aston-Martin Vantage Roadster 4.0 V8 Turbo (308.9 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Mercedes CL Class generating around 342.4 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2015 Ferrari F12 tdf 6.3 V12 (367.4 lb-ft per ton) or the 2018 McLaren 600LT 3.8 V8 Bi-Turbo (366.4 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.30 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 4.4 secs, this made the Mercedes CL Class 65 AMG Bi Turbo as fast as the 2023 Lotus Eletre 603 bhp (4.30 secs) the 2023 Lotus Emira First Edition i4 2.0 Turbo (4.30 secs) the 2022 BMW Z4 M40i 3.0 Turbo (4.30 secs) the or the 2022 Lotus Eletre S 603 bhp (4.30 secs). This Mercedes CL Class 65 AMG Bi Turbo is also faster than the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe S 4.0 V8 Turbo (4.40 secs) the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S 4.0 V8 Turbo (4.40 secs) the 2020 Bentley Bentayga 4.0 V8 Turbo (4.40 secs) the and the 2020 Maserati Quattroporte Trofeo 3.8 V8 Twin Turbo (4.40 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the CL Class and the 1993 Porsche 968 3.0 Turbo S

When talking about the performance of the Mercedes CL Class on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.52 secs @ 109.3 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1993 Porsche 968 3.0 Turbo S (12.46 secs), the 1992 Maserati Ghibli 2.0 V6 Biturbo (12.46 secs), and the 1970 Aston-Martin DBS Coupe 5.3 V8 (12.47 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2003 version of the Mercedes CL Class 65 AMG Bi Turbo has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 2003 CL Class equals the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2003 Mercedes CL Class 65 AMG Bi Turbo then how about the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph), the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (166 mph), or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 5.0 V8 (166 mph).

Related Links:

2003 CL Class Rivals List.

A Brief History of Mercedes

Car Comparison