Despite having to face increasing competition, the Mercedes Benz CL Class remains the best-selling coupe in the luxury segment, even in the fifth year of its lifecycle. More than 160,000 units of the S Class coupe have been sold worldwide since the vehicle was launched. During the first eleven months of 2004, more than 4,500 customers around the world bought one of the Mercedes-Benz four-seater luxury coupes.

“The CL is fascinating not only by virtue of its sporty yet elegant design, but also because of its pioneering technological concept,” says Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing, Mercedes Car Group. “The many Mercedes-Benz innovations found in the S-Class coupe are a reflection of our brand’s extensive technological expertise.”

In Australia, Mercedes-Benz recently expanded the CL-Class line-up with the addition of the new CL 65 AMG.

The new CL 65 AMG from Mercedes-AMG is one of the most powerful models the brand has produced since it was established. The exclusive Gran Turismo is powered by a 6-litre V12 engine whose biturbo technology gives it a level of performance previously unheard of in this engine size class: the twelve-cylinder AMG power plant has an output of 450 kW and develops its maximum torque of 1000 newton metres between 2000 and 4000 rpm. These impressive figures are responsible for a new dimension of performance: the CL 65 AMG can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds and on to an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h.

Power is transmitted by the AMG SPEEDSHIFT five-speed automatic transmission with steering-wheel gearshift controls. The engine's high maximum torque level of 1200 newton metres has been limited electronically to 1000 newton metres and an number of measures – including the adoption of newly clutch pack discs with a high-quality metal coating as well as modified shift and torque-converter-lockup logic – have been taken to optimise key transmission components. The modified drive shafts and upgraded hub carriers also reflect the high levels of power and torque available.

The CL 65 AMG is equipped as standard with Active Body Control (ABC) and special AMG spring struts with firmer damping. Fully reworked dynamic handling control systems such as ABS, Brake Assist, ASR and ESP® (Electronic Stability Programme) complement the enhanced chassis setup. In order to cope with the high power output of the AMG biturbo engine, the front wheels of the AMG V12 model are equipped with a newly developed, high-performance eight-piston composite brake system with 390 x 36 mm grey cast-iron discs and aluminium brake-disc bowls. Contact with the road is taken care of by AMG 19-inch twin-spoke wheels equipped with 245/40 ZR 19 tyres at the front and 275/35 ZR 19 tyres at the rear.

The CL 65 AMG features the distinctive, powerful looks of AMG styling. The front and rear aprons as well as the side skirts blend harmoniously with the timelessly elegant design of the Mercedes models. The chromed "V12 Biturbo" lettering on the front wings indicates the exceptional dynamic qualities, while the two chrome-finished twin tailpipes of the AMG sports exhaust system at a sporty touch at the rear.

Inside, a particularly stylish ambience is created by the extensive use of fine wood trim elements and the "Exclusive nappa" leather upholstery, which is available in three colours. Electrically adjustable AMG sports seats with the exclusive AMG upholstery piping layout and perforation pattern, optimised lateral support, multicontour and memory functions as well as seat heating make every journey in the CL 65 AMG a delight, whether it involves twisting country roads or long-distance motorway cruising. The distinctive style of the twelve-cylinder flagship model is rounded off by the AMG instrument cluster calibrated up to 360 km/h, the AMG ergonomic steering wheel with gearshift buttons, and the chromed stainless-steel door sills featuring the AMG logo.