Hot News!!! 2012 Mercedes CLS63 AMG (RENNtech) Drag Video – 11.37 @ 125.01 mph (201 km/h) Road Test TV
October 15th, 2011 by Road Test TV
After getting rained out two days ago, tonight we were finally able to drag test a 2012 Mercedes CLS63 with a RENNtech Stage 1 tune at Palm Beach International Raceway. As you will see below, the numbers are impressive.
As most know, for 2012 Mercedes tossed the naturally aspirated 6.2 liter engine (rated @ 507 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque) in favor of a brand new 5.5-liter twin-turbocharged V8. The new V8 BiTurbo is rated at 518 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque in the base CLS63. Available as an extra cost option is the “AMG Performance Package” which cranks up the boost on the Benz’s twin turbos from 14.5 psi to 18.8 psi. The extra boost increases horsepower from 518 to 550 hp, and torque from 516 to 590 lb-ft.
Our test vehicle was a base 2012 Mercedes CLS63, non “Performance Package” model, equipped with a RENNtech stage 1 tune. Our CLS63 still had stock airboxes, OEM air filters and stock exhaust (i.e. Tune only). To take the traction variable out of the equation, we bolted on a set of Nitto 18 inch NT05 drag radials. Since the car was brand new and didn’t belong to us, we agreed to go easy on the launches. The launch method we used consisted of placing the transmission in S+ (Sport Plus mode), and launching off the line from an idle (Launch Control was not used). Even though it was hot (85 F degrees), and humid with a DA of nearly 2000 feet above sea level, the RENNtech CLS63 laid down some impressive numbers:
0 – 60 mph (99 km/h) 3.4 seconds – VBox
0 – 100 mph (161 km/h) 7.7 seconds – VBox
1/4 mile – 11.37 @ 125.01 mph (201 km/h) – PBIR’s timing devices.
During the night, we spoke to many racers, including a few GT-R and Mustang owners, who advised us that the hot, humid air slowed their cars down .2 – .3 tenths of a second and 2-3 mph in the quarter mile. Accordingly, in good air with launch control, this 2012 CLS63 with only a RENNtech Stage 1 tune should be able to run 11.00s @ 127 -128 mph. That, my friends, is moving.
