Kicherer has realised the value of absolute power by putting in some outstanding work into a Mercedes-Benz CL 65 AMG. The car is Benz's finest work as far as the coupe body type is concerned, already sporting a nice 612 hp/ 450kW V12 of two turbos and 1000Nm. Kicherer was never going to be satisfied as any power-hungry world car fan would know, and so decided to up the game a little. Later on that.
For the exterior they chose a few changes, headlined by 9 and 10 x 20" Kicherer RS-X lightweight wheels, carbon fiber mirror shells, rear diffuser, front grille and front apron whose deflector is also of the black light stuff. The exhaust system is a mirror-finished affair with four tailpipes, and supposedly makes the most glorious of sounds.
Inside as expected the CL 65 receives velvet glove treatment, from the alcantara ceiling, carbon intarsia, to the nappa leather seats, and handmade hand-worked shag pile carpet for the back. And now for the numbers you want. Kicherer has managed to squeeze out 38 more stallions out of the engine to give it a well-rounded 650 hp/ 486kW and oak-pulling 1200Nm. A rear diff lock helps plant it firmly on tar. For that you get 0 - 100km/h in 4.2 seconds and a limited 320km/h for your top end.
Elegance, luxury and force. Those are the words that best describe the current CL 65 Coupé, since it offers more than enough of each of those three qualities.
Elegance: The basis is provided by the CL 65’s powerfully elegant body. Kicherer refines its exterior with carbon components of superior quality. This carbon package includes a front grill, mirror shells, a rear diffuser and a front apron with a deflector made of the precious material. The chassis moves the car about 25 millimetres closer to the tarmac and provides it with a much sportier characteristic. At the rear, the mirror-finished stainless steel exhaust system with four opulent tailpipes is merged into a dynamical unity that provides acoustic qualities as well.
The 9 and 10 x 20” Kicherer RS-X lightweight wheels are a further highlight and will be available from the first quarter of 2009.
Due to its long spokes, the rim appears to be even larger, but, without loosing its elegance. Luxury: The interior allows the passengers to indulge in pure luxury. Exclusive quilted nappa leather seats, a hand-worked shag pile carpet covering the entire legroom, carbon intarsia and a fitting alcantara ceiling.
Force: Under the bonnet, a real power plant is lurking. Originally, the V12 biturbo had already been blessed with 612 hp and 1,000 Nm, but the performance has still been increased. After the Kicherer treatment, 650 hp and 1.200 Nm are waiting to be explored and push the heavy luxury glider from 0 to 100 km/h in less than 4.2 seconds. The top speed is only reached at 320
km/h (regulated).
In order to counterbalance those forces, Kicherer has added a high-performance braking system with composite brake discs. And, in order to transform those forces into performance, Kicherer has chosen a sports rear axle with differential lock, a modified translation and a reprogrammed transmission control system. Thus, the Kicherer CL 65 is the perfect incarnation of its three key qualities “elegance”, “luxury” and “force” – a trinity which is much more than the sum of its parts.
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