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The Brabus 'Rocket' CLS

German Mercedes tuners Brabus have added the CLS to their range. By carefully inserting the 730 bhp 6.3-litre twin-turbo V12 into the engine-bay, they have achieved performance figures of 0 - 300 km/h in 29.5 seconds and an electronically-limited top speed of 350 km/h. And if you're interested, 0 - 100 km/h comes up in 4.0 seconds, while adding another 100 km/h to that will take just another 6.5 seconds.

Justifiably entitled 'ROCKET', at the heart of this new high-performance car lies the V12 twin-turbo engine from the SL 600. BRABUS fits the engine with a special crankshaft, increases the cylinder bore and installs forged pistons, resulting in a increased displacement of 6,233 ccm. In addition the BRABUS powerplant engineers equip the engine with custom-made larger turbochargers, more efficient intercoolers and a stainless-steel high-performance exhaust system with low back pressure metal catalysts and four tailpipes. Newly programmed engine electronics coordinate all new components and contribute not only to maximum power yield but also to meeting all current legal emission limits.

The BRABUS S V12 S Biturbo engine becomes the most powerful TÜV-tested engine from Germany.

Naturally it is essential that the unique performance the world's fastest four-door coupe is capable of can be safely controlled at all times. To do so, BRABUS has developed two special suspensions for the ROCKET: The comfort version features air suspension with automatic ride leveling. The sport version comes with a height-adjustable coil-over suspension and gas-pressure shocks with six different settings for bound and rebound on front and rear axle.

To brake the ROCKET, the engineers have developed, at the front, 375 x 36 mm vented ceramics discs and 12-piston aluminum fixed calipers, while the rear axle features steel discs (355 x 28 mm) and 6-piston aluminum fixed calipers. The giant brakes and the enormous performance necessitate the use of multi-piece 19" BRABUS Monoblock S light-alloy wheels, and BRABUS technology partners Pirelli and Yokohama provide the high-performance tyres (255/35 ZR 19 front, 285/30 ZR 19 rear) suitable for these highs speeds.

Visually, BRABUS has developed a front apron for the ROCKET with large air inlets for optimal cooling of oil and water radiators. At the rear is the BRABUS rear spoiler on the boot, while underneath the back of the car the four tailpipes of the BRABUS high-performance exhaust system come complete with an integrated diffuser that also contributes to the aerodynamics.

Inside the car, soft and breathable BRABUS Mastik leather and Alcantara are combined with an ergonomically-shaped BRABUS sport steering wheel - and of course a speedometer that reads to 360-km/h.

Text: Classic Driver
Photos: Brabus


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