Brabus SV12 S Biturbo Coupe: the lowdown
Environmental concerns? Soaring tax duties? Pah. Green issues are clearly a long way from the minds of the men in Bottrop, who today unveiled their latest loony coupe: the Brabus version of the CL. Prepare yourself for some calculator-challenging numbers. The renowned German tuners take a stock CL600 and increase capacity of the V12 from 5.5 to 6.3 litres. With two bigger turbochargers and bespoke Brabus crankshafts, cylinder heads and camshafts, outputs rise to 720bhp and 811lb ft of torque.
Sounds like this uber-CL might be a bit of a handful to drive…
Even standard Mercedes nowadays are pushing the power race to ridiculous new heights, and many would question the need for this Brabus version. It has electronically limited the SV12’s torque – unfettered, it would produce a tyre-troubling 974lb ft at just 2100rpm. Naturally, the CL is rear-wheel drive and we can’t help but worry that the ESP light is going to be permanently engaged. The transmission is a five-speed auto and a locking rear diff is optional to try and tame the torque. It’s correspondingly fast against the stopwatch, Brabus claiming a limited top speed of 211mph and 0-62mph in just 4.0sec.
What else do I get for my extra £16,000?
Brabus has developed aero aids to keep the SV12 stable at high speeds, and buyers can select a range of bodykits. Wheel options vary from the sensible (18-inchers) all the way up to the full bling effect of 21-inch rims. Although the SV12 is hardly in keeping with the times, Brabus has a good track record of tweaking fast Mercs and this CL’s spec sheet suggests it has been given a characteristically thorough going-over; the ABC air suspension has even been recalibrated to match the new wider tyres, lowering the ride height by 25mm, while bigger brakes are grabbed by 12-piston callipers at the front. One thing’s for sure though. The SV12 ain’t cheap. Prices for a complete car start at £123,000 – £16,000 more than the regular model.