HP Wars not over: RENNTech announces 695 HP package for Mercedes AMG models
click above for more pics of the RENNTech AMG CL65
While Mercedes-Benz and AMG may be claiming that future high-performance models bearing the three-pointed star will not place such a heavy emphasis on high horsepower, that doesn't mean aftermarket tuner RENNTech is giving up the fight. The German tuner announced today a new Stage 3 package for any Mercedes AMG model powered by the company's twin-turbo 6.0L V12, a.k.a. the AMG 65-series of models. These include the S65, CL65 (shown) and the SL65 AMG.
Normally producing an already unreasonable 604 horsepower, the 65-Series TT V12 is improved with "next-generation ECU software" to get 695 HP and 890 lb-ft of torque. In addition to an extra 91 horsepower, RENNTech also claims its software tuning improves gas mileage and emissions. Of course, any bump in power requires a likewise improvement to heat management and airflow, so RENNTech also adds a bigger intercooler pump and secondary heat exchanger, as well as a pair of carbon fiber air filter boxes and new stainless steel sport mufflers. Be warned: the cost for all this will add another $18,990 plus labor to the cost of your AMG 65-Series. [Source: RENNTech via Jalopnik]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
chad.dawkins 1:13PM (1/29/2008)
Impressive, but they still cannot touch Brabus though.
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Jo. A. Borras 2:23PM (1/29/2008)
I'm not so sure Brabus and RENNtech have such similar goals. Brabus has always been about top speed, RENNtech more about acceleration and braking.
Check dragtimes.com, most of the really fast MB's out there are not Brabuses (Brabus'? Brabi?).
madgamer 5:15PM (1/29/2008)
I agree, I've always wondered how reliable these kits are versus how brabus does their cars, as brabus actually builds the internals, strokes out the engine, and more. It seems like upping the boost and making it breathe a bit better would just make it blow the engine faster if its not set up for it. As for the torque, brabus limits it to less than that (811ft lb down from just under 1000 if you uncorked it) even while running an upgraded transmission, so you know this thing just lunches the transmission if you actually punch it (and they haven't limited it to less than what they claim above).
Christopher Onwuasoanya 1:53PM (1/29/2008)
some body pinch me. Where in the United States would I fully deploy that much Horse Power? Cars like these are wasted on US consumers. Our roads and laws make these cars garage queens.
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info 2:57PM (1/29/2008)
What makes you think that they even had the US market in mind? Don't forget that in Germany you actually can take advantage of the performace of such cars.
Christopher Onwuasoanya 3:31PM (1/29/2008)
The biggest market for these cars happens to be right here in the US. Look at the numbers that they post and you will see that this is the biggest market.
Reuben 1:44PM (1/29/2008)
I thought M-B detuned these themselves to stop from blowing the rear. Pretty sure I read that somewhere... Oh well thats what you get sometimes with these insane aftermarket powers
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Russell 2:05PM (1/29/2008)
Whats the matter, no one likes 11 second quarter miles anymore.....
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L.Wood 2:23PM (1/29/2008)
Maybe we need to get government involved by having legislation written that assigns horsepower based upon income. The more you make the more horsepower you must have under the hood. This will help balance the haves with the have nots by making the haves spend more of their money on transportation than they otherwise might spend. Of course, I am kidding........................
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Kevin 3:01PM (1/29/2008)
Very impressive, and I'm sure it's stupid fast for a car of its size and weight.
But. I have to point out... My parents have an 07 S600, which I drive on occasion. That thing already has enough torque to give the traction control a seizure if you're not careful about where, when, and how hard you get on it. It's the only car I've driven where I actually consciously check to make sure that it's pointed absolutely, dead straight before I get on it. I don't have to do that with my STI, or with their ("their" being my parents') Cayenne Turbo S, and I don't do it to nearly the same extent with their E55. The 600, on the other hand... The rate at which that thing accelerates, ESPECIALLY given its substantial mass, and the way it does it virtually silently and without any drama of any kind... It's absolutely insane.
And you know, the thing is, if I recall from Car & Driver's tests, the SL65 is no faster to 60 than the SL600; it simply can't get enough traction to put down the additional power. And this is more powerful still. I'm sure it'd easily pull away from the 600 and the 65 if you were to floor it at triple digit speeds.... but in the U.S., my suspicion is that you'll NEVER see any difference in performance on a public road. It's hard enough to find enough space on the roads around here to let the 600 stretch its legs a bit.
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Brendan 4:17PM (1/29/2008)
It's an impressive number and all, but it's hauling how many pounds again?
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