Brabus CLS V12S Rocket W219

The problem with Mercedes tuners is that, while BMW shops face the unhappy task of improving on, say, the 500hp that an M5 makes from the factory, the former have to make a significant improvement on no less than 604hp in order to avoid embarrassment. That is the output of Mercedes' in-house 6.5-litre AMG V8, and also the one that Brabus has handily beat with its aptly named CLS-based 730-hp Rocket!The starting point of the Rocket is the 5.5-litre twin-turbo mill of Mercedes 600 fame, fitted with a special crankshaft, larger cylinder bores and forged pistons for a total displacement of 6233cc. Reshaped intake and outlet manifolds, new camshafts, larger turbos, new intercoolers, a stainless-steel exhaust system as well as reprogrammed engine electronics combine for a total increase of more than 200 horsepower, all while meeting current emission limits. Most impressive of all, the Rocket's thunderous 974 lb-ft of torque – electronically limited to 812, the quitters! – at 2100rpm will be an invaluable partner should you decide to tow mountains, planets or other large paraphernalia. Power is transferred to the rear wheels via a modified five-speed automatic transmission and Brabus locking differential.The result is that the previous "World's Fastest Sedan" record, held by the CLS V12 S Rocket at 218.2 mph (350.2 km/h), has just been usurped....by another Rocket, at 225.8 mph (362.4 km/h)! Getting to a halt from Rocket speeds requires ceramic front discs with 12-piston aluminium calipers and rear steelies with 6-piston calipers, all in Pizza-Hut XL Deep Dish Wide Crust diameters, complete with jalapeños and anchovies and extra cheese too. The Rocket is also available with two different suspension assemblies: comfort, featuring air suspension with automatic ride levelling, and sport, with a height-adjustable coil-over suspension and gas-pressure shocks with six different settings for bound and rebound.Brabus' multi-piece 19-inch wheels, custom front apron and other aerodynamic accoutrements adorn the exterior. To their credit Brabus managed, in these eyes at least, to retain most of the grace and fluidity of the stock CLS. They also created a half-million dollar four-door that can reach 60 mph in under 4 seconds and a limited top speed of 220 mph, and that, as we say on this page, is not a bad thing at all. - by Traian Popescu

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