The World’s Fastest Sedan · 31 August 06

Brabus, a leading Mercedes-Benz tuner, decided that the CLS 63 AMG’s 514 bhp rating wasn’t exciting enough. They decided to build the Rocket out of this beautifully designed sedan. Instead of a 6.3 L naturally aspirated V8, the engineers decided to transplant the 6.0 L bi-turbo V12 from the S65 AMG sedan into the CLS chassis. In stock form, this monstrous engine produces 612 bhp. By increasing the bore, using forged pistons and rods, and installing modified camshafts the V12 now pumps out an earth moving 730 bhp and a tractor-trailer like 973 lb-ft of torque.

By comparison, the 6.0 L V12 installed in the Ferrari Enzo produces 650 bhp and 485 lb-ft of torque.

To round out the tuning package, Brabus installed their usual goodies: stiffer springs and shocks, forged aluminum wheels, and ceramic brake discs with multi-piston calipers. Once the engineers were satisfied with the tuning, they decided to test out this sedan* at the famous Nardo circuit.

Nardo, located in southern Italy, is a 7.8-mile circuit. The track makes a perfect circle and is banked enough so that a driver does to move the steering wheel to stay pointed straight ahead. This is an ideal location to test the top speed of the Brabus Rocket.

Would you believe that this 4200 lb saloon could sustain over 225 mph? The Rocket has earned a place in the record books as the fastest ever street-legal sedan. The fastest speed obtained was 225.18 mph (362.4 kmh).

Here are the facts:

  • 6.2 L twin-turbo 36 valve V12
  • 730 bhp and 973 lb-ft
  • modified 5 speed automatic transmission
  • custom height adjustable coil-over suspension with Bilstein dampers
  • 6 compression and 6 rebound settings
  • 12 piston front calipers clamping down on 375 mm (14.7”) ceramic discs
  • 6 piston rear calipers clamping down on 355mm (13.9”) ceramic discs
  • 19×8.5” front wheels, 19×10” rear
  • 255/35/19 front tires, 385/30/19 rear tires
  • 0-100 kmh (62 mph) in 4.0 seconds, 0-200 kmh (124 mph) in 10.5

*technically, the CLS is a 4 door coupe due to the absence of the B-pillars