2013 Mercedes-Benz CL600 and CL65 AMG - C/D Underbelly

C/D Underbelly takes you on a technical tour of the coolest and most interesting cars that swing through Car and Driver HQ.
This first installment sees technical editor Eric Tingwall comparing and contrasting the V-12--powered Mercedes-Benz CL600 and CL65 AMG.

[@mujjuman]

Thank you for the comparison. We need more videos like this

[@carnut9193]

The larger brakes don't make it stop any faster as both brakes are able overcome the tire friction. Where the 65 AMG's brakes do come into there own is when you do repeated stops, or high speed braking like on the autobahn (basically fade resistance).

[@Romanamon]

Love engineering stuff like this, keep it coming!

[@Jcwadventures]

Didnt think much about the title of the video but it was interesting seeing the differences. You should make this a regular feature of some sort. A good would be a comparsion of the BMW 335i compared to the new M3 when its released

[@hovnojede010101]

Great, more of these!

[@thabutcha16]

Great video. I would love to see other comparo's as well

[@jamdc2000]

great video, it remindes me BestMotoring, hope more videos like this one in the near future, congrats to all the C&D team for the idea and keep them coming

[@Aznprada]

If you are going to talk about the brake calipers, why not take the wheel off? Just a thought...

[@jazzarito]

Yes. The new 65s are now getting the 7 speed. The CL is still waiting for its refresh which will probably be in 2015.

[@Turdskin1]

Great job guys.

[@JohnUnit]

more of this. great cars to start with too.

[@ErwinSchrodinger64]

I agree, this video is made for the real car lovers. I love this technical aspect especially when it comes to dealing with high performance videos. Like a previous person stated: it would be interesting to do a video on the BBW 335is(with it's monstor torque) vs the BMW M3 (which has a lot less torque but higher horsepower). A video on the various traction control systems like AWD, 4-wheel drive, ....ect in various sport cars and a video on the rapid changing technology in transmissions.

[@hashim11989]

Love it, keep em coming

[@douglaslbutler]

nice work!

[@MyCatInABox]

I just LOVE these under-body videos. Their great. BTW- all of these Mercs? ...with this beastly AMG M275 V12 engine up front? They MUST have a seriously beefy rear end. -AND beefy rear bearings, both wheel and differential.

[@Mikelaren101]

Now this is cool, its nice to see a car from the outside and its glamour, but its nice to see whats under the hood :)

[@rombierto]

Can you explain the wheel spats and more of the aero aspects of the cars?

[@winsevenholic]

love the video :)

[@IRISHBULLYBOY]

graet vid,thanks.

[@twilson1973]

Nice video. What an impressive car.

[@Paulose54]

Great vid

[@miledplayer]

i think i would be happy even with CL600

[@sidescrollin]

to a stop faster in a shorter distance?? did you check them both from 150-0mph?

[@flapjack7132]

very good job man

[@mornadu]

Awesome!

[@Scuba_Son]

Burning presentation. Good content.

[@freibier]

Very interesting - you can only watch so many videos of a guy going sideways with smoking tires screaming "this car is awesome!", sometimes it is also interesting to get some technical details. More videos like this, please!

[@taylorc9480]

Good stuff man!

[@lebmingling]

keep it coming

[@milxl]

very interesting !

[@joelcrow]

No thanks I'll take the comfy, floaty, yacht interior version of the CL600 please. One of the all-time most beautiful cars Mercedes has in its history!

[@paulcug]

Cool video

[@victorgarciap.4788]

What are the videos of the end?

[@kumbackquatsta]

more v12 videos, lets do some w12s too, or the w16 in the veyron!!

[@tonistoned8565]

Does the CL65 in its softest ABC setting still have a sporty rode or would you say it is comfortable as an S-Class limousine? How is the ride comfort compared to the CL600? Or can both be set as soft as the other one? And what about the seats, they are firmer in the CL65. But do they lose comfort because of it because they alsways limits our body movement capabilities?

[@14DENISS88]

Did they test the CL600? Where I can´t find it!

[@gavinsloma]

what that an open u shape rear control arm? seems cheapy for a car that is prices like a small home....

[@jamesp2705]

They have similar stopping distance for the brakes but the 65 AMG brakes can take repeated hard stopping whereas the 600 cannot

[@burk415]

I don't get why he compares the stopping distance on the two brake set-ups. Most modern braking systems on modern luxury cars will be the same. The point of the multiple caliper system, is better braking on light braking. The larger rotor is initially for surface area for stopping power, but you can only get so much stopping power until the tires can't handle it and you just turn on the abs. The main reason for the large diameter is the dispersion of heat, for less brake fade.

[@omciv88]

Honest question: is the $60K premium for the 65 really worth it if all you are getting is a somewhat unusable increase in power, some tuning differences, and a few badges? I feel like the CL63 (which, with the AMG Performance Package is the same price as a CL600) is the best bet unless you are looking for the status of the 65.

[@carnut9193]

Exactly!

[@PwnYouAtSoccer]

So basically what you're telling us is that the two are basically the same when not on the track...

[@AlenMajetic]

V12 with a small turbo will never have lag. It's not a 600cc engine lol

[@jazzarito]

The difference is highly noticible after 60, on the track, visually, audibly...

[@abdullahelhashimy7115]

how about for someone who just enjoys passion driving and cruising ? like who doesnt care about those seconds difference in acceleration ??

[@BassRacerx]

i believe the bigger front brakes are not for increased 100-0 mph but for 150-50 mph braking.

[@jazzarito]

Its always been basically a S Class coupe but now tthey're just going to place it under the S Class name. They're also going to make a convertible.

[@GalacticoAR]

i thought the amg is the same 6 litre engine but with twin turbos?

[@503TD]

Nice vid a little dark though

[@zhbroder]

we took a look at two cars that won't matter in 6 months

[@kurlis]

doesn't the new SL 65 has a 7 speed transmission

[@haroonkhaleel]

I've read online on a few sites that Mercedes is planning on discontinuing the CL-Class and reincorporating it back as an S-Class coupé. Thats kinds lame but it's just being rebadged more or less. I had a W215 CL600. Amazing car but a mechanical nightmare.

[@mtgear1]

heck even jay lenos garage shows more engineering detail

[@MercSLRFan]

So fucking awesome. Moooore

[@herpdadurrp]

That is one sexy CL65

[@uncleyosh]

The dude knows his stuff, but he may not be the best choice for on-camera stuff. C&D is funny and irreverent. Let's see that charisma come through on these videos. The right person can make even the most boring, technical demonstration exciting.

[@MrJam110104]

I own both and there's no comparison between the two CL 65 is far superior in every aspect

[@ashegheaty]

THE 600 ACCELERATES FASTER THAN THE 65????????¿

[@nightriders92]

also i've experienced the cl600 is slightly more smoother than the cl65 which is more stiff

[@sfflyer123]

This is a nice video, and the info is great, but I'd suggest that the speaker also take some public speaking classes. He can deliver the information much better and keep his audience's attention more if he were a dynamic speaker.

[@lilmukoh]

I liked this video "underbelly".. You should really do this with Audi RS models... Mercedes are kinda.. Meh...

[@jazzarito]

Both have twin turbos. Lol

[@fishf57410]

5:32... hmm interesting!

[@Madmonkeyitch]

"Push deeper?"

[@Lannesdelavega58]

Mercedes Benz AMG

[@AMDX1325]

MB forever

[@mainlymusicman]

so the cl600 is faster to 60 and nearly identical in cornering performance to the cl65. so what the hell did amg do to this car besides make it 60-70 k more expensive??? what an embarressment.

[@DarrellColeMCO]

Had a nice chuckle at his quote at 7:38. I'm a child.

[@wolfhunter360]

gotta admit it i own a Mercedes and a BMW and i still prefer the Mercedes More

[@ashegheaty]

G

[@amirkazemi2517]

nerd alert..nerd alert lol

[@amirkazemi2517]

super nerd

[@ZevGT3]

Boring...check out motor trend

[@zhbroder]

this video is very dry

[@markmun2645]

Most people including me-proud owner 0f a cl600-Don't care about Track.Thats left to our teenage boys.

[@Fussinated]

What a piece of crap, The more technology they add the more they loose the reliability of the car. As the terms goes; more gadgets, more stuff to go wrong

[@depellerinluc]

Painful to watch. Does this guy even have a drivers license?