The same Tesla Model S that successfully beat a Dodge Viper in a quarter-mile showdown is back this week going up against a Mercedes E63 AMG.
Instant torque is a wonderful thing yet EVs in general are not popular amongst gearheads and probably never will be. That doesn’t distract from the fact the new Tesla Model S is quite the performance machine. For last week’s installment of Drag Race Tuesdays we saw the Model S successfully beat the Dodge Viper SRT10 on a quarter mile strip. As a result, it set a new record as the world’s fastest production EV.
Now that same Model S is back, this time going up against a RENNtech-tuned Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG. So can the mighty EV repeat its incredible performance from last week? Check out this week’s quarter-mile showdown to find out.
We recently attended the StreetCarDrags.com event held at Palm Beach International Raceway on May 6, 2012. This is the 3rd StreetCarDragsevent we attended, and, as before, many amazing cars showed up to race including multiple Corvette ZR1s, GTRs, Vipers, Evos, Camaros and some Benzes. Trophies were awarded for the Fastest American Car, Fastest Japanese Car, Fastest European Car, Best 60 foot time and Best Reaction Time.
The Benz that brought home the trophy for the Fastest European car was RENNtech’s 2012 CLS63 with a stout 10.79 @ 130.77 mph. RENNtech brought out a few of its project cars and gladly accepted our request to strap some of our test equipment into its record setting 2012 CLS63 to get some performance numbers.
May in South Florida is generally warm and humid, and May 6th was no exception. At the time of our testing, the temperatures were in the mid to high 80s with a density altitude of over 2000 feet. Despite the less than desirable conditions, the acceleration numbers were staggering from RENNtech’s warmed over V8 BiTurbo CLS63 …. as you can see from the data below:
RENNtech STOCK
0 to 60 mph 3.0 seconds ( 4.2 seconds)
0 to 100 mph 6.5 seconds ( 9.2 seconds)
60 to 130 mph 7.6 seconds (11.4 seconds)
The RENNtech CLS63 has the following mods: RENNtech modified ECU, larger heat exchanger, high efficiency intercooler pump, 100% locking differential, high flow downpipes with 200 cell cats, drag radials and front skinnies. The RENNtech CLS is still equipped with its stock turbos and stock airboxes (for now..), and the car retains all of its stock interior as no weight was taken out of the vehicle.
We also got a chance to log some miles on this car after the event and can say, without hesitation, that the rush of power from the RENNtech mods is eye ball flattening at every RPM. However, the RENNtech CLS63 is a docile as a stock CLS63 for everyday use.
An otherwise bone stock, tune only 2012 Mercedes E 63 ran an incredible 11.15 @ 126.7 mph quarter mile this past weekend at Palm Beach International Raceway. The E63 dynoyed an impressive 578.33 horsepower and 621.93 ft/lbs of torque at the wheels (680 horsepower and 732 ft-lbs of torque at the crank) with the RENNtech tune installed. That is a 100 horsepower gain over stock!
The run was made with the stock exhaust, stock wheels and OEM street tires in 80 degree temps with damp track conditions. Needless to say, we expect quite a bit more out of the new biturbo E63 and will certainly be breaking into the 10′s very shortly.
Stay tuned as we continue to push the performance of Mercedes latest powerhouse.
The RENNtech modified L4P SLR 777 once again shattered its own world record last week with an astonishing quarter mile run of 9.68 @ 142 mph! This run bested its previous quarter mile time of 9.76 @ 140 mph achieved in January earlier this year.
Further development on the SLR was made after its previous record run in order to extract maximum performance form every aspect of the vehicles power train. Focus was placed on the intake and exhaust potions of the engine with modifications made to the throttle body, fuel delivery and injector setup as well as additional changes to the exhaust header and muffler.
This unprecedented run once again makes the RENNtech modified SLR the worlds fastest Mercedes and ensures this king of the quarter mile will not easily be dethroned.
Here is a video of the the SLR making a few passes and the record run-
RENNtech powered SLR once again shattered its own 1/4 mile record of 10.29 @ 134 mph (215 kmh), with an astonishing 9.76 @ 140.8 mph (226 kmh) run!
The SLR (L4P SLR 777) features full compliment of RENNtech performance and exterior modifications in addition to a full Mansory Renovatio body kit; making this SLR not only beautiful, but deadly quick. This vehicle was also the December 2011 cover vehicle of Dupont Registry and part of this years SEMA show.
The 9.76 1/4 mile time officially makes the SLR 777 not only the fastest Mercedes Benz on the planet, but also is the World’s First Mercedes Benz powered Mercedes to run 9s in the quarter mile.
RENNtech’s 2012 CLS63 broke the 11 second barrier by running the 1/4 mile in 10.98 @ 129.40 mph (208 kmh)! This officially makes it the world’s fastest CLS63.
Our latest run surpasses our previous 1/4 mile time in the same vehicle with a previous record of 11.21 @ 126 mph with only a tune and drag radials posted last month. Since then we have added a RENNtech 100% locking limited slip differential and an in development performance exhaust modification in addition to our performance ECU upgrade. The new biturbo engine now makes 688 crank horsepower and 765 lb/ft of torque; transforming the CLS63 into an all out road rocket! The vehicle made the pass in S+ (Sport Plus) and made the run from idle without launch control activated.
To view our ever expanding product line for the new Mercedes biturbo engines, visit our webpage by clicking here:
I love the aftermarket. They are the fringe chefs of the auto world. No content with the way something is made, they will take a classic dish-say, risotto – and then add crazy stuff to it like maple syrup and essence of deadly sea urchin. You might think, “What are you doing?? It was delicious the way it is!” But then chefRENNtech presents his 2012 Mercedes CLS63 AMG risotto and after a taste, you stop complaining. Because RENNtech has found that with a simple tune you can extract another 100 wheel horsepower. Yum.
I’m not that surprised the CLS has big power potential, because it has a big V-8 with two turbos feeding it air like it’s making foie gras. But I didn’t think you could get 100WHP out of a simple chip. AMG cars always respond well to mods, but this is ridiculous. The other day we were discussing which is a better idea, buying a CLS 550 and chipping it, or dropping significantly more money for the AMG. Well RENNtech dyno’d all of them, including a CLS63 AMG with the performance package, and one without. Check out the dyno below.
The blue line is a stock CLS63 AMG without the added Performance Package. Red line has the $7,500 Performance Package option ticked, raising power from 518HP/516tq to 550HP/590 tq. The Performance Package isn’t anything intense, it just raises boost from 14.5psi to 18.8. On the dyno, they put down 483WHP/478tq and 516WHP/544tq, respectively. So that means A, they’re both really fast and powerful and B, both are a little under-rated from the factory. Despite what your forum or 13 year old cousin has said, these cars are fast as hell. I know its 0-60 time (4.4) isn’t as fast as the Nissan R38 that had twin-supra motors and really strong guy pushing behind it, but in the real world the CLS63 AMG is fast as hell. I spent a week with one. The only place this car is slow is on the internet.
Then RENNtech starts throwing things in the pot, to satisfy crazy people like your cousin or wealthy Russians. Or wealthy anyone, really. Their chip gives the CLS a little more of the boost it craves so much, and just like that, it is putting down 583WHP and 643 torques. These aren’t gains at the crank (those numbers are 669hp/734tq. Yes, that is a “7″), this is at the wheels. You know, the part that pushes on the ground? This brings the 0-60 time down to 3.4 seconds, and the 1/4 mile is gone in 11.3s (or 11.2 with DRs).
We finally got a little cooler weather here in South Florida (high 60s – low 70s) and had the opportunity to make a few passes down the quarter mile in another 2012 RENNtech CLS63 at Palm Beach International Raceway.
To give some background, for 2012, AMG has upped the ante with the CLS63 by adding a new direct injected BiTurbo V8. The base 5.5 liter V8 Bi turbo is rated at 518 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque at the crank. In addition, AMG offers a “Performance Package” for those who want more. The “Performance Package” raises the boost on the turbos from 14.5 psi to 18.8 psi. As a result, horsepower jumps from 518 to 550 and torque from 516 lb-ft to 590.
We found out that Mercedes Benz was very conservative with its horsepower ratings, because on a Dynojet dynamometer at RENNtech, the new 5.5 liter V8 BiTurbo in base form made 556 horsepower and 550 ft-lbs of torque (473.24 horsepower and 468.22 ft/lbs of torque at the wheels). Note, this was the base CLS63 that is rated at 518 hp and 516 ft/lbs of torque. But this motor makes some serious power with a tune. With a RENNtech tune only, the base CLS63 made 669 horsepower and 734 ft-lbs of torque (569.13 horsepower and 624.94 ft/lbs of torque at the wheels).
Back to the dragstrip…… So, during the run in the video below, we had the opportunity to line up against a 2012 Nissan GTR. As everyone knows, not too many vehicles can hang with a Nissan GTR with its eyeball flattening 0 to 60 times. However, the big 4400 lb, 4 seater 2012 CLS63 more than held its own against Godzilla, running an amazing 11.21 @ 126.3 mph (203 kph) to the GTRs 11.11 @ 124 mph (200 kph). Enjoy.
The RENNtech ECU upgrade is the ultimate tune for the BMW X5/X6M! Our tune allows the SUV to run an astonishing 11.99 @ 114.05 mph in the quarter mile. Our ECU also alows the M SUV to accelerate from 0-60 mph in 3.75 seconds and 0-100 mph in a mere 9.2 seconds!
Our proprietary BMW ECU upgrade offers rock solid performance from RENNtech, the foremost tuning authority on Bosch and Siemens engine control units.
These same units are utilized in Mercedes Benz vehicles, which RENNtech has been tuning since electronic engine management started to show up in vehicles during the mid 1980′s, though our proprietary tuning software and approach for BMW is completely unique and independent from our Mercedes tuning program.
RENNtech tuning software for BMW offers significant gains in performance and throttle response without sacrificing your daily driver BMW’s reliability.
By modifying ignition timing and throttle mapping, optimizing air/ fuel ratios, increasing the top speed limiter, improving engine cooling and modifying boost mapping for turbo charged vehicles; RENNtech performance software unleashes your BMW’s true potential.
Stock Performance BMW X5/X6M (E70/E71 S63B44 V8 Biturbo M)
555 HP @ 6500 RPM / 500 TQ @ 3600 RPM
Gains:
625 HP @ 6500 RPM / 600 TQ @ 3600 RPM
Visit our website for additional information and pricing by clicking here:
RENNtech is proud to have partnered with Exotics Boutique, MA Carbon and Luxury4Play to create this increadible SLR which is receiving huge press and is this months cover car on the November 2011 issue of Dupont Registry. This SLR is loaded with a host of RENNtech goodies and has attained the status of “Worlds Fastest SLR”; cutting a 10.29 @ 134 mph. Upgrades include:
RENNTECH SLR Performance Upgrades -ECU Upgrade -Pulley -Sports Catalytic Exhaust Upgrade -Stainless Sport Sound and Performance SLR Mufflers -Stainless Steel Headers The RENNTECH SLR headers are developed and tested completely in house. They’re hand built from mandrel-bent seamless tubing, CNC machined stainless flanges, and include integrated o2 sensor mounting locations. The addition of these headers creates a deep distinctive yet harmonious sound which is entirely unique to any other sports car on the road. RENNTECH latest second generation intercooler pump; Dual kit, plus larger front intercooler. (intercooler pump flows an impressive 8.7 G.P.M. @ 11.6 P.S.I. compared to the OEM pumps 3.00 G.P.M.)
RENNTECH Motor Sport Suspension Package 4 -Racing Coilovers with 3 way adjustability and remote reservoir (for better cooling) -Race technology shocks
Custom Front Hydraulic Lift kit with Remote -The HLS 2 (Hydraulic Lift System) provides additional road clearance for lowered vehicles by raising the front axle suspension via the push of a button. When expanded, a range of up to 45 mm of lift is produced, thereby helping sport cars avoid road clearance difficulties such as speed bumps, road construction, etc. The system contained within the rear of the vehicle and is actuated by a push button on the optional remote (there by eliminating the need for any interior wiring).
RENNTECH Mercedes 722.6 Five Speed Transmission upgrade -With increased engine performance it becomes necessary to further improve the drive line components, most importantly the transmission in order to ensure maximum power is transmitted to the drive wheels without transmission slippage. This cannot be realized with software and only truly be accomplished by an internal mechanical upgrade to the transmission hardware. Our upgrade leads to improved shift response, shift timing and greater drivability under extreme conditions without sacrificing around town comfort. Our mechanical upgrades provide years of trouble free operation and have been tested to in vehicles producing over 800 hp and 1000 lb/ft of torque. The transmission is reassembled using all new gaskets, seals, o-rings, electrical connectors as well as a new transmission pan filter.
RENNTECH Performance differential, Super-Lock LSD -Functions as a traditional open differential in low and normal-load situations, transforming smoothly into a 100% full lock as loads rise.
