2003 Mercedes-Benz CL65 AMG C215

• The 2003 Mercedes-Benz CL65 AMG C215 boasts a 6.0L twin-turbo V12 delivering 612 hp and 1000 Nm of torque.

• Limited production run of 777 units, making it a rare collector's item.

• Combines luxury and performance, featuring advanced technologies like Active Body Control suspension.

Understated Styling, Over-the-Top Intent

If you walked past it without knowing, the 2003 CL65 AMG might just register as a handsome grand tourer. Big grille, long hood, clean surfacing — it's elegant, not shouty. But look closer. Wider AMG bumpers, twin dual exhausts, staggered 18-inch alloys. It’s got that quiet menace. The C215’s lines flow confidently from nose to tail, the coupe stance low and smooth. No excessive creases or drama — just that classic early-2000s Mercedes presence, turned up a notch.

That V12: Brutal and Brilliant

Pop the hood and things escalate fast. The CL65 hides a 6.0-liter twin-turbocharged V12, hand-built by AMG. Output? A staggering 612 hp (450 kW) and 1000 Nm (738 lb-ft) of torque. It’ll do 0–100 km/h in 4.2 seconds, which is wild for a near-two-ton GT. The five-speed auto box may sound modest by today’s standards, but it handles torque like a champ. It’s that torque curve—available from just 2,000 rpm—that defines how this car moves. You don’t punch it, you unleash it.

Suspension Wizardry That Still Holds Up

Even back then, Mercedes wasn’t messing around with tech. The CL65 came standard with Active Body Control (ABC), a hydraulic system that fights body roll, pitch, and dive. So while it's heavy and long, it doesn’t wallow like you’d expect. That means it can hustle through bends with grace, or just float across miles of highway like a magic carpet. The brakes? Massive. Ventilated discs all around, built to tame that V12's momentum.

Inside: Plush, Precise, and Purposeful

Inside, the CL65 feels more like a high-speed boardroom. Everything’s wrapped in soft Nappa leather, with polished wood trim and AMG touches scattered throughout. The seats are big, supportive, and power-adjustable in a dozen directions. You’ve got dual-zone climate control, COMAND nav, and even early driver-assist options. It was top-tier kit for 2003 — and honestly, a lot still holds up.

Context: The Rarest Kind of Beast

Mercedes-AMG only built 777 of these worldwide. That alone sets the CL65 apart. But more than just rarity, it marked a peak — a time when AMG stuffed the most motor possible into the sleekest body they could find. Rivals like the BMW 760Li or Jaguar XJR offered their own spins on V12 power, but none felt quite this unfiltered. Today, it sits quietly on collector radars — not flashy, but deeply respected.

Final Word: Grace Meets Gut Punch

The 2003 Mercedes-Benz CL65 AMG C215 doesn’t yell about its capabilities — it just delivers. It’s big, it’s fast, and it’s strangely refined for something so capable of violence. A proper AMG, and maybe one of the best kept secrets in their back catalog.

Technical Specifications: 2003 Mercedes-Benz CL65 AMG (C215)

Performance

• Engine: 6.0L V12 Bi-Turbo (M275)

• Power Output: 612 hp (450 kW) @ 4,800–5,100 rpm

• Torque: 1,000 Nm (738 lb-ft) @ 2,000–4,000 rpm

• 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph): Approximately 4.4 seconds

• Top Speed: Electronically limited to 250 km/h (155 mph)

Body Measurements

• Length: 4,993 mm (196.6 inches)

• Width: 1,857 mm (73.1 inches)

• Height: 1,390 mm (54.7 inches)

• Wheelbase: 2,885 mm (113.6 inches)

• Curb Weight: Approximately 2,070 kg (4,564 lbs)

Powertrain

• Transmission: 5-speed automatic with AMG Speedshift

• Drivetrain: Rear-wheel drive (RWD)

• Fuel Type: Premium unleaded gasoline

• Fuel Economy (Combined): Approximately 14 MPG

Capacities

• Seating Capacity: 4 passengers

• Fuel Tank Capacity: Approximately 88 liters (23.2 gallons)

• Cargo Volume: Approximately 490 liters (17.3 cubic feet)

Price

• Original MSRP (2003): Estimated around $180,000 USD

• Current Market Value: Varies based on condition and mileage; examples have been listed between $25,000 and $40,000 USD .

Source