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RENNtech has unveiled its its new ‘stage 3’ tuning package for all 65 series AMG models (CL 65, S 65, and SL 65).
Thanks to special ECU software RENNtech was able to bump up the power of the AMG models from an already impressive 604 horsepower to a staggering 695 horsepower and 890 lb-ft of torque.
In addition to the ECU upgrades RENNtech has also added a larger intercooler pump, a secondary heat exchanger and a pair of carbon fiber airboxes to keep the large V12 engine cool.
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PRESS RELEASE:
Lake Park, FL - 28JAN2008 - RENNtech PKG365
The last few years have seen a flood of 500 horsepower sedans almost
pouring out of Germany from BMW, Audi, and Mercedes-Benz. Earlier
this month, however, representatives from Mercedes and AMG announced
that the “horsepower wars” were over, saying that outright power would
no longer be the “main focus” for future sports sedans.
Apparently, no-one sent that “war over” memo to RENNTECH.
This morning, RENNTECH announced a new “stage 3″ tune for the 2008 65
series AMG models, which makes use of what RENNTECH calls
“next-generation ECU software” to get 695 hp and 890 lb-ft of torque
from the AMG’s twin-turbo V12.
“Power will always be important to many customers, especially torque.”
explains Hartmut Feyhl, RENNTECH’s president and ex technical director
of AMG North America. “Our cars have always been able to make
considerable torque, and have been praised in magazines for their
drivability. Still, we are constantly trying to improve our product.”
Commitment to constant improvement is one reason RENNTECH has become
known as one of the world’s premier tuning firms, and America’s
foremost authority on Mercedes-Benz. RENNTECH believes their new
software will further cement that knowledge in the public mind. “We
now have two in-house engineers that are doing software full-time, and
others that work with the software on a part-time or contract basis.
We are always looking for improvements. The latest software takes
advantage of the increased power of the new engine computers, and
offers a number of small improvements that add up to a big ‘overall’
improvement,” Feyhl explains. “It really is that ‘next-generation’
sort of product that is much more advanced than what we were capable
of offering before. Compared to earlier versions, our new software
gives customers more power and better drivability in a way that is
more reliable, smoother power curve, and even improves emissions and
gas mileage.”
In addition to the software upgrades, RENNTECH adds a larger
intercooler pump and secondary heat exchanger, as well as a pair of
carbon fiber airboxes to improve the flow of cool air into the big
AMG’s V12. The intercooler system upgrades reduce air intake
temperatures by more than 20 degrees, delivering more consistent power
compared to stock and allowing RENNTECH to more safely increase boost
throughout the rpm range.
RENNTECH’s stainless steel sport mufflers (also part of the new
package) produce a deep, distinctive growl that is suitably aggressive
for a high-end luxury car. Feyhl suggests that his mufflers “let the
car sound the way it is supposed to sound.”
With almost 900 lb-ft of torque available from the engine, RENNTECH’s
upgrades deliver a real, noticeable improvement in terms power and
acceleration compared to the already impressive performance of the
stock 65 series AMG cars. MSRP for RENNTECH’s new performance “PKG3″
for 65 series AMG is $18,990 (plus installation). PKG365 is available
for S65, CL65, and SL65 AMG. Contact RENNTECH for more.

Comments (20)
Jeeeeez! That is impressive. That is a hefty price-tag for that amount of power; but, I guess that's what ballers do for the best-of-the-best. Installation is probably quite pricey, as well. It's nice to know that RENNTECH is finding a way to put all that power down in a drivable manner.
Posted by Ronaldo Turnbull | January 29, 2008 8:26 PM
Posted on January 29, 2008 20:26
I feel like this has been done by companies like Brabus before, thus rendering the car completely and utterly undrivable at speed because of the absurd amount of power it generates. Hopefully this isn't the case, but Jesus Christ, I can't imagine how a RWD car would handle that reasonably.
Posted by Bliss | January 30, 2008 2:01 AM
Posted on January 30, 2008 02:01
It doesn't. Linsday Lohan owns a SL 65, which proves that point.
Posted by Chmilz | January 30, 2008 3:01 AM
Posted on January 30, 2008 03:01
I don't think Lindsay Lohans arrest at the hospital for DUI and possible cocaine use while driving her SL 65 proves anything about the handling of any car.
Posted by Ray | January 30, 2008 7:34 AM
Posted on January 30, 2008 07:34
WOW, another gas guzzling greenhouse gas producing over priced car for the market. It is just what everyone needs. With gas prices going up, it will probably cost more (in the long run) to fuel it than it costs to buy.
Posted by TomLeeM/BigWarpGuy | January 30, 2008 8:28 AM
Posted on January 30, 2008 08:28
Companies like Renntech renew my hope in humanity.
Posted by Cheap Car Lover | January 30, 2008 8:48 AM
Posted on January 30, 2008 08:48
Just because she was racing driver in Herbie Fully Loaded it doesn't mean she can drive at all. In fact we are talking about women who most of the time do other things while driving. As far as the car goes whith this new upgraide it becomes Fast, expensive, funeral.
Posted by Taras | January 30, 2008 8:54 AM
Posted on January 30, 2008 08:54
Just because she was racing driver in Herbie Fully Loaded it doesn't mean she can drive at all. In fact we are talking about women who most of the time do other things while driving. As far as the car goes whith this new upgraide it becomes Fast, expensive, funeral.
Posted by Taras | January 30, 2008 8:56 AM
Posted on January 30, 2008 08:56
Just because she was racing driver in Herbie Fully Loaded it doesn't mean she can drive at all. In fact we are talking about women who most of the time do other things while driving. As far as the car goes whith this new upgraide it becomes Fast, expensive, funeral.
Posted by Taras | January 30, 2008 10:11 AM
Posted on January 30, 2008 10:11
I like it. I can't help it. Somebody puleeeze give me one because I sure as hell can't afford it.
Posted by Kell | January 30, 2008 10:17 AM
Posted on January 30, 2008 10:17
@Kell: I can, what will you or your girlfriend do to make this happen? ;)
Posted by Allen | January 30, 2008 11:35 AM
Posted on January 30, 2008 11:35
"RENNtech Squeezes 695 Horsepower Out of the Mercedes S65, CL65 and SL65"
That's all?
Posted by Polynikes | January 30, 2008 12:33 PM
Posted on January 30, 2008 12:33
Bliss:
"I feel like this has been done by companies like Brabus before, thus rendering the car completely and utterly undrivable at speed because of the absurd amount of power it generates. Hopefully this isn't the case, but Jesus Christ, I can't imagine how a RWD car would handle that reasonably."
Other than AWD RWD is the most reasonable arrangement for getting that much power to the pavement. On acceleration weight is transfered to the rear of the car. Were this a FWD car the drive wheels would just spin whenever you hit the gas since all the weight would be on the rear wheels. F1 race cars peaked at over 1,000 HP in the turbo era and these cars were a lot lighter than a road car and they were RWD.
Likewise, when at maximum deceleration the front wheels do almost all the work.
Posted by Bruce Jackson | January 30, 2008 3:34 PM
Posted on January 30, 2008 15:34
Mecedes spends 14billion dollars a day in R&D of its vechicls and to think that a tuning company could get the best out of a chasis that was not developed by them is preposterouse. this car's power figures are astonishing and as a technical exercize i respect it but try to take a corner on a rainy day and youl find yourself going backwards and on fire into a brick wall. renntech should have one upped merc by re engenerring this vehicle to be AWD or throw the motor in the middle of the car or some other means of making it better not just stronger.
Posted by Dennisil | January 30, 2008 3:45 PM
Posted on January 30, 2008 15:45
@ Dennisil
I think you put the decimal in the wrong place...
Posted by Brd | January 30, 2008 4:26 PM
Posted on January 30, 2008 16:26
90 horsepower for $19,000. Not really impressive if you ask me.
Posted by Dave | January 30, 2008 4:36 PM
Posted on January 30, 2008 16:36
If they spent 14 billion a day, they'd be bankrupt in a mere two days.
Posted by Genius | January 30, 2008 5:20 PM
Posted on January 30, 2008 17:20
What's up with the BMW looking headlights?
Posted by SteelCity1981 | January 30, 2008 5:23 PM
Posted on January 30, 2008 17:23
Brabus does make more horsepower and torque, and they do look better, but Renntech is probably more drivable. I'd buy one if I could.
http://www.rsportscars.com/eng/cars/brabus_cl.asp
Posted by Cargasm | January 30, 2008 9:11 PM
Posted on January 30, 2008 21:11
I recently watched a Top Gear episode where Jeremy Clarkson drove one of these (or something similar) tricked out by Brabus. It put out somewhere around 800+ HP and even more torque. He basically states that the car is barely drivable. Their racing driver posted a pretty crappy time around the track. The general consensus was that the original car is better than the Brabus version.
Posted by gm0n3y | January 31, 2008 2:29 PM
Posted on January 31, 2008 14:29