The Mercedes CL 55 AMG F1 Limited Edition was the first production road car with ceramic brakes. Limited to only 55 units, this very special AMG luxury-coupé was modelled after the Formula 1 pace-car of the 2000s.
The car, available only in brilliant silver metallic, differed from its standard production counterpart in several other equipment details which stressed its genetic proximity to the Formula One Safety Car then in use. These included “F1 Limited Edition” lettering on the front wings, on the illuminated door sills and on the centre console, where its consecutive numbering was also shown. Front seats with a decidedly sporty feel and optimised side stability, black-and-silver leather upholstery with embroidered AMG logos, an AMG sports steering wheel with a perforated leather cover, carbon-fibre trim elements, the automatic selector lever featuring a combination of leather and carbon fibre and floor mats with AMG logos continued the motorsport philosophy in the interior.
The ceramic brakes
Another outstanding feature: the F1 Limited Edition was the world’s first street-legal car that decelerated by means of a ceramic brake system. In the event of full braking from top speed, it provided a braking power of up to 1,471 kW (2,000 hp). This exceptional braking performance was the result of a combination of internally ventilated brake discs made of fibre-reinforced ceramic and the eight-piston brake callipers developed by the supplier, Brembo.
This technology was completely new for production cars at the time. The advantages included very sensitive response to braking actions, extremely high thermal resistance and reduced weight of the brake discs, which were 60 per cent lighter than conventional steel discs. The noticeable reduction in unsprung masses allowed the driver of this special model to experience both improved vehicle dynamics and greater driving enjoyment.
Quick Facts | |
Year | 2000 |
Cylinders | 8 |
Displacement | 5439 ccm (332 ci) |
Horsepower | 360 |
Top Speed | 250 km/h (155 mph) |
0-60mph / 0-100kmh | 6.0 s |
Engine | |
Type | naturally-aspirated V8 |
Position | front |
Displacement | 5439 ccm (332 ci) |
Compression Ratio | 10.5:1 |
Boost Pressure | / |
max. RPM | / |
max. Torque @RPM | 530 Nm (391 lb-ft) @4500 |
max. Horsepower @RPM | 360 @5500 |
Valves/Cylinder | 3 |
Valvecontrol | OHC |
Transmission | |
Drivetrain | RWD |
Type | 5-speed automatic |
Gear Ratios (rear) | 3.59 - 2.19 - 1.41 - 1.00 - 0.83 (3.16) |
Final Axel Ratio | 2.82 |
Design | |
Seats | 4 |
Doors | 2 |
Length/Width/Height | 4993/1857/1398 mm (197/73/55 in) |
Weight | 1865 kg (4111 lbs) |
Paint Options | as displayed |
Interior Colour Options | as displayed |
Interior Materials | leather |
Cw value | 0.28 |
Design by | Mercedes |
Performance | |
Top Speed | 250 km/h (155 mph) |
0-60mph / 0-100kmh | 6.0 s |
60-120mph / 100-200kmh | 11.2 s |
60-0mph / 100-0kmh | / |
1/4 Mile | 13.5 s |
Price | |
New | ≈ 330,000 DM (270,000 $ today) |
Used | ≈ 150,000 $ |
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