GL AMG

Kleemann, best known for their extensive experience in Kompressor technology for Mercedes-Benz cars, now includes the other side of engine supercharging into their programme: turbo’s. As a result of the joint experience and efforts of Kleemann Denmark and Kleemann Dubai/GAE German Automotive Engineering, one of the worlds most beautiful and powerful SUV’s will be revealed on the Dubai Motor Show from November 13th 2007: The Kleemann ML63K Bi-turbo prototype.

New challenges, new partnerships

Faced with the challenge of bringing out the full potential from the highly sophisticated V8 engine in the ML 63 AMG, the Kleemann R&D department chose a turbo solution over one of their efficient Kompressor systems. This is also the main reason Kleemann teamed up with their partner in Dubai, GAE German Automotive Engineering, from who they gained valuable and up-to-date turbo knowledge and experience.

Sophisticated technology

“The advanced triple throttle system on the AMG engine ensures remarkable power and torque on the normally aspirated engine, but its function is too sensitive for the constant boost pressure of the Kompressor. This is why we wanted to try turbocharging the engine instead, so the whole throttle system only recieved boost pressure under max load. This prooved successful and resulted on both enormous power and driveability, made possible through the new technology of stand alone engine management, which we are also currently using for our Kompressor systems” says Claus Ankjaer, technical director at Kleemann.

“We reduced the compression ratio from 11,3:1 to 9,7:1 to leave space for more turbo boost pressure and this was achieved by installing thicker and much stronger headgaskets. The 2 ballbearing Garrett turbochargers are placed behind the engine where they are mounted on modified Kleemann tubular headers and the exhaust gasses continue through special Kleemann turbo downpipes and a stainless steel high flow Kleemann exhaust system. For cool and efficient engine conditions, the pressurised intake air flows through 2 flat high capacity air-to-water intercoolers placed on top of the engine” Horst Busch, director at GAE German Automotive Engineering explains.

Speed and safety go hand in hand

This complete engine modification result in the awesome power output of 800 HP and torque electronically limited to 1000 Nm. The standard ML 63 AMG 7G Speedshift gearbox needed no modifications to handle the power increase and it easily transfers every horsepower through the 4-Matic drivetrain and out to each of the 20″ Kleemann TS-7 wheels. Running on Pirelli P-Zero Rosso tires in the size 315/35 R20 and fitted with a Kleemann EBL suspension modification, the big SUV handles like a much smaller and lighter car. The raw performance data for the ML63K Bi-turbo places it at the very front of the competition. The 0-100 km/h acceleration is achieved in only 4 seconds and the SUV continues the brutal acceleration right up to the electronically limited top speed of 300 km/h.