With a wide range of engines, Mercedes-Benz can meet the widest range of driver needs. Whether you want economy or speed and power, you'll find the right option for you. One choice that's perfect for those who want to go fast is the CLS 550 with the M278 engine.
The StartLine Motors enhanced Mercedes-Benz CLS 550 is equipped with a V-shaped, 8-cylinder, twin-turbocharged petrol engine with 400 horsepower and 600 Nm of torque as standard. Upgrades double the engine's power.
To create the world's fastest Mercedes-Benz CLS 550, StartLine Motors first replaced the standard turbochargers. In their place, hybrid turbines from the M157 engine originally fitted to AMG 63 models were installed, as well as a supercharger valve, which is not fitted as standard.
Modifications have also been made to the fuel supply system. The car is fitted with a more efficient fuel pump to ensure that the required amount of fuel is delivered, as well as a methanol injection system, which is one of the key elements in achieving the required power output. In addition, the air intake system is also modified to ensure more efficient cooling of the air entering the engine.
After increasing the power of the M278 engine fitted to this CLS 550, it was found that the gearbox was too weak and, in order to enjoy the full power potential of the car, it was necessary to carry out some mechanical modifications to the gearbox, replacing the weakest components with stronger ones.
Once all the mechanical improvements have been made to the car, and in order to maximise the engine's power and the gearbox's precision, it is best to replace the factory settings with new ones. StartLine specialists point out that the automatic gearbox fitted to this car has a limiter that prevents it from delivering more than 700 Nm of torque.
It is therefore important to remove this limitation and to record a new transmission control programme that allows the engine to use its full power and ensures optimum gear shifting. If this is not done, not only will the car not reach its full potential, but it will also not enjoy a smooth ride, and many mechanical modifications will simply not make much sense. StartLine is one of the few companies in the world that can solve these problems.
While the M278 engine is by no means weak, even the most powerful version, with 449 horsepower and 700 Nm of torque, does not deliver its full potential.
Regardless of the power version and model, the engine can be increased to 510 horsepower. This is achieved without any mechanical modifications, simply by reprogramming the engine management computer. The exhaust system can also be modified for this level of power increase, but this does not provide any noticeable benefit other than a different, more muscular exhaust note.
If 510 horsepower is still too low, it is possible to go a step further and reach the 670 horsepower limit. To achieve this, much more mechanical changes will have to be made. One of these is the installation of new, larger turbochargers instead of the standard ones. For the M278 engine, the turbochargers fitted to the larger displacement and more powerful M157 engine are perfectly suitable.
Another mandatory modification for 670 horsepower is the redesign of the air cooling system supplied to the turbines. Since the intercoolers of the M278 turbochargers are cooled by a liquid that comes from the same place as the coolant for the engine, these systems must be separated. This is the only way to achieve maximum turbine efficiency. This work is carried out in StartLine Motors workshops.
StartLine can also carry out adjustments to the automatic gearbox to ensure smooth gear shifting. This means that the gears are shifted at the most appropriate moment, without losing engine dynamics and maintaining peak power. This allows you to enjoy smooth and quick acceleration.
